• Skip to content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Makeup and Beauty Blog | Makeup Reviews, Swatches and How-To MakeupMakeup and Beauty Blog | Makeup Reviews, Swatches and How-To Makeup

A beauty blog blooming with fresh makeup reviews, swatches and beauty tips from your friendly neighborhood beauty addict

  • Home
  • About
    • About
    • Contact
    • FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
    • Advertising & Media
  • Categories
    • Product Reviews
    • Makeup
    • Skincare & Fragrance
    • Style & Fashion
    • Hair
    • Nails
    • Tips & Tutorials
    • Just for Fun
  • Brands
  • Store

How to Tightline Your Eyes

August 10th, 2015 by Karen 30 Comments

how-to-tightline

Tightlining, or “tight-lining,” despite its action-packed name, is not a new extreme sport. It doesn’t have anything to do with bungee cords, ratchet straps or zip-lining, but along with filling in my brows and curling my lashes, it’s an essential part of my everyday makeup routine.

In tightlining, you line the base of your upper lash line from below, getting down in there between the roots, and I do it EVERY. SINGLE. DAY.

Even when I’m under a severe time crunch and have to start making “tough” decisions on which and what parts of my routine I have to skip, I’ll skip bronzer, highlighter, and if I have to, I’ll even skip blush…as long as I still have time to tightline.

So how does tightlining differ from the typical ways of applying eyeliner? Well, I usually apply eyeliner from above, where I get the tip of the liner down between the roots of my lashes and along the lash line, and in tightlining, it’s the same basic process, but I come at the base of the line from beneath it, where I can really get the liner down in there between each and every lash, and it makes the lash line look nice and thick, and that makes the eyes look bigger.

Before tightlining (left) and after (right)
Before tightlining my upper water line (left) and after (right)

For tightlining, of all the different eyeliner formulas — gels, powders, kohls, liquid liners, etc. — I like black waterproof twist-up pencil liners the best, and I choose the twist-ups because the tips are usually super thin, which makes it easier to get down in between each of the lashes at the roots. I also like waterproof formulas because they last (and I LOVE Chanel’s Waterproof Eye Liner in 88 Noir Intense for this reason).

Of course, if you feel like black liners are too stark for you, you can always use another shade. Deep blackish gray, brownish black, medium-toned gray, navy or brown all work, too. Whatever darkens your lash lines and floats your boat.

Step 1: Sharpen your pencil

To start, the first thing I do is sharpen my pencil.

I know that sounds kind of “Duh, Karen!” but using a sharp tip really helps. It makes it much easier to get between those lashes at the roots.

Step 2: Placing the pencil at the base

Next, I place the tip of the pencil just beneath my lash line, pointing at an upward angle, and close the eye I’m working on so that the tip of the liner presses up against the base of the lashes.

how-to-tightline-2

Step 3: Start your tightline

Then, I slowly run the pencil along the lash line in short spurts, back and forth, back and forth, all the way along the line moving from outward to inward (toward my nose).

Step 4: Check your work

Next, I’ll open my eye to make sure the line looks dark enough, and if it doesn’t, then I’ll repeat the same process until it does.

At this point, there are usually still a few gaps that need to be filled — places where the pencil didn’t quite get between the lashes — so I’ll take the pencil, and gently fill in those gaps until I have a solid black line.

how-to-tightline-3

And that’s all there is to it! Done. 🙂

how-to-tightline-4

Sometimes when I tightline, I accidentally end up with liner on my lid, and when that happens, I don’t worry about it too much. I just grab a Q-tip and blend out the line. It creates a bit of a gradient right along the lash line, and I’m all about those gradients, man!

And if I only plan to line my upper lash line, and not also my lower lash and/or water line, and some of my eyeliner transfers to where it doesn’t belong, I just dip a Q-tip into some makeup remover, and use that to clean up.

Lastly, if your liner doesn’t always stick to your water line, dry your water line first by gently rubbing a Q-tip along it before you start, because some liners seem to work much better on a dry surface.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

How to Tightline Your Eyes / Originally published August 10th, 2015

There are 30 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Eyes, Makeup, Makeup Tips/How To

Previous Post: Makeup and Beauty Blog Monday Poll, Vol. 385
Next Post: Easy Winged Eyeliner for Beginners

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Lulle says

    August 10th, 2015 at 5:37 pm

    I’ve actually made progress at tightlining with a pencil since you gave me all this advice a while ago! But my favorite technique remains the powder shadow applied with a thin, flat eyeliner brush. My go-to shadow for that is Bobbi Brown Espresso.
    Lulle recently posted … A runner’s ally: Oxyrub Pain Relief Cream (20% off discount code inside)

    Reply
    • Karen says

      August 10th, 2015 at 5:40 pm

      Yay! I’m so happy to hear that. 🙂 Does your Bobbi shadow transfer? Or do you get pretty good wear from it?

