Quick answer: The trick is to work a soft, creamy waterproof eyeliner directly into the lash line — nestling color between the lashes themselves, not just tightlining above or below them. Filling that little gap makes the lash line read noticeably thicker and fuller, no falsies required. It only works with a liner that glides on, so it won't drag delicate mature lids.
Key takeaways
- The magic is in the lashes, not above them. Getting color between the actual lashes — not just a line above or below — is what makes the lash line look denser.
- Use a soft, creamy, waterproof liner. A hard, dry pencil drags on delicate mature lids; a formula that glides is what makes the trick work.
- Soften, don't stress about a perfect line. A short smudge brush blends any wobble into a flattering smoky finish.
- It's a special-occasion booster — great for a wedding, a date night, or any time you want more definition.
- Aging is something to celebrate. This Fierce Aging episode with Vera, 72, is really about wearing your years with joy.
Hey ladies — welcome back to the Fierce Aging series. In this episode Nikol sits down with Vera, a 72-year-old retired librarian who drove all the way down from Chicago to share her story, and then does a full, glamorous makeup tutorial on her. Vera's outlook says it all: don't be afraid of aging, and don't try to cover it up — every gray hair and wrinkle means you've lived life. Along the way, Nikol shares her sneaky little eyeliner trick for making lashes look thicker. Here's exactly how she does it.
What is the eyeliner trick that makes lashes look thicker?
Most of us line above the lashes or do a classic tight line just under them. Nikol's trick goes one step further: after tightlining, she works the liner right into the lashes themselves, filling the tiny gaps at the root. As she puts it, "it's not even so much the tight line — I'm in the actual lashes," so the lash line instantly looks thicker and fuller. In the video you can see the difference side by side: the treated eye reads denser than the untouched one, with no false lashes involved. It's a small change with a big, lash-boosting payoff.
How do you do the lash-line eyeliner trick, step by step?
Nikol used a soft plum waterproof eyeliner on Vera, but any creamy, glide-on liner in your shade will work. Here's the sequence:
- Start with a creamy, waterproof liner. It should glide rather than drag — that's non-negotiable on delicate mature lids.
- Line the base of the upper lashes with light pressure, letting the liner do the work instead of pressing hard.
- Balance the lower lash line by lining about three-quarters of the way along underneath.
- Soften it up with a short, dense smudge brush — Nikol calls it her "eraser brush" — to blend any uneven spots into a smoky finish. Don't panic if the line isn't perfect.
- Tightline along the upper waterline, right under the lashes, for extra depth.
- Now the trick: go back in and work the liner between the actual lashes at the root, thickening the lash line itself.
- Finish with mascara. Nikol used Volume Up Mascara, resting the wand at the base and combing up to catch every little lash.
Why does the type of eyeliner matter on mature eyes?
Nikol is adamant that a hard, dry pencil is the enemy here — it drags across thin, delicate eyelids and never delivers a clean, pigmented line. A soft, creamy waterproof formula glides on with almost no pressure, which is gentler and gives a richer payoff in one pass. If you're new to lining the waterline or working into the lash line, go slowly, keep your hand light, patch-test any new product first, and stop if your eyes feel irritated. If you wear contacts or have sensitive eyes, an eye-safe, ophthalmologist-tested liner is worth seeking out.
How did Nikol build the rest of Vera's look?
The eyeliner trick lives inside a full mature-skin routine. Nikol started by prepping the under-eye area with the These Bags Are Designer silicone eye pads (paired with an Estée Lauder eye cream) and the Cooling Eye Roller to de-puff, followed later by Fiercely Smooth Face Primer for a hydrated base.
For the eyes and brows, she mapped Vera's arch with the Precision Eyebrow Stencils and the Skinny Brow Pencil in Taupe, then set the hairs with a blonde brow mascara. She neutralized the lids with the #1 Eye Primer and built a soft, glamorous eye from the Sweet Carol palette — sheen in the center, matte to define the outer corner — before the plum liner and mascara.
On the complexion, Nikol lifted blue-gray shadows with the Just Peachy corrector and calmed redness with No Redness, then buffed in BB Cream with the Foundation Buffing Brush for see-through coverage. She set the under-eyes with Nikita Banana brightening powder and added a creamy concealer only where Vera needed a little more lift.
To finish, a St. Barts cream blush warmed the cheeks, and a Rosé All Day lip liner set up Pretty Smart lipstick topped with Coco 13 gloss. Nikol also added lightweight false lashes for the reveal — but the point of the eyeliner trick is that you can get a fuller lash line without them.
The bottom line
The thicker-lash trick isn't about doing more — it's about placing color where it actually counts: between the lashes. Pair a creamy, glide-on liner with a light hand and you'll take any eye look up a notch, whether it's a quiet day or a big occasion. Explore Nikol's eyeliners, browse the full eyes edit, and finish with a lash-loving mascara.
Frequently Asked Questions
What exactly is Nikol's eyeliner trick for thicker lashes?
After tightlining, Nikol works the eyeliner directly into the lashes themselves — filling the tiny gaps at the root rather than just drawing a line above or below them. That fills in the lash line so it looks noticeably thicker and fuller. As she says, it's less about the tight line and more about getting the color in among the actual lashes.
What kind of eyeliner do I need for it?
A soft, creamy, waterproof liner that glides on with very little pressure. A hard, dry pencil drags across delicate mature eyelids and won't deposit enough color between the lashes to create the effect. Nikol used a plum waterproof liner on Vera, but any creamy, glide-on formula in a shade you love will work.
Is the lash-line trick the same as tightlining?
Not quite. Tightlining means running liner along the upper waterline, just under the lashes. Nikol does that first, then takes it further by working the liner in among the actual lashes at the root. That extra step is what thickens the lash line itself, giving more definition than tightlining alone.
Is this technique safe for mature or sensitive eyes?
It can be, as long as you use a gentle, glide-on liner and a light hand near the lash line. Patch-test any new product before full use, avoid pressing hard on delicate lids, and stop if your eyes feel irritated. If you wear contacts or have sensitive eyes, look for an eye-safe, ophthalmologist-tested formula.
What occasions is this trick best for?
It's a great way to take your makeup up a notch when you want more definition — think a wedding, a date night, or any event where you'd like fuller-looking lashes. It also works beautifully as an everyday upgrade if you simply love the look. Adjust the intensity by softening the line with a smudge brush.
Do I still need mascara or false lashes?
The trick is designed to make your lash line look thicker without falsies, so false lashes are optional. Nikol added lightweight lashes for Vera's reveal, but finished every eye with mascara to grab and lift the natural lashes. For an easy result, pair the liner trick with a volumizing mascara and skip the falsies.
