5 Tricks to Line Your Eyes Like a Pro

1. PICK YOUR PENCIL

For day, mechanical pencils (like Clinique Quick-liner) or classic wood pencils (like Avon Ultra Luxury Eye Liner, ) are drier than cream or kohl formulas, so they're less likely to run or fade. (If the tip tugs on your skin, roll it between your fingers to soften it.)

Don't be afraid of colorful pencils: In deep shades like forest green, navy, and plum, "they give a playful look," says celebrity makeup artist Quinn Murphy. Try Estée Lauder Double Wear Eye Pencil in Black Plum.

After dark, get your smolder on with a soft, smudge able pencil—look for anything labeled creamy or kohl, such as L'Oreal Paris Le Kohl Pencil in Carbon Black.

2. DRAW IT ON RIGHT

Does your liner look like it was scribbled on by a toddler? Try Murphy's foolproof method:

Steady the elbow of your drawing arm on a counter.

Tilt your chin up so you can see your entire lid. Use your other hand to pull the skin taut at the outer corner.

Place the pencil tip at your innermost lash and draw outward along the lashes in short flicks.

Halfway through the line, angle the pencil to draw with the side of it, which creates a thicker line. "A line that's all one width can make eyes look smaller," he says.

Look straight ahead as you finish the line, extending it a smudge past the outer corner. "Everyone can get a lift from a slight uptick," says makeup artist Fiona Stiles. Fill in any gaps, then add a superfine line along the outer third of your bottom lashes.

3. LINE YOUR INNER RIMS

This move creates major sex appeal for a night out. To keep it from fading before your first sip of wine, use a waterproof pencil and sharpen it to a fresh, germ-free point. Caveat: If you have small eyes, dark colors here will make them look even smaller, so instead, try a beige pencil like Three Custom Color Light Clarifier Eye Pencil. "It creates a wide-eyed effect," Murphy says.

WHOOPS !

If you make a mistake, dip the corner of a wedge makeup sponge into a dot of moisturizer and dab it along the wonky spot. "This works better than eye-makeup remover, which can run and ruin the rest of your liner," says Stiles.