How to Tightline Eyes

Co-authored by Yuka Arora

Last Updated: September 9, 2024 Approved

Tightlining, also called invisible eyeliner, is a technique in which you line your upper waterline to subtly define and thicken the appearance of your eyelashes. While this technique might seem complicated because you’re lining your upper waterline, it’s actually quite easy and produces a slight yet noticeable enhancement.

Part 1

Part 1 of 2:

Readying Your Eyes For Tightlining

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1
Apply an eye primer to your lids. Although it's optional, primer evens out your skin tone and helps your makeup last longer.^{[1]
X
Expert Source

Yuka Arora
Makeup Artist

Expert Interview. 30 August 2018.} This will keep your eye liner in place. Dab a small amount of primer onto your lids using a makeup brush or the pad of your ring finger.
- Allow the primer to dry before you continue.
2
Cover your under eye circles with concealer, if you have them. Choose a concealer that is the same shade as your skin or 1 shade lighter. Using a concealer brush or your finger, lightly dab the concealer under your eye.
- You can apply the concealer over foundation, if you're wearing it.
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Since tightlining requires applying eyeliner closer to your eyeball, make sure that your chosen eyeliner is waterproof. Choose pencil eyeliner that twists up for the easiest application.^{[2]
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Research source} The eyeliner can be any color, but for a “natural” look, try to use an eyeliner that matches your eyelash color (brown, light brown, or black).
4
Sharpen your pencil. Your waterline is more vulnerable to infection than the rest of your eyelid. To remove bacteria that can collect on makeup implements, sharpen your eyeliner pencil each time before tightlining. A sharp pencil is also easier to use for this precise task.
- Do not borrow someone else's eyeliner. Sharing eyeliner can introduce foreign bacteria to your eyes, which can result in an infection.
5
Hold your upper eyelid in place. Raise your chin to tilt your head back a little bit and look up.^{[3]
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Research source} While your eyelashes are grazing your brow bone, use a cue tip or the end of a dry makeup brush to press your lashes upward and hold them in place on your brow bone. Now you can look down while keeping your upper waterline exposed.
- If you're having trouble exposing your waterline, gently increase the upward pull on your lashes until your eyelid is stretched taut.
- You may use your finger instead, but the heavier pressure may cause creases and make even application more difficult.

Part 2

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Applying The Eyeliner

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1
Line your upper waterline. Start by placing your eyeliner vertically on the outer corner of your waterline. Your waterlines are the moist rims near the base of your eyelashes, which come in contact with each other when you blink.^{[4]
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Research source} Trace your upper waterline back and forth with your eyeliner.^{[5]
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Research source} Do this two or three times, depending on how deep you want the color to be. Repeat on your other eye.
- Don’t trace your eyeliner all the way into the inner corner of your eye. This will make your tightlining look unnatural. Stop when your get to the area where your tear duct starts, or where your lashes start to thin out.^{[6]
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- If you plan to only tightline your upper lid (which makes your eyes look bigger), take care not to blink while applying. If you blink before the eyeliner dries, you'll transfer a little eyeliner to the lower lid and lose the effect. Using eye drops before you begin may help.
- If you do blink and transfer a bit of eyeliner to your lower waterline, you can dab it away using a clean cotton swab.
2
Fill in space between lashes. You may use the same eyeliner for this, or an eye shadow of a similar color. If using eyeliner, gently stipple and dot the spaces between your lashes. If using eye shadow, push it up into the base of your lashes.^{[7]
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Research source}^{[8]
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- If you use eye shadow to fill in the spaces between your lashes, make sure to use an angled edged brush. This will help add pigment with precision.
3
Emphasize your lower lashes (optional). If you would like a little more pop to your look, gently run your eyeliner near the base of your lower eyelashes.^{[9]
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Research source} Most people apply this just below the lower waterline, not directly on it. Be aware that dark eyeliner on your lower lids can make your eyes look smaller.
- Try not to make this lining too thick or too dark, because it will detract from your natural makeup look. Do this on both of your eyes.
- Taper your liner off about 2/3 of the way to your inside corner. This will prevent the liner from making your eyes look smaller.
4
Curl your eyelashes (optional). If you like, use an eyelash curler to curl your lashes. Open up the curler, fit your lashes in the curler’s open space, and gently close the curler shut. Make sure the rubber strip of the curler is right at the base of your eyelashes. Softly squeeze the curler with a pulsating rhythm.^{[10]
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Research source} Curl both of your eyelashes in this way.
- For added curl, after squeezing the curler vertically, turn the curler horizontally (following the curve of your eyeball) and squeeze a couple more times.^{[11]
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- Always curl your eyelashes using light pressure. If you feel pain or discomfort, adjust the curler and try again.
5
Apply a neutral eyeshadow that works with your skin tone. You can choose a good neutral color by staying within 2 shades of your natural lip, cheek, and eyelid colors. For darker skin, they also include plums. This will enhance your eyes while still keeping your look natural. Use an eyeshadow brush to lightly apply a thin layer of shadow.^{[12]
X
Expert Source

