Any great makeup artist or cosmetic enthusiast knows that eyeliner is essential for a finished full face. However, since the beginning of makeup, there has been the age-old question- Is there such a thing as too much eyeliner? In the ’80s, eyeliner was thick and noticeable. As of late, more natural looks with less liner have become more popular. So what is the right amount of eyeliner? Let’s discuss!
Is there such a thing as too much eyeliner?
The beautiful thing about makeup is that, like art, it is objective. If you and I did each other’s makeup for the day, odds are that neither of us would live the final look because it is not what we are used to. If you love heavy eyeliner and you feel that it suits your face and features then there really is no such thing as “too much”. It all depends on that look that you are going for.
How much eyeliner is too much?
As a rule of thumb, makeup is generally used to enhance your natural features, opposed to totally changing the entire look of your face. This, again, is objective, and if you want to totally change your entire appearance, go for it! However, if you are going off of the idea that you want to enhance what you already have, then too much eyeliner would be when it goes from giving your eyes a little “pop” to totally taking over your face.
There are different ideas to this. For instance, if you have winged eyeliner, your wings going out too far might be “too much” as it is distracting. But again, if you like big wings on your eyeliner, let them soar! For regular eyeliner, people say to keep it as close to your lash line on your eyelid as the eyeliner will allow. However, if you enjoy the rocker chick look of raccoon-like eyes, then don’t let anyone stop you!
The bottom line here is that your makeup should make you feel confident, beautiful, and proud to be in your own skin. For some people, this could be no eyeliner at all. For others, it can be aggressive big circles of eyeliner halfway up their eyelid! The trick is to find what looks best on you, and what is going to help you feel like your very best self.
Is it bad to wear too much eyeliner?
Makeup is not morally good or bad, it is only bad when it makes you feel uncomfortable in your own skin. Wearing too much eyeliner does not make you look “good” or “bad”, it’s all about if the amount compliments your personal style.
And guess what? If you feel like you’re wearing too much, there’s nothing wrong with taking a little off and reapplying! You should feel comfortable enough in your makeup journey to make mistakes and get a little messy, in the words of Miss Frizzle.
Do not worry about if it is bad or good to wear any kind of makeup, simply follow your heart, try new things, and do whatever you feel the most comfortable doing.
Is it bad to wear eyeliner every day?
As we’ve mentioned plenty of times up until now, there is really no “bad” or “good” when it comes to eyeliner. The only thing you may want to consider when wearing eyeliner every day is your water line. Your waterline is the line on your lower eyelid where people often wear eyeliner.
If you wear eyeliner every day and don’t properly clean it off, it can sometimes block the pores in your lower lid. If you are going to wear eyeliner every day, consider not wearing it on your waterline.
If you do want to wear bottom liner, that is fine, just make sure you are thoroughly cleaning your face every night. It is very wise to invest in a good, high-quality cleanser and to make sure that washing your face is a solid and important part of your night routine. After all, a no-makeup look is worth risking your eye health for!
The do’s and don’ts of wearing eyeliner
As you explore the world of makeup and eyeliner, there are a few steadfast “do’s” and “don’ts” that you want to be cognizant of. For starters, DO try different color eyeliners! While black is typically seen the most, it is not always the right color for everybody. You can experiment with dark browns, greys, and even silvers. If you want a really fun and unique look, experiment with color! Light blue, purple, even pink eyeliners can be a fun way to express yourself.
DO make sure to sharpen your eyeliner pencil. You will have way more success with a sharp pencil than a blunt one and will have way more control overall on how your look turns out.
DON’T skimp out on eyeliner brands. It is no secret that some brands are better than others, and you may have to buy a few before you find the brand that is the right fit for you. Keep a running list of brands that you’ve tried and how you’ve felt about them. Create your own ranking system so that you can find the best brands for you, your look, and your needs. The higher quality of make-up you buy, the longer it will tend to stay in place throughout the day.
At the end of the day, it is important to remember that all make-up, eyeliner included, is meant to make you feel beautiful and confident. While there is no universal magic amount of eyeliner that is considered “too much” or “not enough”, it is important to play around with your look until you decide what is right for you.
