Do you have a sparkling black or beautiful copper or even a shimmery aquamarine eyeshadow in your collection that you’d love to use as liner?

You’re in luck because it’s easy as pie. Just like in our post on how to use eyeshadow wet, all you need is an angled eyeliner brush, a spray bottle with water or other eye-safe liquid, and your beautiful shadow.

Let’s get started!

Step 1: Load Your Brush Up With Pigment

The first step is to take your brush and get it nice and full of the eyeshadow. You want to make sure your shadow is pigmented enough to make a good liner.

I’m using Dofa from Menagerie’s Smokey Glow palette here. It’s a sparkly blackened purple with lots of pigmentation; perfect as liner.

Step 2: Dampen Your Brush With Water or a Setting Spray

Next, take a spray bottle (one that mists) and spray either water or something like MAC’s Fix+ onto the brush. You don’t want it dripping wet, but you also want to make sure it’s thoroughly dampened. The pigments from the shadow and the spray will combine on your lash line when you apply.

Step 3: Line Away

Now’s the time! With the wet, shadow-loaded brush, draw on your liner. You should see a nice, color-saturated line once shadow and water start blending.

If this doesn’t happen, you probably need more pigment on your brush. And if your shadow doesn’t specify that it’s a wet/dry shadow, try to stick to a corner or the side of the pan so you don’t damage the shadow right in the middle. Spray lightly and try again!

This is also what you’d do to reload on pigment for the next eye, if you need it.

That’s It!

I love to use eyeshadow as liner. In fact, I made it a whole category of recommendation in my indie eyeshadow singles post. I find it easier and less expensive than actual pencil liner.

If you’re new to the eyeshadow-as-liner scene, welcome! I hope this opens up a whole new world as far as what you can do with your eyeshadow collection.