TikTok has become such a mainstay of mainstream culture, it's hard to remember a time without it. Most of us downloaded the app in 2020 to pass the time, but in this post-pandemic world, it's become so much more than a platform for lip-syncing and dancing (I and my uncoordinated self are thankful for that). The social media app is now a top resource for beauty ideas, viral beauty products, and spotting makeup trends.
Take, for instance, the inner eyeliner trend TikTok has become obsessed with. I say "trend" for lack of a better word, but I really hate calling it that. Lining the inner corners of your eyes is a technique makeup artists have been using for decades to create eye makeup looks and effects. But as TikTok is wont to do, the social platform has taken the technique and blasted it to the masses. So here we are! Let's talk about it.
If you thought lining the outer corners of your eyes was tricky, then you haven't yet tried tight-lining the tiny tear duct area on the inner corners of your eyes. So to help simplify the technique and give you all the pointers, we interviewed Dallas-based makeup artist Sandra Saenz. Scroll on for tips, product recommendations, demos, and more.
What is inner corner eyeliner?
A favorite TikTok makeup hack, lining the inner corners of your eyes elongates the shape of your eye. Hong Kong-based digital creator and TikToker Steph Hui previously explained to Cosmo that inner corner liner is often paired with outer corner liner, a look that TikTok calls siren eyes.
The trick (and it is a little tricky) is getting the angle just right so that it has the effect that you want. “It's super important to follow the angle of your wing liner in order to create this,” Saenz explains. “Otherwise, we risk the inner corner pointing down, giving us the illusion of an eyeliner mishap rather than an intentional shape.”
How to do the inner eyeliner:
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First, start by doing your winged liner on your upper lashline.
Honestly, I could expand step one into, like, 10 more steps because doing a cat-eye is expert-level stuff, but that's why we have a whole article about how to do winged liner for beginners. Read that, then come back and move on to step two.
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Trace the angle with eyeshadow.
If going in with a permanent-marker-looking black liquid eyeliner feels intimidating, Saenz says to try tracing the line you want to create with a light-brown eyeshadow and an angled brush as your first step. Then, use this line as a guide when you break out the waterproof formulas.
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Determine the length of the inner corner liner.
Instead of going all gas no brakes with the eyeliner length, Saenz says to flick out the line with little strokes until you determine how long you want it to be, but stop before it touches the side of the nose. If you go a little overboard and need to trim it back, use a cotton swab or the tip of your finger to remove some of the product and shorten it.
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Connect the inner eyeliner to the rest of your upper eyelid wing.
Next, Saenz says to use short, thin, light strokes to line the upper lash line until you connect the inner corner line with the rest.
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Line the bottom of the inner corner.
Now, start at the bottom of the inner corner (underneath the tear duct) and draw the liner toward the outer corner of the eye. Saenz says this line can be a little thicker but recommends using a fine-tip liquid liner or a liner brush and pomade that smudges nicely (like the KVD Beauty Super Pomade Eyeliner, Shadow, and Brow Pigment) to create a smokey-yet-precise finish.
“Using a liquid liner that’s thick in the bottom lash might look a bit too harsh if it isn't blended nicely,” Saenz says. With a product like this, “you can smudge and create that smokey effect easily on the lower lash line, and it won't budge.”
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Fill in the triangle.
Lastly, connect all the lines with short, thin strokes and fill in the little triangle at the inner corner of the eye to pull everything together.
How do you do the TikTok eyeliner trend?
So you're more of a visual learner, huh? That's what TikTok is for, my friend. Below, 7 popular video demonstrations with additional tips to get you started.
1. Tracing the inner eye with eyeshadow
@paintedbyspencer YOU’VE GOT THIS! ???? This is how I create my inner corner eyeliner. All it takes is some eyeshadow, liquid eyeliner, and little bit of patience ???? I hope this helps! ?? #innercornereyeliner #eyeliner #makeup #makeuptutorial #paintedbyspencer ? original sound - SPENCER
If even tracing the inner corners of your eyes with eyeshadow sounds too advanced for your makeup skills, watch this quick demo. Take your time and pay particular attention to the angle of the line—not up or down, just straight out. Then, grab your liquid liner to darken the line and set it in place.
2. Inner corner eyeliner hack
@natseleen_ How to do the perfect inner corner liner #innercorner #makeuphack ? blood sweat and tears by BTS - Tik Toker
If your lines never end up how you want no matter how steady your hand, start by drawing a small dot first, then dragging the product out. With this trick, you'll avoid applying too much product and making a mess.
3. Angling the inner corner eyeliner
@slaybyjess Replying to @beautymariam19 let me know if this helped you out! ????#eyelinertutorial #eyeliner #innercornereyeliner #fypage #makeupforbeginners #liquidliner #makeuptutorial ? Glimpse of Us - Joji
In this demonstration, you can see what difference the angle of the inner eyeliner can make. It's hard to—ahem—wing it, so use the handle of your eyeliner or liner brush to guide your shape. Align the handle under the outside wing, and continue that same line on the inner corner. That'll help make sure both corners of your eyes are in line.
4. Sharpening your inner corner eyeliner
@xthuyle Replying to @Hashir Khan EASY INNER CORNER LINER @XTHUYLE #makeup #eyeliner #makeuplooks #innercornerliner #eyelinerhacks #eyelinertutorial ? original sound - XTHUYLE
Hey, accidents happen! If you skipped the tracing step and went straight in with the liquid liner, use a small brush and concealer to clean up the edges and sharpen that baby right up.
5. Inner eyeliner for upper eyelid folds
@a.rieln #stitch with @jazlmao I used to hate my eye shape but I love them now ???? #eyelinertutorial #innercornereyeliner #epicanthalfolds #HotwireHotelGoals ? Monkeys Spinning Monkeys - Kevin MacLeod & Kevin The Monkey
Depending on the shape of the inner corner of your eye, it may help to trace the inner corner both with your eye semi-shut and again with it open. Doing this in two steps will help to seamlessly connect the triangle shape on the inner corner with the line on your upper eyelid.
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This article originally appeared on Cosmopolitan.com. Minor edits have been made by the Cosmo.ph editors.
