Mineral Makeup Application : Applying Loose Mineral Eyeliner

Turquoise is here again to share to us her experience with mineral eyeliners!

If there is one makeup item I thought I can live without, it’s eyeliner. Whether it’s a powder, liquid, or pencil, eyeliner is such a hassle to put on. It tugs your eye when you apply it, smudges when you wear it, and reddens your eyes when you remove it. I thought I’d be lucky switching from traditional eyeliner to mineral eyeliner the same way I converted from traditional foundation to mineral foundation. Girl, I was wrong.

Mineral eyeliner is harder to apply, because it’s loose and powdery. Applying it dry leaves excess liner all over your face, while applying it wet requires very precise application. Don’t forget about applying liner with different brushes. Whether the brush is a fine, square, or angled tip, made of natural or synthetic hair, I can’t get the precise line that I want. My hands are not steady, so my eyes looked like a seismograph chart after applying eyeliner. Don’t forget about wet application. Adding water makes it runny, and sealants dry up quickly. I lost hope in applying eyeliners altogether, or so I thought.

It took me three tutorials and days of practice before I got the hang of it. I was surprised the first time I correctly applied mineral eyeliner. I couldn’t believe my eyes looked perfectly lined! Now I can proudly say that I’m a true mineral makeup convert. I don’t just use mineral foundations, blushes, and shadows, but mineral liners too. What’s next? I’m eyeing the Bare Escentuals Liner Quads, but that’s too ambitious for a beginner like me. I’ll order samples first, then see if I do get the Liner Quad.

Here are some tips on getting the perfect line every time:

1. Find the perfect brush – Achieve the perfect line by using an angled brow brush, square push, or fine tip brush. Fellow MMU addict Aileen even uses craft store taklon brushes. Try different brushes and see what works for you.
2. Wash the liner brush after every use – Washing your brushes every time ensures a clean brush with every application and prevents eye irritation. Shape the brush while drying, so the hairs don’t stray and the brush head retains its shape.
3. Place your elbow on a flat, steady surface – If you’re applying eyeliner with your right hand, prop your right elbow on a flat, steady surface to avoid jittery hands.
4. Raise your eyebrows – I got this tip from the Mineral Makeup Girl herself. Look down while you raise your brows, though. This may sound crazy, but this tip really helps.
5. Use eyeliner sealant sparingly – One drop is already a lot for lining the upper and lower lashes of your eyes.

Don’t fret if you don’t get it the first time. It takes a lot of practice to master the technique. You will get better after every eyeliner application (remember the economic term Learning Curve? ) I guarantee you that you will line your eyes with ease in no time.