makeup

WHITE LINER: THE ULTIMATE PRIMER

post + photos by amy nadine, graphic design by eunice chun

I created this post to show you how impactful applying white eyeliner to your lid is before matte shadows to really make the shadow color come to life. Shadow primers are great too, but nowhere near as powerful as a white kohl pencil. Because honestly, matte shadows need a little help going on without become blotchy or faded; and it’s always a little disappointing to buy a shadow that’s bright and pigmented in its packaging but goes on more sheer and waah waah. This method is also an amazing way to make a DIY gorgeous matte colored liner if you don’t want to fill in the whole lid. Investing in a white pencil gives you countless options for creating your own brighter lids and even making your own lipstick shades (coming next week!). Here’s how:

TOOLS:

• A white kohl pencil eyeliner — I used the matte side of a discontinued (sorry!) dual-ended white pencil from Shu Uemura, but you can also try this matte Sephora Collection Nano Liner in Pure White as it’s the exact same matte liner.
• Any matte shadow shade — I used this Make Up For Ever Purple Eye Shadow but you can use any shade that brings out your eyes or makes your heart smile!
• Mascara

STEPS:

1. Line your upper lashline with the white pencil. You can stop there if you just want a bright liner effect. Otherwise fill in the entire lid all the way to the crease.
2. Apply the eyeshadow powder by “stamping it” directly on top of the white liner. Stippling instead of sweeping it really presses the shadow into the liner to give you a bigger color payoff.
3. Repeat steps 1 + 2 along your lower lashline.
4. Add a coat of mascara.