Nobody draws a clean line freehand at the first attempt. These five approaches are ordered from most forgiving to least.

1. Dots and join

Draw three or four small dots along the lash line, then connect them. Because you are joining short distances rather than drawing one long stroke, the line comes out straighter and the shake in your hand matters less.

The best method for beginners, and the one many people never move on from.

2. Pencil first, then liquid

Draw the shape in pencil, where mistakes wipe away with a cotton bud. Once the shape is right, trace over it with liquid.

Twice the steps, and considerably less frustrating than getting liquid right first time.

3. The card edge

Hold a card, or any straight edge, against the outer corner of your eye angled toward the tail of the brow. Draw along it for the wing.

Produces a straight flick and, more usefully, gives you the same angle on both eyes.

4. Three short strokes

Build the wing in pieces rather than one movement: the flick outward first, then a line from the flick back toward the lid, then fill the small triangle between them.

Most people find the wing easier drawn outward-in than inward-out.

5. Freehand in one stroke

The one everyone attempts first and should attempt last. Rest your elbow on a firm surface, look straight ahead into a mirror rather than tilting your head, and draw in one movement from the inner third outward.

Fixing it without starting over

  • Uneven wings — do not lengthen the shorter one. Shorten the longer one with a cotton bud, then match
  • A wobbly line — thicken it slightly. Thicker lines hide wobble; thin ones display it
  • Smudges — a cotton bud with a little micellar water cleans the edge without touching the line
  • Fading through the day — the lid is oily. Set it with a little powder before lining

The technical points that help

Look down into a mirror placed below eye level rather than pulling the skin sideways — stretched lids return to shape and the line goes with them. And keep the line tight to the lashes; a gap between liner and lash line is what makes eyeliner look drawn on.

More eye technique in the makeup section.