Your Ultimate Guide to Applying Eyeliner Pencil

Eyeliner is arguably the hardest part of an entire makeup routine. It can feel extremely high stakes: after all, mess up your eyeliner, and you might also mess up your eyeshadow and under-eye concealer. 

If you have a shaky hand but you want the definition this crucial step can provide, a pencil eyeliner is the best way to go. Here, we’re breaking down when to use a pencil eyeliner, how to apply it, and even sharing a few tips and tricks.

When to Choose Pencil Eyeliner

If you’re new to using makeup or don’t generally go beyond a swipe of mascara when applying eye makeup, pencil eyeliners–like the TARTE Double Duty Beauty™ Easy On The Eyes Clay Liner–are an ideal way to get started. This type of liner is a solid formula that’s usually made up of a blend of waxes, silicones, and oils. They’re much easier to control than something like liquid eyeliner and create a clean, natural-looking line. Pencil liners can also be easily smudged (many even come with a built-in smudging tool), making it easy to create a smoky, sultry look. 

These eyeliners aren’t just for newbies, though. Pencil liner can create a softer look–great for those times when you want your eyes to pop without it being obvious that you’re wearing liner. It’s also great for smudgy cat-eyes and tightlining, the technique of using eyeliner along on the waterline for all-over eye definition.

Applying Pencil Eyeliner, Step-by-Step

Now that you know what pencil liner can do, let's go over how to apply it. Follow along for a step-by-step guide. 

How to Apply Pencil Eyeliner to Your Upper Lash Line

Step 1: Choose the right color.

The right eyeliner color for you is entirely a matter of personal preference. As a general rule of thumb, black eyeliner will create a more dramatic effect while brown liner will offer something a bit more neutral. You can also step outside the box with colored eye pencils. These make for really fun, easily-executed statement looks. 

Step 2: Prep and prime your eyelid.

The one downside of pencil eyeliner is that it typically doesn’t last as long as other types of liners. To make sure your liner lasts as long as possible, wipe away any excess oil on the lid and use an eye primer. 

Step 3: Apply your eyeliner.

Gently pulling your eyelid taught, apply liner in small dashes from the center of the eyelid to the outer corner of the eye staying as close to the lash line as possible. Use the pencil’s point for a super thin line or more of the pencil’s side for a thicker line. Once you’ve connected all the dashes, creating one smooth line, move the pencil to the inner corner of the eye and use the same technique to fill in the liner from the inner lash line to the center. 

How to Apply Pencil Eyeliner to Your Lower Lash Line

Once you’ve achieved a smooth line along the upper lash line, you can leave it just like that or you can move onto your lower lash line for a more dramatic effect. This is ideal if you’re going for a smoky eye. 

Step 1: Clean up your lower lash line.

Typically, you’ll apply pencil liner to the lower lash line after you’ve already applied eyeshadow and liner to the upper lash line. Make sure there’s no fallout around your lower lash line. If there is, gently wipe it away using a cotton swab so that you start with a fresh, clean base.

Step 2: Apply your eyeliner.

Using the same technique as noted for the upper lash line, apply liner from the center of the lower lash line outwards in small dashes. Once all those dashes create one smooth line, go back to the inner corner of your eye and create a line from there to the center.  

How to Apply Pencil Eyeliner to Your Waterline

If you’re going to waterline your eyes, there’s no better type of liner to do it with than an eye pencil. This is an especially great technique to use if you have small eyes or hooded eyelids. If you choose to only apply along the waterline (sometimes referred to as tightlining), it won’t take up any space on your lid, leaving more room for eyeshadow. You can also incorporate tightlining into the other two steps listed above for an extra defined eyeliner look. 

Step 1: Find your waterline.

Use your ring finger to gently pull up on your lower lid. This should expose your lower waterline located above your lash line. It’s that little ledge of skin between your lid and your eye. 

Step 2: Fill in your waterline.

Place the pencil on your waterline, angling to avoid poking your eye (ouch!). Gently swipe just above your lash line from the outer edge of your eye to the inner corner of your eye, filling in any gaps along the way. The result should be a smooth line that provides subtle definition and an overall natural look. For even more definition, repeat this process and tightline along the upper waterline as well.

Pencil Eyeliner Tips + Tricks

As with all beauty products, there are a handful of helpful tips and even some fun tricks you can practice and play with when using pencil eyeliner. Here are a few of our favorites. 

Tip #1: Use a Nude Eyeliner Pencil in Your Waterline

Using a light-colored eyeliner is a super effective way to make eyes appear larger. Typically, this is done using a white eyeliner pencil, but for a more subtle alternative, use a nude-colored liner to create a similar effect. Apply this along your waterline to make your eyes look brighter and more awake. 

Tip #2: Set Your Eyeliner with Eyeshadow for All-Day Wear

As we mentioned, one of pencil eyeliner’s major downsides is its shorter wear time. To keep your eyeliner looking better for longer, set it with a matte black eyeshadow. Using an eyeshadow brush, lightly pat the shadow along the line you’ve created. This can also help to fill in any little mistake you may have made with the pencil liner. 

Tip #3: Try the “Dot” Method for a Subtle Look

If you don’t want it to look like you’re wearing eyeliner but still want your upper and lower lashes to appear fuller, create tiny dots or dashes as close to your lash line as possible. Use a super light hand and then gently smudge the line with a cotton swab. Pro tip: Use a dark brown pencil to execute this trick. It'll create the ultimate au naturale effect.

Tip #4: No Time for Eyeshadow? Smudge Your Eyeliner

If you don’t have time for a full smoky eye, but you want a quicker version of the look, simply smudge your pencil eyeliner. Do this by applying a thick line along the upper lash line (and lower lash line as well if you like), really making sure there’s a good amount of liner there. Then, smudge away using a smudging brush (or your finger if you’re really in a rush). Extend the liner a bit past the outer end of your upper lash line for a winged eyeliner look.