Nicki Sebastian’s Foolproof Eyeliner Trick (Even for Marathons)
Photographer Nicki Sebastian doesn’t wear a ton of makeup, except for her cat-eye liner, which she’s worn for 30 years, every day since eighth grade. “I’ve worn it through every occasion imaginable: marathons, snorkeling,” she says. “When I had leukemia, I wore it through every round of chemo.” Nicki’s look is remarkably easy to pull off — even for those of us (all of us?) who lack the fine-motor skills that eyeliner typically requires. Here are her simple steps…
“First, get a twist-up liner. My go-to drugstore one is Revlon ColorStay Eyeliner in Black Brown. It’s inexpensive and easy, and I used that one for years. But my current favorite is SOSHE Beauty Precision. It’s one of the thinnest liners available — only 0.5 millimeters — which is great for detail and control. I wear Deep Plum and get so many compliments on the subtle shade.”
“Start in the middle of your eyelid, right above your pupil. Using very light pressure, make little strokes along your lash line. This is key: Do not draw one continuous line, and do not press the pencil against your lid. If you do that, you’ll almost certainly veer off track. Just continue with little strokes until you’re just past the corner of your eye. Then go back to the middle and fill in the gaps with more tiny strokes, until the line is totally filled in. You can then continue in the other direction, extending the line to the inner corner with the same tiny strokes. It’s a foolproof method.
“For the cat-eye in the corner, use a super light touch to do one of those mini strokes, angling your hand slightly so the line curves up into a little wing. It’s meant to mirror the curve of your eyelashes. Start with the thinnest line possible, and if you want it thicker, just keep going back over, adding more little strokes of liner. If you mess up, just use a makeup wipe to remove that last stroke, and try again.”
“The only other makeup I wear is Tower 28 Mascara — it’s thickening and never clumps — and then I finish with Hourglass brow pencil and KS&CO brow gel. I’m obsessed with this gel; it makes them look so much fuller. When I wash everything off, I use Vanicream face wash.”
“My 13-year-old daughter is acting in Snow White right now, and I get to do her cat-eye. She’ll ask me to do a cat-eye for school dances, too — it melts my heart. I don’t consider my eyeliner necessary — it’s not something I need to feel worthy — but I enjoy adding a little pizzazz. Even after I lost my eyelashes and brows during chemo, I’d still put on my everyday cat-eye — it makes me feel like myself.”
Thank you so much, Nicki! We love your look and your generosity in sharing your skills with us.
P.S. More fun beauty posts, including a five-second blush trick and Gemma’s amazing lipstick find.
(Photos courtesy of Nicki Sebastian.)
Tags: makeup, makeup tutorial
Comments
76 commentsI’m trying that Tower 28 mascara, love it! And it comes in a travel size if you want a little less commitment. Thank you for the rec Nikki!
Nicki truly looks fabulous with eyeliner. Such a signature look– I love that. For the record, eyeliner looks terrible on me. But I love when people find what works for them and make it their signature, no matter if it’s trendy or not. I guess my signature would be my hair: chin length bob + bangs. I’ll never get rid of the bangs!
What a beautiful woman. She glows from the inside out. Appreciate the mascara reco — have been looking for a new one since my fave of around a decade has just changed their formula and its just not it…
Highly recommend Sarah Creal beauty products. It is formulated for over 40+ and it works! The mascara is awesome and does not cause raccoon eyes. My teen daughter loves it because it is cruelty free. She also has an eyeliner specifically designed to not transfer.
Love you Nicki!
Another hooded eye lady here. That revlon liner just rubs right off me:( One that stays on is Wonderskin’s. However it only comes in a pencil and is SO HARD to sharpen without it crumbling. Has anyone ever tried those “tattoo” markers as eyeliner??
Every since her original beauty uniform you posted in 2016, I have used the exact same drug store eyeliner she recommended solely because of her. I thought I would never veer to anything else (its that good) but now I obviously have to try her new technique…thanks, Nicki!! -Signed, a fellow green-eyed girl
I am going to get one of those babies and sit and practise till I get it right. In my late 60s, I find most make-up is too heavy on my skin which has, after all these years, started to droop around my eyes. And there is a risk that too much colour on your eyes can make you look a little unfortunate. But a cat’s eye…and a flick of lipstick, not too harsh. This, I can manage.
