I feel like we all want to know how to apply eyeliner without stretching your eyelid (because none of us want to risk causing wrinkles) and the answer is always the same. “Practice, use short strokes, be a wizard” and none of it really helps. I mean all of those things do help a bit, but for some people it’s just not enough. Your skin may be a little crepey, your lids may be slightly hooded, or you simply don’t have the dexterity in your hands to get that good at it. It’s ok, you’re not alone.

If you find yourself still pulling the skin around your eyes to apply liner to the top lash line or even pulling the bottom down to apply liner to your waterline, I have simple trick that will be more gentle on your skin, and also won’t mess up your foundation. (which we all know is the unspoken issue aside from the whole wrinkle thing)

Instead of using your fingers to tug the skin and apply your liner, simple hold the area gently with your makeup sponge.

It pulls just enough to position the skin for an easy application, but its far more gentle than your fingers, and disperses the pressure so you aren’t tugging the skin as hard. It also won’t lift off the foundation and concealer that you already applied to your face, which is a huge bonus.

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve applied my liquid liner and then had to touch up the giant fingerprints on my face afterward. Super annoying, no thanks.

I mean truthfully, it’s probably better for your skin in the long run if you learn to be a wizard and not pull it at all, but this is a great compromise if you can’t seem to get the hang of that.