      Happy Monday to you!

      Reply
      • Lulle says

        August 10th, 2015 at 5:44 pm

        It does transfer to the lower waterline a bit, but not too much. And it’s easy to clean up the way you described with a q-tip.
        Lulle recently posted … A runner’s ally: Oxyrub Pain Relief Cream (20% off discount code inside)

        Reply
        • Karen says

          August 10th, 2015 at 5:55 pm

          Oh that’s good to hear. For some reasons powders like to move around on my water line now. I’m glad you were able to find something that works for you. 🙂

          Reply
  2. musical says

    August 10th, 2015 at 6:45 pm

    I tried tightlining a cpl. of times with the Laure Mercier cake liner (does that make anyone else hungry??)-and it works fine, BUT, I find it scary!! That, and eye-lash curlers :-D.

    Reply
    • Karen says

      August 10th, 2015 at 7:21 pm

      Aww, it’s not scary! If you find bringing pencils and lash curlers close to your eyes is scary, then try focusing on an object that’s further away.

      Reply
      • Musical says

        August 10th, 2015 at 9:44 pm

        Thank you, bella! Will give it a try :).

        Reply
  3. Jennifer says

    August 10th, 2015 at 7:10 pm

    I so want to try tightlining, but I wear contact lenses and I’m afraid I’ll somehow end up with an eye infection of some sort. Also, I’m super-klutzy… Haha!

    Reply
    • Karen says

      August 10th, 2015 at 7:19 pm

      Hi Jennifer, I wear contacts too, and I haven’t had any issues. My eyes are sensitive and Chanel’s Waterproof Eyeliner works for me. It might be awkward at first but like any skill, it just takes practice. ?

      Reply
  4. Tracy says

    August 10th, 2015 at 7:24 pm

    First of all I’m LOVING the au natural, fresh, breezy look you’re rockin! Absolutely beautiful! What, if anything are you wearing? I haven’t been able to find a product that doesn’t transfer onto my contacts although I do love tht look it gives to my eyes. The search continues!
    Tracy recently posted … Things that make me go hmmm Vol. 1

    Reply
  5. Linda says

    August 10th, 2015 at 7:39 pm

    Karen,
    I love the tutorial, but what do you use to take your eye make up off? My optometrist told me not to use the oil based ones.

    Reply
  6. Ashley says

    August 10th, 2015 at 9:26 pm

    Thanks Karen!! I’ve struggled to tightline under my top eyelashes for a while. And all my friends have always pulled their skin around their eyes upwards to do it. That has never seemed like a good idea to me! I’m in my early 20’s so I don’t want to get into the habit of doing something that could cause wrinkles later down the line.

    Reply
  7. Maggie says

    August 10th, 2015 at 9:27 pm

    Hey Karen,
    So far I’ve been tightlining with liquid liner. It sounds weird but I use Maybelline line stiletto which has a flexible felt tip so I can lift up my lashes and then with the tip sideways, press it into the roots of my lashes. The only con is that it takes a little longer for me to apply it than I wish it would. It seems like using a pencil would take less time, but Chanel is a little too pricey for me. Do you have any other recommendations for a longwear waterproof eyeliner that is drugstore or at least cheaper?

    Reply
  8. Aditi says

    August 11th, 2015 at 12:51 am

    I love tight-lining too and do it almost daily! This post is very informative for people who find it difficult1 <3 🙂

    xx Aditi
    Aditi recently posted … Forest Essentials Facial Ubtan Multani Mitti | Review, Photos

    Reply
  9. anusha says

    August 11th, 2015 at 2:03 am

    Hiii karen, i love tightlining..it suits my small hooded indian eyes.. but how do i remove it with my makeup remover?? Some of the kohl is always left everytime! Boohoo.. please tell me ..

    Reply
    • Steph says

      August 11th, 2015 at 6:00 am

      I have been wondering about this too! I don’t tightline because I can’t seem to get it all off. I can’t even get eyeliner on the top part off, either.