Re: eye make up – i WANT to wear mascara regularly, but without fail, no matter what brand I choose, I end up with racoon eyes come the afternoon. Is this a watery eye problem? An application problem? I’ve just never been able to use it consistently because it looks so bleh after a few hours! Similar question for the hive mind – my makeup looks so nice when I apply it (some concealer, a bit of bronzer, eye brow gel) but also by mid day i looked washed out ! It wears off so fast. Are people reapplying mid-day or is this just..my face?!! lol
Setting spray makes a huge difference for face makeup! I use the Urban Decay one. Worth it. My makeup hasn’t budged by the end of the day. I can’t advise on mascara’s cause it’s seems so individual – everyone seems to have their favorite brand. I use a boring drugstore brand – maybelline great lash (the hot pink bottle!) in Blackest Black. Cheap and effective, no raccoon eyes. I’ve used it since I’m 16 (I’m 35 now), never felt the need to deviate (even though there are surely better brands out there). Also in terms of makeup that lasts all day, I love Estée Lauder Double Wear for foundation and concealer (applied with a wet sponge for a more natural look) and Too Faced Chocolat Soleil bronzer. :)
I have a similar mascara issue but try tubing mascara, it works great for me. instead of painting color on your lashes it makes tubes around them so it doesn’t smear, and they wash off with water so you don’t have to mess with remover. Thrive causemetics makes one, kulfi badi lash at Sephora, benefit bang, there are others too.
Hot tip: Maybelline Sky High is a drugstore dupe for the Thrive mascara. xo
I used to wear mascara without problem, but then all year I found it was rubbing off after a few hours. I finally figured out the issue. I have switched to moisturizing with a face oil (which I love and do recommend!). And the oil that hadn’t soaked into my skin yet was removing all the makeup. This is probably not your problem, but I just thought I would mention it just in case! Maybe everyone else already knew this about moisturizing with face oil, but I didn’t.
yes, I’ve always had this problem even after trying a million mascaras. I’ve switched to occasionally tinting my lashes. If I want to feel really put together, I curl them quickly with an eyelash curler. I feel like they’ve never looked better, and the best part is not having to try getting mascara off!
Wow beautiful, thank you for sharing this with us! I never got the hang of eyeliner, but maybe at 40 I’ll give it a go again :) Would also love to know your skincare routine if you’d be willing to share – your skin looks incredible!
I’m so flattered, Liz! Thank you! I swear by Weleda Skin Food face cream, Mad Hippie Vitamin C serum, and Innisfree Daily UV Defense invisible sunscreen! If I’m going out and want an extra layer of tint to even things out a bit more, I opt for Iris and Romeo Weekend Skin in Natural Glow—super lightweight alternative to foundation!
I went to Wahlgreens last night and bought Revlon Color Stay in Black Brown because my girl Nicki recommended it. This morning my eyes look amazing. Thanks for the tip! :)
YES KARRIE!! Get that pizzazz, lady! xo
I’ve tried so many eyeliners and they always smudge below my eyes. Can anyone who has had this issue recommend an eyeliner that’s not liquid?
Also, please for the love of cheese, can you stop the annoying side pop up ads that take over your screen? I had to minimize 3 times just to make my last comment. There has to be a better way.
our ad network keeps saying we don’t have expanders! going to talk to them again — so sorry, Melanie!
I have mostly joined the “no eye makeup” movement. It’s SO bad for your eye health and honestly, you are all SO beautiful without it. I don’t mind it for special occasions or events, and as a person who ALWAYS wore mascara (and embraced lash extensions for a while), it was an adjustment. I have learned to love my natural look. I support whatever makes anyone feel good/pretty/confident, so no judgement, but I do love that the world is moving towards less eye makeup.
Ohh I’m with ya here! I have suuuper dry, sensitive eyes and they feel much better when I don’t wear any eye makeup. Now I have Ilia mascara for special occasions, but otherwise go without. I thought I’d feel weird wearing a brighter lip without any eye makeup, but I got used to it.
Same! A little mascara for special occasions, and I have a simple brow pencil because I jumped on the pencil thin brow trend in high school and they never grew back right. Oh well.
But what to do if your lashes are invisible (blonde) without?? I want to be this way but also do not love looking hairless :) my dream tho!
VMN, maybe you can tint your lashes? I know it’s still likely to be irritating to your eyes but I do have friends who are very blonde and do it and it looks WAY better than even mascara, in my opinion. I bet there are salons that offer versions that are gentle too.
