And now a technique that is very closely related to yesterday’s waterlining tutorial. Although the two techniques are often confused, there is definitely a big difference between lining your waterline and tightlining.
With tightlining, what you are doing is targeting the area between your lashes in order to enhance your lashes and make them look more lush. It’s a very targeted technique as opposed to lining your waterline, which is covering the entire area with liner.
You can use a pencil or powder for tightlining, but I prefer to use a gel liner. In this example, I’m using a Stila Smudge Pot in Black with a very, very thin brush. The brush is a no-name one I picked up somewhere along the way, but I would recommend MAC’s #210 brush as well.
Ready? Let’s start with my naked eye (bonus points if you can tell me which band sang the song “Naked Eye”).
What you are doing with tightlining is pushing the liner right in between your lashes. It takes time, but it does get easier with practice.
Here’s a little diagram to help you visualize the technique.
Don’t ever claim that I’m not dedicated with these photos. Now you’ve been exposed to every fine wrinkle under my eye. Yes, I do love you all that much.
I don’t usually tightline the bottom lashes — it’s a matter of personal preference. With the upper lash, I’ll tightline from end to end. Here’s the finished look without mascara. Just a little extra “oomph”, which in my opinion is never a bad thing!
And with mascara and nothing else … kaPOW!
‘Scuze the spider lashes. I’ve been a bad beauty blogger and have put off replacing my Dior Show for far too long!
Tightlining is a great eye enhancing technique when you don’t necessarily want to pile on a ton of makeup, or in the case that you want a little something different in your usual eye makeup application. Like I said, it does take practice, but it does get easier over time. Remember, you want to PUSH the brush into your lashes — just keep pushing the brush right along the lash line.
Do you have any tips/tricks/advice/product recs to share that you’ve used with tightlining?
Lucious Jackson sang Naked Eye!!! My friend and I used to listen to the CD single and we thought they were saying naughty words, but they really weren’t.
Great tut! I never knew there was something called ‘tightlining’.
Ooo, very nice and natural looking! Me likey!
I love that look! Something else for me to try. I tried waterlining my upper lids this morning and I found out that my eyelids are extremely ticklish and sensitive. It was almost as bad as poking myself in the eye, so I guess I’m going to have to stick to just the bottom lid only for waterlining.
Ding, ding, ding! Way to go, Nessa!
Now I’m confused. I line my waterline AND push it into my lashes. Im just going to keep calling it tightlining ;]
Just stumbled on your site – omg, thank you so much! My mom never wore any makeup and as an adult I STRUGGLE with how to put on anything but blush rofl… I can’t wait to see the whole blog!
hugs!
Kim @ http://frostmeblog.blogspot.com
party inspiration
Thank you, Kim! Enjoy the blog!!!!
Great post and blog! Check out Lauren Luke’s tutorial on how to get the Lady Gaga’s latest look
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gPr96vTqveM
Laura Mercier Cosmetics makes a product specifically for this. It’s a water activated cake liner, called “tightline.” It’s amazing.
Thanks, Samantha, for the product heads up!
Thank you for the step by step w/ photos guidance ^^
You’re welcome!
I think your pictures are really helpful. It’s hard to just write and explain tightlining so the pictures bring it to life.
Thank you, Marcia!
The photos are so helpful! Until I saw this post, I thought tightlining was just waterlining the upper lids.
Would you recommend this strategy for someone someone with hooded eyes? What about using colors? I am a blonde with pale skin and heavy or hooded blue-gray eyes, do you have any suggestions?
Thank you,
Jules
The beauty of this technique is that it’s universal – looks great on all eye shapes! Try an eggplant liner to enhance your baby blues!
Great tutorial! We’d love for you to share some on Taaz!
Well I guessed the Who, because they came out with Naked Eye FIRST! Anyway, awesome tutorial! Can’t wait to check out the rest of the page!
Thank you!!!
It looks really nice and natural for a day or work look, but I’m sure I’d just poke myself in the eye!
Thank you for this. I really have problems doing this because I keep on poking my eyes and usually, I ask my little sister to do it for me.
Your naked eyes are gorgeous. So clear and bright!! Thanks for the tutorial.
If you have droopy lids this is a great way to line your eyes…no smug on your upper lids ladies!