As an avid eyeliner lover for most of my life, incorporating my trusty waterproof liner in my makeup routine is a non-negotiable. From a short-lived emo phase to finally perfecting the classic cat-eye, I’ve done it all—or at least I thought I have. While getting my makeup done before a dinner, the makeup artist worked her magic on me and asked if I wanted to tightline my eyes. When I asked her what tightlining was, she just smiled and told me to watch. The rest was history.
What is tightlining and how can you do it on your own? See what this genius makeup technique entails, below, straight from the experts.
What Is Tightlining?
According to celebrity makeup artist Kirin Bhatty, tightlining is the makeup technique of creating the “invisible liner effect.” You fill the space on the top waterline to make the lash line appear to have no blank spaces, thus making your lashes look fuller and darker. “It’s a great way to incorporate liner in a foolproof, non-intimidating way,” Bhatty says.
Tightlining comes with other benefits too. Celebrity makeup artist Dani Parkes says that you’ll bring out the color in your eye, make liner look more seamless, and give you the appearance of a lash tint when apply this technique to your overall makeup look.
How to Tightline the Eyes
There are a couple of ways to do this. Bhatty likes to use a gel liner and a thin angled liner brush to line the top waterline. She says to dip the brush into the liner, but be careful not to coat the brush all the way to the base. (Get excess product off onto a palette or the back of your hand, she says). Then you’ll press brush onto the top waterline until you get your desired effect.
“It should blend seamlessly and make it look like there is no blank space between your lashes and the lash line,” she adds. “If there is any transfer to your bottom waterline, feel free to remove with a q-tip and eye makeup remover.”
Parkes likes to use a waterproof eyeliner pencil for its longevity. She says to lift your lid with one hand and while you look down, draw in the top lash line (the same way you would draw on the bottom). She adds that she likes to draw liner and press it into the inner corner for that “feline look” without being too overt.
You can use any color you’d like to tightline your eyes. Bhatty likes to reach for black to match the color of most lashes and mascaras; she says it’s the best option to get that invisible liner effect. She says that she likes to use something like the Bobbi Brown Perfectly Defined Gel Liner or the MAC Cosmetics Pro Longwear Fluidline Eyeliner in Black Track. She also likes Chanel Calligraphie de Chanel with the Chanel Angled Liner Brush.
Parkes loves to use brown. “Brown is my favorite color and brings out eye colors such as green and blue,” she says. “It also makes your eyes look more sultry. I think it’s really cool [to wear] no mascara but tightline my eyes with a brown liner.” Her go-to is the Makeup by Mario Master Pigment Pro in Perfect Brown, but also likes the Revlon Pencil Eyeliner as they will last all day and come in great colors.
So if this has piqued your interest, give it a try. Chances are high you won’t regret picking up this eyeliner technique. “It’s a beautiful way to make your eyes pop without using a lot of product or skill,” says Bhatty. “It’s really a wonderful way to elevate any makeup look.”