Yuka Arora
Makeup Artist

Expert Interview. 30 August 2018.}
- Popular neutral colors include peaches, pinks, and golds.^{[13]
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  Research source}
- For example, you might choose a pink lipstick that nearly matches your lip color.

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Question

How can I tightline my eyes without smudging?

Yuka Arora
Makeup Artist
Yuka Arora is a self-taught makeup artist who specializes in abstract eye art. She has been experimenting with makeup art for over 5 years, and has amassed over 5.6K Instagram followers in just 5 months. Her colorful and abstract looks have been noticed by Jeffree Star Cosmetics, Kat Von D Beauty, Sephora Collection, among others.

Yuka Arora

Makeup Artist

Expert Answer

Work slowly and carefully while you're applying your makeup. If your makeup usually smudges later in the day, put on a primer first so it doesn't run.

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Question

What is the waterline of the eye?

Laura Martin
Licensed Cosmetologist
Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist based in Milledgeville, Georgia. She has been working as a hair stylist since 2007, and began a career as a cosmetology teacher in 2013. She worked as a teacher at Arrojo Cosmetology School, teaching cosmetology practices, hairstyling, and hair color application. She also brought her cosmetology expertise to her work as a staff writer for fashion blog Style Noted, writing pieces related to hair and fashion. She received an MFA in Creative Writing from Georgia College & State University, where she was also an English Teaching Fellow. Additionally, she received a BA in Creative Writing and Literature from New York University.

Laura Martin

Licensed Cosmetologist

Expert Answer

The waterline is the thin strip of skin between your lashes and your eye. It is more visible on the lower lashes and less visible on the top lashes.

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Question

Is it bad to put eyeliner on the waterline?

Laura Martin
Licensed Cosmetologist
Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist based in Milledgeville, Georgia. She has been working as a hair stylist since 2007, and began a career as a cosmetology teacher in 2013. She worked as a teacher at Arrojo Cosmetology School, teaching cosmetology practices, hairstyling, and hair color application. She also brought her cosmetology expertise to her work as a staff writer for fashion blog Style Noted, writing pieces related to hair and fashion. She received an MFA in Creative Writing from Georgia College & State University, where she was also an English Teaching Fellow. Additionally, she received a BA in Creative Writing and Literature from New York University.

Laura Martin

Licensed Cosmetologist

Expert Answer

You want to be as careful as possible not to get eyeliner in your eyes. If they are irritated or sensitive, you should avoid lining the waterline.

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Tips

You can make the line as thick or thin as you like, although a thin line is more desirable.

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Shaping your eyebrows before you get started will improve your final look.

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It helps to look in the opposite direction to where you are applying eyeliner. When you're lining the inner corner, look toward the outer corner, and vice versa. This should minimize eye watering.

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Warnings

Be careful to not poke your eye while lining. Take it slow.

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This method can cause lasting damage to your meibomian glands (the glands in your eyelids which contribute the oily component to your tears and which open at the "waterline") so please consider another application style if you experience dry eye symptoms, use digital devices, or would like to preserve the health and function of your meibomian glands longterm!^{[citation needed]}

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