Quick answer: The unknown eyeliner trick is to apply a soft waterproof pencil with a short smudge brush instead of drawing it straight onto your lid. You run the brush across the pencil to pick up color, then press it into the lash line. The brush lays down a soft, smoked line with no skipping, dragging, or mistakes — exactly what mature lids need.
Key takeaways
- The trick: lift color off a soft waterproof pencil with a short smudge brush, then press it into the lash line — no tugging on delicate mature skin.
- A soft-formula waterproof eyeliner (not a hard, stabby pencil) is what makes the smudge-brush method work.
- Prep the lid with primer and shadow first so the line has a smooth base and stays put.
- Dark chocolate brown defines mature eyes without the harshness of black.
- The same brush lets you smoke the lower lash line and wing it out with control.
Hey ladies — this video is a holiday-lunch get-ready-with-me, and midway through it Nikol calls out a deceptively simple technique she discovered almost by accident: applying eyeliner with a brush instead of the pencil tip. Here is exactly how the trick works and where it fits in her full mature-eye routine.
What is the unknown eyeliner trick?
Most of us drag a pencil straight across the lid, which skips and pulls on softer mature skin. Instead, Nikol loads a little color from a soft waterproof pencil onto a short smudge brush and applies it with the brush. Because the brush controls where and how much color lands, you get an even, smoked line in one pass — no harsh edges and no mistakes. She uses the Waterproof Eyeliner in Dark Chocolate, a soft formula she created for mature eyes so it does not stab or tug, kept freshly pointed with the Nikol Beauty pencil sharpener.
How do you apply eyeliner with a smudge brush?
- Sharpen the soft waterproof pencil so the tip is clean and pointed.
- Run a short smudge brush back and forth across the pencil so it picks up a little color.
- Press the loaded brush along the base of your upper lashes, working in short strokes.
- Take the same brush under the lower lash line for a soft, smoky finish.
- Build gradually — add another pass for depth, or wing it out at the outer corner.
Nikol notes the method is also lovely on a bare, nude eye if you want to try a colored liner such as plum or navy without any eyeshadow.
What is the full eye routine around the trick?
Start with the #1 Eye Primer, tapped from the base of the lashes up to the brow bone to neutralize discoloration and give everything a grippy base. Sweep the Le Bottled Blonde eyeshadow palette across the lid — center to inner corner and back — then build a soft triangle of the deeper shade at the outer corner. Curl your lashes, apply the eyeliner with the smudge-brush trick, and finish with Volume Up Mascara, whose toothed wand grabs even short baby lashes. A touch of cream blush pulls the whole look together.
Why brown eyeliner instead of black after 50?
Black liner creates a hard edge that can make mature eyes look smaller and draw attention to any sparseness along the lash line. A deep chocolate brown gives the same definition with softness — it flatters every eye color and reads polished rather than severe. It is the shade Nikol reaches for again and again on mature eyes.
The bottom line
The real secret is not a fancy product — it is the application. Pair a soft waterproof pencil with a short smudge brush and you will lay down a flattering, smoked line that lasts all day without dragging mature skin. Explore Nikol's eyeliners, the full eye collection, and brushes & tools to try the technique yourself.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the unknown eyeliner trick for mature women?
Instead of drawing the pencil straight onto your lid, you lift color off a soft waterproof eyeliner with a short smudge brush and press it into the lash line. The brush lays down a soft, even, smoked line without dragging delicate mature skin, skipping over texture, or leaving harsh mistakes.
How do you apply eyeliner with a smudge brush?
Sharpen the pencil, then run a short smudge brush across the tip to pick up product. Press the loaded brush along the base of your upper lashes in short strokes, building the color gradually. Take the same brush under the lower lash line for a soft smoky effect, and wing it out if you like.
What eyeliner works best for the smudge-brush method?
A soft-formula waterproof pencil, like Nikol's Dark Chocolate Waterproof Eyeliner made for mature eyes. It is creamy enough to release color onto a brush yet still sets waterproof on the skin. Hard, stiff pencils do not transfer well to the brush and can drag or tug at delicate lids.
What is the best eyeliner color for mature eyes?
Soft, deep browns such as dark chocolate. They define the lash line with a flattering softness, while black can create a hard edge that makes eyes look smaller and emphasizes any sparseness. Brown suits every eye color and reads polished rather than severe on mature skin.
Do you need to prime your eyelids first?
Yes. Nikol starts with an eye primer tapped from the lash line to the brow bone to neutralize discoloration and give shadow and liner a smooth, grippy base. Without primer, even the best liner can skip, fade, or migrate into the crease throughout the day.