      Reply
  10. Kiss & Make-up says

    August 11th, 2015 at 3:42 am

    Tightlining is one of my least favorite steps in my make-up routine, haha 🙂 It’s such a delicate thing, ya know! I often end up poking myself in the eye or smudging the color onto my lid, but when it’s done right it makes a world of difference, so I never skip it.
    Kiss & Make-up recently posted … Review | MAC Prep + Prime Fix + Skin Refreshing Finishing Mist (Yuzu limited-edition)

    Reply
    • anusha says

      August 11th, 2015 at 8:18 am

      Ohh..yeah..i noticed that u tightline in all your pics..really complements your smokey eye looks.. 🙂

      Reply
      • Kiss & Make-up says

        August 11th, 2015 at 9:12 am

        Thanks! Yeah, my eye make-up is pretty much my signature 🙂
        Kiss & Make-up recently posted … Review | MAC Prep + Prime Fix + Skin Refreshing Finishing Mist (Yuzu limited-edition)

        Reply
        • anusha says

          August 11th, 2015 at 11:34 am

          🙂

          Reply
  11. Amanda says

    August 11th, 2015 at 7:45 am

    Would love a budget-friendly eyeliner recommendation, especially in brownish/black shade.

    Reply
  12. sarahc says

    August 11th, 2015 at 7:56 am

    OMG epiphany! Karen when you said about coming at your lash line from below instead of above, I get it now! Thank you for doing this!

    Reply
  13. Lauren says

    August 11th, 2015 at 8:00 am

    I would totally wind up lining my eyeball instead of the lid! This would give me so much more “room” for my eyeshadow but I’m scurred.

    Reply
  14. Noirojos says

    August 11th, 2015 at 8:34 am

    Man I love tightlining, but absofreakinglutely *hate* the removal process. I’ve been using a really good waterproof liner from Maybelline, but it’s just so much effort to remove it!

    Reply
  15. Tatiana says

    August 11th, 2015 at 2:02 pm

    Can you recommend a liner that would be good for super sensitive eyes? I haven’t found one that doesn’t make my eyes itchy and extremely watery when applied to the water line. And once they start watering it’s all down hill from there.

    Reply
    • Karen says

      August 11th, 2015 at 8:00 pm

      Hi Tatiana,

      What’s your price range? 🙂

      Reply
      • Tatiana says

        August 11th, 2015 at 9:58 pm

        How expensive could a liner be? 😉

        Reply
  16. Rain says

    June 11th, 2016 at 10:52 am

    This may sound weird but you can actually remove makeup faster with petroleum jelly. I use it to remove the eyeliner on my upper lash line and/or waterline. Idk if it works for others but it works for me and I have no reaction to it (I mean cleaning my upper lash line with petroleum jelly). I just rake a cotton bud and swipe some petroleum jelly on it and rub it (and very carefully at doing the same on my upper lash line and waterline) on areas with makeup or eyeliner and even stubborn lip tints or lipstick that’s left on my lips.

    Reply
    • Rain says

      June 11th, 2016 at 10:54 am

      *take

      Reply
  17. J says

    June 5th, 2017 at 3:55 am

    Ahh a much needed post. Never understood the beauty world’s obsession with tightlining but now I see the light! Keep up the great work, your blog is so lovely 🙂 xx
    J recently posted … Eyeliner: Gel, liquid or pencil?

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

CommentLuv badgeShow more posts

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

About Makeup and Beauty Blog

Welcome to Makeup and Beauty Blog
Hi there! I’m Karen, your friendly neighborhood beauty addict, and I’m a Bay Area girl who hoards brown eyeshadow and covets coral lipstick. Every morning, I wake up and say, “I’m going to do something other than a smoky eye today.” Then…I end up doing a smoky eye anyway (most days). When I’m not putting on makeup, taking pictures of makeup or writing about makeup, which I’ve been doing daily since 2007 (!), you’ll find me hanging out with my hubby (“El Hub”), my four-year-old daughter (Connor Claire) and my torbie girl cat (Pretty Girl Rosie, a.k.a. PGR).

SHOP THE STORE


Long Live Lipstick Tee 💄



Blush Is My Crush Tee



Mascara & Kitties Tee



Thank You For Being a Friend Tee



You Hair Me Tee


Recent Posts

k honest beauty happiness jan 2021

Check In With Your Makeup-Loving Friends…

duri burgundy charade

5 Things I’ve Been Loving Lately

be strong coffee mug youve got this

Makeup and Beauty Blog Monday Poll, Vol. 662

Sundays With Tabs the Cat, Makeup and Beauty Blog Mascot, Vol. 643

window bed balcony

Saturday Surfing, Jan. 23, 2021

Social

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Featured Posts

Lady Unicorn

Weird Things I Like to Do

brows fill out beforehand

Before You Pluck or Wax Your Brows, You Must Do This

current bare skin status

What’s One Thing That Drastically Changed Your Skin for the Better?

red brown smokey eyes tutorial top pic 2

A Glamorously Grungy Makeup Tutorial: Smoky Reddish Brown Eyes and Vampy Matte Lips [MODERATE SKILL LEVEL]

Copyright © 2020 Makeup and Beauty Blog. Get in touch.