All products are independently selected by our editors. If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Colored eyeliner is one of my favorite ways to switch up my makeup lately. Finding shades outside of the usual blue, purple and green can be difficult, though. Many times, the formulas for more vibrant hues are streaky, too. Makeup artists on Instagram often use liquid lipstick in the place of a liner when they can't find one in their desired shade like red or teal. Finding liquid lipsticks that are eye safe can be difficult, though. Enter loose pigments. The seemingly messy beauty product is actually the perfect liner substitute. You just have to do some quick concocting.
When you mix a sprinkle or two of loose pigments with a couple drops of select liquids, you'll get a long-wearing liner in the color of your choice. The liquid you use is up to you, though. Some people use water, but your custom liner won't have peak staying power. Others use a setting spray, but let's be real, spritzing one can get all over everything but the area where you want it. Luckily, Redditors on the MakeupAddiction subreddit recently shared their favorite methods of transforming loose pigments into liner. These five concentrated and unexpected formulas ensures your new liner glides easily onto lids and stays put all day long, just like your favorite black liquid liner.
A user who goes by GirlwithSpecs recommended Inglot's Duraline, a clear, surprisingly waterless fluid that helps intensify pigments and keeps them from smudging and creasing. "Just add a drop of it to your pigment, and it will turn it into an intense liner," she wrote. Someone else called Chryses_ also provided a bonus tip for using Duraline. "I use that to revive my dried-out [Anastasia Beverly Hills Dipbrow Pomades]," she added. Noted.
Several people raved about the wonders of the Nyx Multitasker Mixing Medium. Affordable price aside, the translucent gel has a tacky consistency that's great for loose pigments flecked with glitter. It will make sure the shimmer stays on your lids and doesn't fly all over your face.
Makeup artists and Redditors alike swear by Mehron's iconic Mixing Liquid. Pat McGrath loves it so much that she included a mini bottle in her sold-out Metalmorphosis 005 Kit. What's the hype all about? You can get a lot for a little. PowerWordCoffee replied to the thread saying, "I have a water bottle size for about $14." You don't really need that much, though. Even the tiniest, pea-sized drop is enough to make enough liner for both eyes. Try it with a metallic loose pigment to make your own version of the molten-like ones that went viral on McGrath's Instagram.
The E.L.F. Makeup Lock & Seal is another popular option on Reddit. The set comes with a dropper filled with a water-based formula, a mini mixing brush, and a little jar to whip up your new liner in. For $3, that's a pretty damn convenient set.
Eye drops were the most unexpected option to be mentioned, but they make sense. You can guarantee they are eye safe, and they're easily accessible if you wear contacts or have allergies. "Honestly, just get Visine," a user named Snekandbirb wrote."You don’t need anything fancy for a mixer." Others suggested contact solution or Refresh Tears — not to be confused with fresh tears. Proceed with caution when using eye drops as a mixing medium, though. Allure has recommended reducing the size and redness of a blemish with Visine in the past, but cosmetic chemist Randy Schueller has warned against going overboard with the eye drops. "The active ingredient in the drops is a drug, which you shouldn't be putting too much of on your skin," he has told Allure.
Not sure which loose pigments to use? The M.A.C. Pigments or Wet n Wild Color Icon Pigment are always an excellent option. You can mix them together whichever formula you choose above on a handy makeup mixing palette like Morphe's. And if you need some liner inspo, this list is sure to help you out.
More makeup tricks you'll love:
- The 101 Best Eye-Makeup Tips Ever
- These Are The Best Tips On Applying Lipstick If You Have Shaky Hands
- This Winged Eyeliner Trick Is Completely Genius
Now, learn how to create a high-fashion liner look:
