Wear Pencil Eyeliner The Right Way – Tutorial

Figure out how to create the perfect look with this effortless makeup tool.

Reviewed by Vaibhavi Gupte, Makeup Artist
Written by Jyotsana Rao, BE
Edited by Madhumati Chowdhury, MA (English Literature)
Fact-checked by Bhumika Daga, MA (English)  • 

Whether it is a pen eyeliner, gel eyeliner, or pencil eyeliner, this wonder makeup product makes your eyes appear stunning. If you are a novice who wants to know how to wear pencil eyeliner perfectly, this article is just for you. Here, you will read about a step-by-step guide that helps create perfect thick lines on lashes.

Numerous pencil eyeliners are available in the market, and you should know how to choose the right one for the perfect lines. You can also use a kohl pencil to achieve subtle lines, but you can craft your eye makeup to perfection just with an eyeliner. It also defines your eyes by giving a shape to them. In addition, you can also add color or shades to make your eyes look more significant. However, a thick eyeliner can give an artsy look when you prefer nude lips. Moreover, eyeliner can assist in giving your eyes a smoky look. But the most crucial point to remember is your hand must be steady while applying eyeliner.

protip_icon Keep In Mind
  • Product: Product Look for a pencil eyeliner with an inbuilt sharpener or one that comes with a sharpener. Eye pencils cannot be sharpened with regular sharpeners.
  • Formula: Product For dry skin, pick a pencil with a creamy formula that glides easily.
  • Color: Product You can use eye color pencils like green, white, and turquoise to make your eyes pop.
  • Application: Product Use the pencil eyeliner on your lower waterline or under your eye to create a full smokey eye effect.

Woman applying a thick line of eyeliner after applying a thin line
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Image: Shutterstock

Is Pencil Eyeliner Better For Beginners?

Pencil eyeliners are perfect for those beginning their makeup journey due to their ease of use. Their soft texture allows for a more controlled application, making it simpler to create precise lines as compared to liquid or gel liners.

Other reasons why pencil liners are popular among beginners are they do not smudge easily, even with shaky hands and deliver a softer look as compared to liquid liners. The user-friendly nature of pencil eyeliners makes them an excellent choice for makeup newbies, offering a smoother learning curve and providing the flexibility to experiment with different looks.

Pencil eyeliners are easy to use and will help you perfect those lines in no time. But before you reach that stage, it is important to learn the right way to apply a pencil eyeliner. Check out our simple guide below to know more.

Beginners can start applying the eyeliner from thin lines and move forward to thick lines.

Analiese, a blogger, shared her experience of using pencil eyeliners, and why it works for her. She writes, “After a particularly traumatic experience with a liquid eyeliner in my teens, I only used the humble Pencil Eyeliner.” She further stated, “I tend to use pencil eyeliner on my waterline every day as I think it further defines my eyes.” The blogger is also of the opinion that pencil eyeliners are more forgiving, noting, “Pencil is relatively easy to correct though, so you can fix a multitude of sins by stylistically smudging your mistakes or removing and redoing your liner (i).”

Applying eyeliner is no magic; you need to practice a lot for perfection. Keep scrolling down to know all about the art of applying eyeliner!

There are many tips, tricks, and techniques you can follow and master to achieve a waterproof, flawless, and long-lasting look. However, they can all be summed up in a few key points. Whether you are aiming for a bold winged cat-eye look or a glamorous style, the way you blend your cosmetics and the method of beauty product application matters most. Look at professional videos and emulate expert techniques to get some fashion inspiration. Here are a few simple steps that will help you to properly wear the eyeliner using an eye liner pencil:

  • Clean & prime your eyes. If you have oily lids apply some loose powder as this will make the eyeliner stay longer on the lids.
protip_icon Quick Tip
Apply a thin layer of powder eye shadow similar to the color of your eyeliner to enhance your look.
  • Start drawing a line from the middle of the lid along the upper lash line to the outer corner. If you don’t get a line properly along the lash line, don’t worry, as you can always fill in the gap afterwards. Tracing a proper line is important.
protip_icon Quick Tip
If you wear contact lenses or are allergic to certain ingredients, look for hypoallergenici  XThe property of products or formulations that are less likely to produce a reaction when used than others. formulas in eyeliners.
  • Again from the middle of the lid trace a line to the inner corner along the lash line. Make sure that you trace a thin line.
  • Once you have finished doing this, fill in the gap between the traced line and the lash line by moving the eye liner pencil in light strokes. It is ok if you get a thick line for the first time. After practicing a few times, you will get used to it and be able to create lines the way you want.

  • From the outer corner along the lower lash line draw a line towards the inner corner. Start drawing from the point where the line on the outer corner of the upper lash line ends.
  • Once you have finished doing this, use your fingers or a smudge brush. Smudge the line on the lower lash line a bit.

Tip before applying the eyeliner on eyelids : Stretch your eyelid slightly from the outer corner so that you will get a smooth eyeliner finish without any cracks.

Take a little amount of loose power in an eyeliner brush and apply it below the smudged line. This will prevent your eye liner from smudging further. You can do the same thing for the upper lash line also. Finish off with some good coats of mascara.

Lining the eyes may seem challenging in the beginning. It’s because using an eye pencil requires precision. However, with practice, you can easily master this skill. This step-by-step tutorial is easy to follow and is beneficial for those who find it tough to maneuver eyeliners and eye pencils. Don’t forget to dab a little bit of loose powder to limit smudging. Now get your hands on the eyeliner you want to add to your eye makeup kit, follow this article on how to wear pencil eyeliner, and start practicing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is pencil eyeliner good for beginners?

Yes, pencil eyeliners are an excellent option and the easier way to start using eyeliners than liquid eyeliners.

Do you wet pencil eyeliner?

Yes, you can wet the tip of your pencil eyeliner to create a sharp and dramatic look.

Should I use liquid eyeliner or pencil eyeliner?

You can start by using a pencil eyeliner to get more comfortable. Once you are confident and have had enough practice, you can switch to liquid eyeliner.

Should I wear brown or black eyeliner?

This depends on the type of look you are going for. If you want a more warm, soft, and natural look, you can opt for brown eyeliner. A black eyeliner is perfect for creating a sharp and sultry look.

Key Takeaways

  • Pencil eyeliners define and highlight your eyes and offer a dramatic look.
  • Eyes look more dramatic when you start drawing a line from the inner corner of the eye and work outwards.
  • You can get that smoky effect by smudging the eyeliner with a brush and adding loose powder below the smudged line.
  • Mascara is perfect to finish the look as it enhances the eyelashes.


Master the art of pencil eyeliner application! Watch this tutorial video for step-by-step guidance and expert tips to achieve a flawless finish.

Personal Experience: Source

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