I found this to be the case as well. I’ll wear a little bit for special occasions but day to day, it’s clean. My skin is so much healthier now. More glowy and less wrinkles surprisingly. Took a few months for the cell turnover but Glorious! VNM: I think it’s probably similar to adapting that CoJ post about trying a new trend for awhile and then it feels less odd. Maybe try it for 2 weeks and see how you feel. I can guarantee no one else is judging your blonde lashes so perhaps it’s one’s internal criticism that’s the hurdle. Or, go makefup free and just wear mascara. There are no rules :)
Hooded eyed people: I have extremely hooded eyes, and I use a liquid eyeliner pen. Look straight on at the mirror, and start at the outside of your wing and move in toward the lid, using a super light to heavy hand as you get to the lid. It will look insane when you close your eyes, but so good with your eyes open. I usually only take it to the outside of my iris on a casual day and to mid pupil on a fancier day.
Going to try this!! Thank you!
This is such good advice. Do you have liquid eyeliner you like?
I watched a tutorial for hooded eye people that had you do the cat eye from your lower lash line. Life changing.
Kate, I really just use the cheap stuff: ELF and Wet & Wild. If you want an upgrade, the MAC one is probably my favorite.
What a babe! I wore a lot of makeup in my youth and I gotta say, no eye makeup now feels like a power move! It just looks so clean and, dare I say it —chic! Especially if you put on some BOLD lipstick with it. I go with dark purple and then take the toddler to gymnastics. 🥀
Wish you were in my toddler’s gymnastics class! That is too cool!!
THIS!
Unrelated makeup question, would love help – I have blonde eyelashes. How do you put on mascara given the color will only get on the lower part of the lashes / the upper part will remain blonde? I tried stroking downwards on the top of the upper lashes first, but I feel like that didn’t really work. Do I have to wear eyeliner? Also, I have long lashes and when I put mascara on the bottom (for color purposes) it makes them look spidery and flakes under my eyes. Any help from blonde eyelash people? I know I could probably get them tinted, but that seems really expensive to maintain. Thanks!
You can buy lash tint kits to do at home! I would just do a little research to make sure they’re reputable (Reddit beauty forums are a good place to research).
Not sure how helpful this is, but saw this video recently where the makeup artists puts mascara on the eyelash comb then eyelashes – that technique could work? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=icD8IxqxBD4
Hi, Phoebe. I have blonde lashes and enjoy getting a lash tint – especially in the summer when I’m more often make up free. When I put on mascara, I have to jiggle the wand all the way up my lashes so both sides are coated. I notice others doing this at their base (maybe to add darkness near the lid?), but I have to do it all the way up for a 360 coat. At the top of my lashes, I coat the backside with little downward strokes. Not sure if this will work for everyone but thought I’d share in case it’s helpful!
I have nice eyebrows and eyelashes, but particularly my brows have gotten really gray as I’ve gotten older. I wear mascara on special occasions, but primarily go without. I have my lashes and brows dyed monthly. It makes a huge difference. Sometimes I will wear eyeliner. I have oily lids and like the felt tip kind ( like Kat VonD) that doesn’t smear and is supper easy to put on! I like that they make a very dark brown. Black is too harsh for some of , especially if you are older and or fair.
I’ve tinted my own eyebrows at home and it’s easy. Lashes I would never attempt. I would be too worried it would get in my eye.
“I don’t consider my eyeliner necessary — it’s not something I need to feel worthy — but I enjoy adding a little pizzazz. ” This sentiment, for all style, makeup, design, LIFE choices! We’re already worthy, but the pizzazz is great too!
I loved this quote so much! I don’t have much going on today but I decided to do eyeline, mascara and my brows just because :)
Wholeheartedly agree, Colleen! Life is infinitely more fun when you add pieces of flair for the heck of it! xo
I’ve been influenced to start tightlining my upper eyelid and I love the results. It gives your eyes a boost, but makes you look more awake if that makes sense. The trick is to use a gel eyeliner that glides, but stays. I started with Charlotte Tilbury, but dying to try Victoria Beckham Beauty Satin Kajal Liner next.
I have the Victoria Beckham liner and it is chef’s kiss! Goes on so smooth and is really richly pigmented.
Cries in 49 year old, hooded eyes.
nicki could share absolutely anything and i’d devour the content!!
Ha! Made me chuckle and blush, Mary Jo :)
Iran. Lebanon. Cuba. I don’t even know where to put Gaza, probably in the forever being butchered by the Israeli Zionists and paid by the U.S tax payers category.
She’s so gorgeous, but what I really want to know is how she gets such a glowing complexion.
