How to Use a Stamp Eyeliner Pen

A stamp eyeliner pen replaces freehand drawing with a shaped or rolling tip that lays the line down for you. To use one, start with clean, dry lids, rest your elbow on a table, press or roll the tip gently along the upper lash line, and let it dry before blinking hard. Work in short sections and connect them. The tool does the shaping, so the skill is mostly in placement and light pressure.

What kinds of stamp eyeliner are there?

Check which design your pen has, and follow any directions on its packaging.

Before you start

• Clean, dry, oil-free lids. Liner skips and smudges on oil. Blot with a tissue, and set the lid with a little translucent powder or a matte eyeshadow.
• Do your eyeshadow first. Liner goes on top.
• Test on the back of your hand to see how much pressure gives a clean mark.
• Have a cotton bud and makeup remover ready for corrections.
• Steady yourself. Sit down, elbow on the table, little finger resting on your cheek.

How to use a rolling tip, step by step

1. Look down into a mirror, so the lid is smooth and flat.
2. Hold the pen so the wheel sits flat against the lid, right at the base of the lashes.
3. Start at the middle of the lash line. Roll outward to the outer corner with light, even pressure.
4. Return to the inner corner and roll toward the middle to join up, using even lighter pressure for a thinner line.
5. For a small flick, roll a few millimeters past the outer corner, angled toward the tail of your brow.
6. Fill any gaps with a second light pass.
7. Keep your eye closed or look down for several seconds while it dries.

How to use a wing stamp, step by step

1. Look straight ahead, eyes open and relaxed. A wing placed with the eye closed often changes shape when the eye opens.
2. Find the angle: an imaginary line from the outer corner of your eye toward the tail of your brow.
3. Line the stamp up so its inner end meets the outer corner of your upper lash line.
4. Press straight down and lift straight off. Do not rock or drag.
5. Use the pen tip to draw a thin line along the lash line and connect it to the wing.
6. Repeat on the other eye. Stamps are often made as a left and right pair.

A quick-dry stamp-style pen

The Uexim rotary stamp eyeliner pen is a smooth, quick-drying, stamp-style eyeliner pen designed for a precise, natural finish. The listing describes its formula as waterproof, long-lasting and smudge-resistant, with a shelf life of 36 months. It comes in two options, shown in the product photos.

Tips for a clean result

• Use light pressure. Pressing hard gives a thick, blotchy line.
• Stay close to the lashes. A gap of bare skin between the line and the lashes looks unfinished.
• Build thickness in passes instead of in one heavy stroke.
• Do both eyes in stages. A section on one, then the same on the other, to keep them even.
• Sharpen the edge with a pointed cotton bud and a little remover, sweeping upward from underneath the wing.

Troubleshooting

• The line skips. The lid is oily or powdery with shimmer. Blot and set with matte powder.
• The tip seems dry. Store the pen tip-down and capped. Wipe product build-up from the tip with a tissue.
• The wing transfers to the upper lid. Keep your eyes half closed until it is dry, and set hooded lids with powder first.
• The wings do not match. Mark a small dot where each wing should end before stamping.
• It smudges under the eye. Avoid cream products around the outer corner.

How do you remove waterproof liner?

Hold a cotton pad soaked in an oil-based or dual-phase eye makeup remover over the closed eye for several seconds, then wipe gently downward. Do not scrub. Follow with your usual cleanser.

Care and safety

• Cap the pen tightly after each use.
• Do not share eye makeup.
• Do not use eyeliner on irritated or infected eyes, and replace eye products after an eye infection.
• If you have sensitive skin, patch test on your arm first.
• Keep the product out of the eye itself. If it gets in, rinse with clean water.

Frequently asked questions

Is stamp eyeliner good for beginners?

Yes. It removes most of the freehand drawing, which is the hardest part.

Does it work on hooded eyes?

Yes, with a thinner line and a wing placed with the eyes open, so it shows below the fold.

How long does it take to dry?

Quick-dry formulas set in several seconds. Keep your eye relaxed until then.

Can I use it on the lower lash line?

A fine pen tip can be used there sparingly. Rolling tips and wing stamps are made for the upper lid.

The bottom line

Oil-free lids, a steady elbow, light pressure, and short sections close to the lashes. Let the pen's tip shape the line, and give it a few seconds to dry.