We Tried TikTok's Weirdest Liquid Eyeliner Hacks So You Don’t Have To

Liquid eyeliner hacks look so easy when scrolling through your TikTok FYP. You will inevitably find a beauty creator making liquid eyeliner look simple as breathing. They place three dots, tap a finger, or use a household item like scotch tape, and a razor-sharp wing appears in seconds. But let’s be honest, how many times have you tried a viral makeup hack only to end up looking like you slept in your makeup? I am putting the internet’s favourite hacks to the test. I grabbed my go-to liner and household items and found out which TikTok eyeliner hacks are genius and

which ones belong in the bin.

The 3-Dot Winged Liner 

The 3-Dot Winged Liner Map is a viral makeup hack that strips away the need for a steady single-stroke freehand motion. It maps out the direction your wing should go and helps you decide the length of your wing. This hack is quite easy because you can use a soft gel pencil liner or a liquid eyeliner. The promise is a perfect angle and length every time. In my opinion, it is great for beginners and a good way to learn other techniques from there. I place the first dot at the outer corner of the lash line, the second dot marks the length of the wing and the third dot slightly above the crease.

The reality:

If you’re using a liquid eyeliner, the formula usually dries before the connecting strokes are completed, creating uneven textures or jagged edges. This hack depends heavily on the correct placement of the dots, and you likely won’t get the precision right. It doesn’t cater to people with hooded eyes, like myself, which might distort the finish line.

Verdict:

While it’s great for beginners, I think it will work great with an angled brush, and a MOG tip is to use a brown pencil to create the dots, and define with a liquid eyeliner for less texture or jagged edges.

Step-by-Step Finger Smudging 

Step-by-Step Finger Smudging eyeliner technique is a viral makeup hack that lets you create an effortless, smoky winged liner in seconds using a creamy pencil and your fingertip. It eliminates the need for precision brushes and gives a sultry, lived-in foxy eye effect. I happened to test this with both liquid eyeliner and a pencil, and it’s safe to say that both work beautifully (in my case because I am a liquid eyeliner connoisseur)

A warm, creamy, blendable kohl or gel liner is the perfect tool for this technique. Draw a small dot or a short, thick line directly at the outer corner of your eye where the upper and lower lash lines meet. Press your pinky or ring finger firmly over the dot, quickly drag your fingertip upward and outward at a 45-degree angle toward the end of your eyebrow. This motion instantly creates a diffused, perfect wing.

The reality:

This technique incorporates a smoky eye into the look, and you can use different coloured liner, like brown or blue, and it still looks good. It does cater to people with hooded eyes or all kinds of eye shapes.

Verdict:

This was one of my favourite hacks just because of the smoky eye effect, and I will be wearing this look more often now. A MOG tip: use a pointed cotton swab dipped in micellar water to clean up any messy edges and sharpen the tip of the wing.

The Scotch Tape Method

The Scotch Tape Method uses clear tape angled from the lower lash line to the temple to act as a straight-edged stencil. You can use cosmetic tape, as that will not bleed through when applying the liquid eyeliner when drawing. My tip is to trust the tape. This technique promises razor-sharp, crisp edges with zero cleanup, and most beauty creators use this technique more frequently. The technique requires a piece of tape that you cut and paste on the lower lash line; you can add another piece of tape over the crease to give you the angle of a wing and fill in that space with the liner. It’s also great for eyeshadow placement, giving it that angled, sophisticated look. 

The reality:

This technique is a really great way for beginners to start, a way to learn how to steady your hand when drawing a wing and one of the ways to achieve a wing that is precise. Many makeup artists and enthusiasts use this technique for graphic and crisp lines.

Verdict:

This is also one of my favourite techniques, and I do wish I followed this method when I first started with winged liner in university. A MOG tip: use this technique before applying foundation, as the tape will remove your makeup around the eye.

The Pro Tips We Put to the Test

• Avoid tugging: Never pull your eyelid sideways while applying because this distorts the skin and makes the wing uneven when you let go,

• Set it: Because finger oils transfer, use a small angled brush to gently press a matching eyeshadow over your smudged liner to lock it in place.

• Use the right product: For each hack, there is a specific product; it’s important to do your research so that you can achieve the best results and get the most out of each technique.