Would love a video too!
Any fellow stye sufferers out there? I get one every time I wear makeup no matter what. Justice for stye balls!
I have very sensitive light eyes and used to get styes all the time when I was younger. Now I never do. I thought it was something I grew out of. I do rinse my eyes with cold water every morning. I have allergies, but don’t like to take anything.
Hot tip for high-contrast brunettes with a revolutionary twinkle in your eye: I sometimes line part of my lower lid with lavender liner and it looks really brightening. I also keep a list of bullsh*t I didn’t buy (clothes I put back on the rack, makeup I didn’t buy then just used what I had) and I pay it toward my student loans twice monthly following the ritual of drinking four coffees and cutting my own bangs (with a razor tool that the Edo lady taught me to use) while listening to Cher and being ungovernable. There is joy and newness and pleasure everywhere and nobody can trick us into thinking you have to buy it
Starting my own list today- up first cutting hair after watching tutorials, then off to build my spring wardrobe from my own closet Thank you
Jenny, our queen!!!! I’ll follow you anywhere (to the revolution)
Yes, Jenny! The more you buy, the worse your style! Congrats on paying down those loans and being ungovernable.
I love this for you Jenny. Amazon allows lists. I put nearly everything i want on a whim on that. Those things mostly just stay there, unless someone needs a hint for a gift for me, and then I have something easy for them (they don’t have to buy from Amazon either). Re student loans. Despite having family tragedy after family tragedy (interspersed with some insane joy!!) for the last many years, i got crazy lucky in one respect. My fairy god father, Joe Biden forgave my loans, all $33k of them a couple years back. I got a letter in the mail telling me it had already been done. And it really for real had. That debt most certainly would have followed this preschool teacher to my grave. (I’m 53). All I can say is I want this for EVERYONE and I will continue to vote for democrats in the hopes that things will get better. Keep being ungovernable. I bet your bangs look epic.
Looks beautiful on you! I have totally given up on makeup at 40, ha. Looks so pretty on others but I get too frustrated.
My trick is not to use eyeliner at all. Buy yourself the THINNEST makeup brush, wet the tip and dredge it in your favorite eye shadow then paint it on – it’s much more forgiving, softer and now you have a cojillion shades. I like a deep taupe for my spring colors the most. I almost never a use a color under my eyes but if I do it’s a softer / lighter eye shadow color and again, the thin brush works wonders.
I’ve been doing that too! I found a very fine lip liner brush and have been using that to do my eyeliner-done-with-eyeshadow.
I love doing this too!
You are so so pretty! How do you do the bottom lid?!? That’s always been my biggest question. I use Clinique twist up gel eyeliner in clove and I love it.
Tess, you’re so sweet! To answer your question, I actually don’t line the bottom at all—I only use mascara. I find that lining both top and bottom actually makes my eyes look smaller. Hope that helps!
Does this work for hooded eyelids?
I have very hooded eyes (since birth and more exaggerated now that I’m in my 50s), so thin lines don’t show at all on me. Maybe a similar technique but with thicker strokes? I’d love a simple eye makeup routine for my eyelid type but have never found anything that works.
Anon, I have extremely hooded eyes, and I use a liquid eyeliner pen. Look straight on at the mirror, and start at the outside of your wing and move in toward the lid, using a super light to heavy hand as you get to the lid. It will look insane when you close your eyes, but so good with your eyes open. I usually only take it to the outside of my iris on a casual day and to mid pupil on a fancier day.
I need a video tutorial!!
Came here to say the same. COJ Team, can you please consider video or at least gifs for next time? Thanks :)
Would be so helpful! I can never actually get the wing part right. Would be helpful to see.
Third this!!
Eyeliner NEVER stays on my lids. Maybe I have oily lids? Also, I think I subconsciously rub my eyes a lot. Any tips?
This is me. The only thing I’ve ever found that doesn’t raccoon me is: MAC Pro Longwear Fluidline Waterproof Gel Eyeliner You need a brush and the application is a little bit more challenging because of that, but I feel like I tried all the other recs and they were a bust. But I’ll be tuning in to see if there are other good recs!
Long time Revlon colorstay eyeliner fan!!! You can try an eyelid primer to control the oils, or use a little neutral eyeshadow as a base layer before applying the liner.
I use the Kat von D ( I think it has a slightly different name now) and it’s a gel pen waterproof liner that doesn’t run. I have oily lids too! Sephora also makes one.