Eyeliners are an essential part of most people’s makeup routines. You wouldn’t think a line on the eyelids would make such a difference but it does! When worn properly, eyeliner gives definition to the eye and can also make it look bigger or smaller. Here are some basic and not-so-basic everyday eyeliner hacks for the novice as well as the professional.

• Hack 1: Heat your pencil liner

If you’re an artist who employs a pencil liner instead of liquid, you must be aware of the struggles caused by the dry nature of the former. Warming up the tip of your liner can melt it just enough to slide across your eyelid with ease! However, test it on your hand before applying to your eye to make sure it isn’t too hot.

• Hack 2: Go white!

Some eyeshadows may be less pigmented than the others and if you really want to make them pop, go white. Apply white eyeliner on your eyelid and layer the eyeshadow on top.

• Hack 3: Up your cat-eye game

If you’re winging a cat eye, make sure to outline it first! Fill it in after you nail the outline as this will ensure you don’t stray beyond the desired shape. Start from the lower eyelid and then complete it from the upper lash line. Once you are satisfied with the shape and symmetry, you can move to the next step.

• Hack 4: Use a stencil

This hack is a lifesaver and one of the best professional eyeliner hacks for everyday wear. You’ll be surprised to find out how many household items can be used as a stencil to nail a fabulous eyeliner look. Among these are spoons, tape and credit cards! Depending on which shape you desire, you can place these items to create an outline and then remove them when you’re done. This hack is best for people who just cannot get that straight line right!

• Hack 5: Nail that smokey eye 

A smokey eye is a very important look for most artists and is easy to mess up. Use a creamy brown liner and trace a hashtag sideways on the outer edge of your eyelid. Then, blend it in. This will ensure symmetry and that you don’t use too much eyeliner after.

• Hack 6: Set your liner

Afraid your liner will wear off when your halfway through a party? Not to worry as you can change this with an easy professional eyeliner hack for every day. Just dust a little eye shadow of the same shade as your eyeliner on top of the latter to keep it in place.

• Hack 7: Using a pencil liner

If your hands are too shaky to nail a straight line but you still want that gloss on your eyelid, use a pencil liner first and then coat it with liquid liner. The pencil gives a good grip and the liquid provides gloss!

• Hack 8: In between lashes!

If you want a natural look but still want your eyes to pop, apply your eyeliner in between your lashes instead of applying it on your eyelid. This will also make your eyelashes look fuller.

• Hack 9: Make your own color

Running out of colors and bored with the monotony offered by black? Make your own shade of eyeliner by dabbing a wet brush in an eyeshadow color of your choice. The wetness of the brush tightens the pigments of the shadow and make it look darker and sharper.