To apply bottom eyeliner, anchor your elbow, sketch tiny dashes along the lower lashes, then soften and set for clean, lasting definition.
Bottom liner frames your eyes, balances a top-heavy look, and can even make lashes seem fuller. The trick is control: light pressure, short strokes, and smart product choices. This guide gives you fast, practical steps for every style—soft daytime haze, crisp evening edge, and contact-lens-safe tweaks—plus pro fixes for smudges and transfer.
Choose The Right Formula And Tools
Different formulas behave in different ways under the eye. Pick one that serves your goal, then match it with the right tool and setting method.
| Type | Best For | Pros & Watch-Outs |
|---|---|---|
| Waterproof Pencil | All-day wear; humid weather | Glides on and sets fast; remove with oil balm; work in small sections. |
| Regular Cream Pencil | Soft daytime haze | Smudges easily for a diffused edge; set with shadow to reduce transfer. |
| Gel Pot + Brush | Crisp, in-between pencil and liquid | High control with angled brush; cap the pot quickly to avoid drying. |
| Liquid Felt Tip | Ultra-defined graphic wings | Can look harsh on the lower lash line; keep strokes micro-thin. |
| Kohl-Style Pencil | Smoky, lived-in effect | Soft texture; set generously or expect movement through the day. |
| Shadow + Angled Brush | Feather-light definition | Great for beginners; longest wear when layered over pencil. |
| Nude/Beige Pencil | Awake look; reduce redness | Waterline brightening; pick ophthalmologist-tested options. |
| Black Or Deep Brown | Strong contrast; evening looks | Can shrink the eye if too thick; keep the line thin near inner third. |
How To Apply Bottom Eyeliner: Step-By-Step
This is the base method you can tweak for any finish—clean, smoky, or long-wear. It keeps product under the lashes (not inside the eye) for comfort and control.
Prep So Liner Goes On Smooth
- Clean lids and under-eye. Oil breaks down pigment. Wipe the area and let it dry.
- Prime lightly. A tiny sweep of eye primer or a matte skin-tone shadow keeps slip under control.
- Sharpen or shape your tool. A fine pencil point or crisp brush edge prevents a bulky line.
- Anchor your elbow. Rest it on a counter for steadier micro-strokes.
Sketch, Soften, Then Set
- Map tiny dashes. Look straight ahead. Place short dashes right along the lower lashes from the outer corner toward the center. Keep the inner third lighter.
- Link the dashes. Use feather-light strokes to join them. Stop just short of the tear duct to avoid a heavy block.
- Soften the edge. Tap a pencil brush or cotton swab along the line to blur just the border. Leave the root rich.
- Lock it in. Press a matching matte shadow over the liner. Use a clean brush to dust away extra pigment.
Add A Tiny Outer Lift
To lift the eye without a harsh wing, flick the bottom line up by one or two millimeters at the outer corner, then meet it with the upper liner. Keep the angle gentle.
Applying Bottom Eyeliner For Your Eye Shape
Round Eyes
Keep the thickest point on the outer third. A charcoal or deep brown softens contrast while adding stretch across the width.
Almond Eyes
Trace a thin, even line just under the lashes. Add a touch more depth at the outer corner to echo the natural taper.
Hooded Or Downturned Eyes
Keep the inner third ultra-thin. Build depth at the outer third and add a tiny lift. Avoid heavy lower-inner color, which can drag the gaze down.
Monolid Eyes
Use a waterproof pencil and set with powder. Let the line extend a hair past the outer corner for length. A charcoal gray reads soft yet defined.
Deep-Set Or Prominent Eyes
Choose muted shades (slate, cocoa, olive). A hazy edge softens contour without adding bulk to the socket.
Waterline: What To Know Before You Try It
The waterline is the inner rim of the eyelid. Many artists use it for drama, yet some eyes do better without it. Medical sources call out added bacteria exposure and tear-film disruption, so if you wear contacts, have dry eye, or get irritation, keep liner under the lashes instead of inside the rim. See the FDA’s eye cosmetic safety tips for clean handling and shelf-life guidance, and the Cleveland Clinic’s advice on avoiding liner inside the lash line for sensitive eyes.
Safe Waterline Technique (If Your Eyes Tolerate It)
- Use a clean, ophthalmologist-tested pencil that twists up (no wood shards).
- Dry the rim with a tissue edge, then blink a few times.
- Look down into a mirror; lift the lower lid gently.
- Glide the pencil tip from outer to inner in two short passes. Stop if you feel sting.
- Swap to a beige pencil on the lower rim if you want brightness without depth.
