Even the most seasoned professionals can get it wrong when choosing eye makeup products. Use too much, and you can end up with heavy, dark eyes that look tired and a bit frightening. The old saying, “the eyes are the windows of the soul,” should give us a clue. Together, we’ll discuss two important eye makeup tools: mascara and eyeliner. You’ve seen the memes. You know the look. Eyes without mascara can look a little too close to a naked mole rat, one of nature’s most ahem interesting looking mammals. Of all eye makeup products, mascara is arguably the most important. Mascara is used to enhance eyelashes. You can use mascara in numerous ways to “style” your lashes.
Volumizing Mascara. Defining Mascara. Enter RMS Beauty’s The Original Defining Mascara. Like many other cosmetics, mascara can be home to various unsafe and toxic ingredients. At RMS Beauty, we are committed to keeping our formulas cleaner than clean. We also include hydrating, eyelash nourishing ingredients in our formula. Unlike mascara, eyeliner isn’t applied to your eyelashes. Eyeliner is important to any eye look, but getting it right can be tricky. Eyeliner is a product used on the outer rim or edge of the eyes. It is made to draw attention to the eyes and make them look larger. Eyeliner should be applied along the outer edge of your lash line.
Types of Eyeliner and How They Work
Liquid eyeliner. Like it sounds, liquid liner is water-based, thin, and requires a specialized brush for application. Gel eyeliner. Consider gel eyeliner a bit thicker than liquid but still soft enough to not be considered a solid. Eye pencil. A liner that comes in pencil form is the easiest to apply. Eyeliner is the clear winner for eye cosmetics that help define your eye and make it appear larger.
Not sure whether you need mascara, eyeliner, or both to complete your look? Using mascara on your eyes is a great solution for keeping your look simple, bare-faced, and easy. You can easily use mascara and lip balm for a fresh-faced look that focuses on clean, clarified skin. Eyeliner alone can look heavy and make lashes look short and sparse. If you wear lash extensions, wearing eyeliner alone is an option. Using both mascara and eyeliner together creates a classic look that compliments your eyeshadow and helps make your eye makeup look complete.
Because mascara and eyeliner can contain scary, toxic ingredients, it’s important to make sure you’re shopping for the cleanest, greenest products available. So go ahead, go for lashes with a fuller look and eyes that are incredibly wide.
We also note that both products sit at the top of every makeup routine and each can change your entire look in seconds. The answer isn’t as simple as picking Team Mascara or Team Eyeliner. Each product does something completely different for your eyes. One opens them up and makes you look awake. Mascara works on your lashes. Instant eye-opening effect: Your eyes look bigger and more awake. Adds length and volume: Mascara makes short or sparse lashes appear fuller and longer. Creates lift and curl: Curling mascaras help lift straight lashes upward. The result? Works for everyone: Mascara flatters every eye shape. Defines your eye shape: Eyeliner creates structure. Changes your eye shape: Want a cat-eye? Winged liner. Want rounder eyes? Line the waterline. Adds drama and intensity: Bold eyeliner makes a statement. Requires precision: Eyeliner takes practice.
Practical Guide: How to Use Mascara and Eyeliner
For a smooth, smudge-proof line that stays put all day, we recommend tools like Iba Long Stay Liquid Eye Liner for intense black color with a creamy formula that’s gentle on sensitive eyes. If you’re aiming for a natural, fresh look or have hooded eyes, mascara often wins, as eyeliner can disappear into the fold. Hooded Eyes: Mascara wins here. Eyeliner often disappears into the fold. Almond Eyes: Both work beautifully. Round Eyes: Eyeliner helps elongate round eyes with horizontal lines and wings. Downturned Eyes: Winged eyeliner creates lift. Monolid Eyes: Bold eyeliner shows up better on monolids.
When applying mascara, never pump the wand in and out of the container, and begin at the base of your upper lashes with a zigzag motion toward the lash tips. For eyeliner, steady your hand by bracing your elbow and stay as close to the lash line as possible, starting at the outer corners for a natural effect and blending as needed. Liquid eyeliner follows the same method as pencil liner, with practice improving line precision over time.
For a balanced look, pair a defining liner with a volumizing mascara to complement your eyeshadow and complete the look. If you’re new to makeup, start with a pencil liner for easy control and softer results, then experiment with gel or liquid formulas as you gain confidence.
Choosing Clean Formulas
Like RMS Beauty’s approach to mascara, choosing clean, safe ingredients matters for both products. Look for non-toxic, environmentally friendly formulations and nourishing components that protect and condition lashes while delivering the look you want. This is especially important when considering daily wear and sensitivity around the delicate eye area.
Application Tips by Eye Type
Eyeshadow underlines the effect of mascara and eyeliner, and choosing the right combination depends on eye shape. For example, hooded eyes benefit from a lifted eyelid look achieved with light, carefully placed eyeliner along the upper lash line and strategic eyeshadow placement to open the eye. For different eye shapes, you can tailor your technique to maximize impact while preserving comfort and safety.
Before starting, prep your skin: cleanse, tone, and moisturize, then apply concealer around the eye area to create an even base. Use an appropriate brush set, including flat shader, crease, fluffy blending, and angled brushes, to control pigment and define your look. Apply shadow in layers from light to deep, and finish with liner, mascara, and defined brows for a complete look.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of eye makeup should an older woman wear? Light-reflecting textures and a touch of definition work beautifully to enhance mature eyes without overwhelming them. Creamy formulas tend to glide on more easily and won’t settle into fine lines, while a gentle swipe of mascara can instantly open up the eyes and bring a fresh, lifted look.
What's the easiest way to line your eyes as a beginner? Start with a pencil liner. It’s the most forgiving, allowing you to smudge or soften mistakes as you go. Try pressing the pencil gently along the lash line in short dashes rather than one long stroke. It’s less pressure, more control, and creates that defined-but-not-too-perfect effect.
To complete your eye look, finish with a quality eye makeup remover to safely remove all traces of makeup and prep for the next day.
- Start with clean skin and a moisturized base.
- Choose the right type of eyeliner for your skill level and eye shape.
- Apply mascara with a gentle zigzag motion from base to tip.
- Pair with a complementary eyeshadow look and defined brows.
Whether you’re going for a natural daytime look or a dramatic nighttime effect, the right combination of mascara and eyeliner can dramatically open and define the eyes. Remember, you can stock up on both and adjust your look as you go, never feeling pressured to pick one side over the other.
