Statistics and common sense will tell you that eye make-up (which translates to a line of kajal or a swipe of the eyeliner) is the most important step of make-up for Indian women, even if it’s just going for grocery shopping. The difficult part however is: to keep the liner in place, without smudging, losing its intensity or creasing in between lines. So we thought we’d jot down some tips to help your eyes shine bright like a diamond.
Clean up your act: Sweat, humidity or tears (we just got Netflix in India) can lead to oily lids. So first up, wash your eyes with cool water and use a mild facewash to remove any dirt and impurities. If you still see any make-up residue use a Q-tip dipped in make-up remover or baby oil to get squeaky clean. You can even use cotton swab dipped in cold water to seal the deal.
Use an eye primer: Wipe it with a soft towel, moisturize if need be and then use a primer which is not too oily like Nars Smudge-Proof Eyeshadow Base. Not only does it work as a base for your make-up but also helps it stay put in one place. Use your ring finger to apply it over your eyelids without putting pressure on your eyes.
Choose waterproof formulas: Sometimes it’s just the shape of our eyes (mine are hooded) or the texture of our skin that makes our liner smudge. So your best bet would be to buy waterproof or longwear pencils. The formula used is such that the pigment of the colour should ideally last even if you wash your face. Check out and order Maybelline Hyper Glossy Liquid Liner and MAC Eye Kohl. If you’re a pro at acing the winged liner or at smokey eyes, why not just switch to gel eyeliner? My favourites are Benefit They’re Real Eyeliner and Bobbi Brown Long Wear Gel Eyeliner. The only thing with gel liners is since they dries out quickly, you need to correct mistakes within 3-4 seconds.
Powder to the rescue: After putting kajal and correcting it, take some translucent powder (like this one from Coloressence) on an eyeshadow/eyeliner brush and sweep it below the waterline or above the crease of your eye. You can even use the slimmer side of the sponge.
