Here's the Hack for Creating a Perfectly Smudged Eyeliner Look

Whether the drop in temperature has inspired you to go for a darker look, or if you just like to rock the aesthetic, the swoopy eyeliner is a signature style that we keep coming back to.

Unlike other types of eye makeup, such as the cut or siren eye, smudged liner is easy to achieve and it can finish off all types of eye shapes. What's more, says Lancôme National Makeup Director Jasmine Ferreira, a little mess can even add to the feel of the look - you don't need to worry about perfecting the technique or having a skilled hand.

That's not to say there aren't some tricks that can help you, though. From the type of eyeliner you use and how quickly you must smudge it after application to the types of skincare products to avoid beforehand, four celebrity makeup artists showed us how to get the coolest, longest-lasting smudged eyeliner look. Their answers, below.

How Do You Define the Smudged Eyeliner Look?

"The smudged eyeliner look is a minimalist version of the smoky eye; it's softer, more penetrating, a cat-eye version of 'I just woke up like this,'" explains Lori Taylor Davis, Smashbox Global Professional Lead Artist.

We've all seen iterations of the swoosh eyeliner - they range from minimalist to dramatic, from classic black and grey fades to rainbow-filled shades. It's one of the reasons why smudged eyeliners are so cool.

"The shades you choose can help create any number of vibes," explains Nick Lujan, director of art and education at Kevyn Aucoin. For example, this expert says darker matte shades are more seductive and set off the whites of the eyes with the most contrast. lujan adds that brighter matte colors create a more playful look that contrasts less with the whites of our eyes, while shimmery textured eyeliners take on a life of their own depending on how the light reflects." It's a great way to incorporate hints of color," adds Lujan.

Of course, the degree to which your eyeliner smudges can either tone down the look or amplify it. According to Ferreira, level one is when the eyeliner hugs the lash line, while level three is the full-on '90s grunge look, and level two is somewhere in between.

What's the Best Way to Do Smudged Eyeliner?

You can draw some eyeliner and smudge it with an eyeshadow brush, but if you want a top-notch finish, follow the instructions below.

1. Prepare the area. Taylor-Davis says that eye preparation is key to getting long-lasting results. To do this, she says to use an eyeshadow primer that is sheer or close to your natural skin tone.
2. Line the inner edge. For an Avril Lavigne/Victoria's Secret Angel effect, Lujan says to line the eye all the way around the waterline. For best results, Ferreira and Lujan say to use an eyeliner with a creamy texture, such as Kevyn Aucoin's The Precision Eye Definer, so it glides and blends easily, while Taylor Davis prefers a waterproof eyeliner, such as Smashbox's Always Sharp Waterproof Kohl Liner, because she says they are soft and smudge easily.
3. Apply the eyeliner to the lash line. Use the tip of the brush to start smudging the liner at the base of the lashes, widening it slightly, then extending it outward to create the desired shape, Lujan says. This will cover any visible skin.
4. Apply the eyeliner to the base of the lashes. Now that the waterline is complete and the color has been smudged onto the lash line for a tighter look, next apply the eyeliner at the base of the upper and lower lashes. Closer to the lash line makes the eyeliner look easier to smudge and works for most eye shapes," adds Ferreira.
5. Smudge again." Use your brush to smudge the applied eyeliner into the desired shape. Then, repeat the process as many times as you need until you achieve the desired intensity and shape," says Lujan. If you want to simplify the process, Ferreira says to look for an eyeliner with a smudger on the reverse side, such as Lancôme's Le Stylo waterproof eyeliner.
6. Add eyeshadow on top. Ferreira says doing so will give the look more dimension." You can take a flat brush and wrap it around your eyeliner," she adds." It will not move." Sasha Ghodstinat, global makeup artist and brand trainer for CODE8, says she recommends the brand's Iconoclast eyeshadow palettes because they have a technology that makes them scalable and they can be used wet if you want a more intense effect.

What Are Some Mistakes People Making When Creating Smudged Eyeliner and What's the Best Way to Avoid Them?

We know we said that mess can add to the overall feel of this look, but there's a difference between intentional mess and hot mess.

Before touching your eyeliner, Ghodstinat says to avoid using oily products around your eyes, such as eye cream, before doing your eye makeup, as this will encourage the makeup to move around and melt. Instead, use an eye cream and facial oil before going to bed.

Then, when choosing an eyeliner, Lujan says to avoid liquid eyeliners because they are harder to smudge and tend to smudge the smudging brush. On that note, Ferreira says to avoid eyeliners that are creamy but non-drying because they melt off, and to avoid those that dry too quickly because you don't have time to blend." She adds, "You need 30 seconds of blending and moving time to get it to where you want it to be. All of our experts recommend choosing a creamy, waterproof formula.