Some makeup trends make me spit up. Winged black liquid liner on most of us over age 45, is one of those trends. Besides being a technical challenge on older hooded eyes, it can accentuate our well-earned lines and wrinkles, look garish, and actually date us back a few era’s while making us look like we’re trying too hard. To this end, I created a video on my YouTube channel, The Beauty Shaman titled Beauty Trend 2020 Black Winged Eyeliner For Older Women. After that, Makeupblogs.com asked me to submit a makeup photo for their Top Looks Competition, and I submitted my picture from that video for kicks and giggles. For reference, I’m not a very competitive person, especially when it comes to creative work, which is almost entirely subjective.  I did it because I believe 2021 is the Year of the Older Woman. What we bring to the worlds’ table with our wisdom and talents will begin to take center stage, and I want to encourage all of you to join in! Having said that, let’s go back to how to create a winged black eyeliner look just in time for that global appearance.
Own a Sense of Self
My considered opinion on your chosen style is do what allows you to own a sense of self. By this I mean, if you love liquid liner and it makes you feel beautiful, then ignore anyone who tells you differently. We are adults and we can (f*#^!ing) do what we want (add necessary expletive). I love seeing older women rocking a look that is obviously a statement of who they are. Some of us haven’t paused and thought about what would give us that sense of creativity, selfhood, or flash. What is it for you? For many years I wanted a leather jacket. I think leather has a rock star vibe no matter what you wear with it. Because I live in a place where Lululemon is king, I resisted buying one and looking differently while in a sea of yoga pants. On a fluke, a good friend of mine gave me a leather jacket that she never wore, and it’s magnificent. Tossing my fears to the wind, I wear it, weather permitting. I feel astoundingly smashing in it, and it’s worth the empowering energy it gives me. If that’s you with liquid liner, then go for it. If not, then learning how to create the look within the manageable boundaries of age-appropriate style, this article is for you.
Soften it Down
To avoid the garish and harsh look liquid liner can bring, try using a soft pencil brush with a similar eyeshadow color, and run it over the top. Be sure to leave he inner eye liner very clean without blending, as it can make your eyes look close together. Keep to the outer edge, and blend as little or much as you want. You also can use a slanted brush to apply color directly on the liquid liner without smudging the color to soften the look. This will magically remove any bumps or mistakes in your application. Also, most of us need to keep liner to the top of our eye, instead of underneath, as we can resemble an owl or appear overdone quickly. If you like putting eyeliner in your waterline, add it to the upper and not the lower waterline. It will give your face a boost and draw attention away from any dark circles.
The Total Art Piece
When artists paint a canvas, they rarely put color in just one spot because they continually look at the big picture. If you put black liner on your eyes, then make that your chosen focal point, and make everything else more muted. For example, if you use a neutral lipstick and peachy blush, add a little peach to your eyeshadow to pull it all together. My advice is to avoid a bright lip color or heavy cheek color if you want your eyes to be the main attraction. Also, liner can bring out winkles, so if you soften down the rest of your face, the heaviness of the liner will be diminished. When you’re done, take a step back and check the entire look. Does it blend well together? Do you have one focal point? Is the liner heavy, or does it accentuate your eye shape?
Whatever you decide to do with liquid liner, be sure you are keeping in alignment with your personal style. Never cave to fashion or trend, but rather use them as inspiration to continually grow your own statement of who you are and how you rock the planet. And, if it suits your fancy, sign up for a competition just for kicks and giggles.
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