by Yve-Marie Archer

Created on: February 02, 2007   Last Updated: February 02, 2010

The trick to using eyeliner inside or outside the lash line lies in three main areas: the shape of the eye, the desired effect, and the color of the eyeliner.
First and foremost, the shape of the eye you wish you were born with can often be created using eyeliner correctly. For example, for large, round eyes, using a dark, thick line around the outside of the lashes will make the eye appear smaller and even more elongated. Putting dark eyeliner on the inside of the lashes make those same eyes look even smaller than that, so ask yourself how small you want to go.

For those not interested in recreating the shape of their eyes, but instead letting their natural shape stand out, try the following. Using a soft neutral color like black or brown, smudge a very thin line of color right into the base of the eyelashes. You are trying to create the appearance of thick, full, luscious lashes instead of a heavily lined eye. This looks very clean and natural and is great for those who don't typically like the "made up" look on themselves.

And finally, the last trick to knowing where to place eyeliner lies in the color. An old trick of the trade used by make-up artists for years on models and actresses includes the trusty white eyeliner pencil. When used on the inner rims of the eyelashes, the white area of the eye looks larger and more prominent, and even more awake- a must for those in the spotlight.

So when choosing where to put that eyeliner, think of this rule of thumb- dark colors recede and contract, where as light colors pop and project. So give eyeliner a try and see what sort of color combinations and creations you can achieve.

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