If irritation or haziness appears, remove the product and skip waterline looks. The FDA also advises tossing eye makeup used during any eye infection and washing hands before application for fewer germs.
Shade And Finish Guide
Pick Colors That Do The Work For You
Match the mood and your eye color. Cooler tones add contrast to warm eyes; warm browns and bronzes flatter cool irises. For a soft day look, matte or satin finishes stay refined. For evening, add a thin layer of shimmer shadow pressed right over the pencil—kept below the lashes—to catch light without fallout.
| Goal | Try This Shade | Quick Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Bigger-Looking Eyes | Nude or soft taupe under; beige on waterline (if tolerated) | Keep inner third thin and bright. |
| Softer Contrast | Deep brown, espresso, or charcoal | Skip jet black for daytime. |
| Cool-Tone Pop | Bronze, copper, warm brown | Press a matching shadow to set. |
| Warm-Tone Pop | Navy, slate, forest | Keep the line thin on the inner third. |
| Smoky Evening | Black or black-brown | Soften edges; lift outer corner slightly. |
| Natural Daytime | Soft taupe, grey-brown | Use shadow over pencil only. |
Make It Last: No-Smudge System
Layering Order That Works
- Primer. A rice-grain size under the eye is enough.
- Pencil or gel line. Short strokes; pause between sections.
- Press powder. Stamp matching shadow over the line.
- Mist lightly. A setting spray tapped on a sponge seals edges.
Fix Common Problems Fast
- Transfer to the upper rim: Tighten the inner corner and set with powder; keep the inner third thinner.
- Raccoon smudge: Switch to waterproof pencil; bake with a trace of translucent powder under the line, then dust away.
- Patchy application: Warm the tip on the back of your hand; switch to a creamier pencil.
- Watery eyes: Choose a silicone-based waterproof pencil and stop short of the tear duct.
Hygiene, Safety, And Removal
Good habits keep the eye area calm. The FDA advises clean hands, no sharing, careful storage away from heat, and replacing eye products on a regular cycle. If the product stings or you see redness, stop and remove it. For more detail and a full safety checklist, see the FDA’s page on eye cosmetic safety and the American Academy of Ophthalmology’s eye makeup safety tips.
Replace Products On A Sensible Schedule
Ophthalmology guidance and large clinics commonly suggest a three-month window for eye pencils and mascara once opened, since germs grow in moist, dark tubes. If you’ve had an eye infection, discard products used during that time.
Gentle Removal That Protects Lashes
- Soak a cotton pad with oil balm or dual-phase remover; hold it under the lashes for 20–30 seconds.
- Swipe outward with minimal rubbing. Repeat with fresh pads until clean.
- Rinse with lukewarm water and pat dry. Finish with a light, fragrance-free eye cream if you use one.
Looks To Try Without Extra Effort
Daytime Haze In Two Minutes
- Dot deep brown pencil along the outer half of the lower lashes.
- Blur with a pencil brush to soften.
- Set with a touch of matching shadow.
Clean Line For Photos
- Use gel with an angled brush for a thin ribbon right under the lashes.
- Flick up by a millimeter at the outer corner to lift.
- Press translucent powder under the line to lock.
Subtle Brighten For Tired Eyes
- Line the outer third with taupe.
- Tap beige shadow on the inner third and blend to meet the taupe.
- Add a tiny dot of champagne shimmer under the outer corner only.
Contact Lens And Dry-Eye Notes
Keep products away from the inner rim if you wear contacts or deal with dryness. A tiny scratch or extra residue can trigger irritation. If you notice redness or light sensitivity after makeup gets in your eye, rinse with clean water, remove lenses, and rest the eye. Use clinic-tested pencils and skip glitter under the eye, as flakes can irritate the cornea. Large medical centers also advise tossing older products and keeping applicators clean to lower the chance of contamination.
Where This Fits Into Your Routine
Do base, then eyes, then complexion touch-ups. Bottom liner comes after any under-eye corrector but before setting powder. That order keeps pigment crisp while giving you room to clean edges before you set the area.
Quick Recap You Can Save
- Thin near the inner third, fuller at the outer third.
- Sketch dashes, link, blur, and press powder to set.
- Keep products clean; replace on a steady cycle.
- Waterline is optional and not for every eye.
- Match shade to mood—taupe for day, deeper tones for night.
Use The Exact Phrase Naturally
You’ve now seen how to apply bottom eyeliner with steady steps and clean edges. When friends ask how to apply bottom eyeliner without smudging, share the dash-and-press method and the hygiene tips above for calm, long-wearing results.