Series: Michiko Fujiwara, August 2018 | Effortlessly Enhance Mature Eyes: Lower Lash Line
BEAUTY / THE EXPERTS
August 29, 2018

Series: Michiko Fujiwara, August 2018 | Effortlessly Enhance Mature Eyes: Lower Lash Line


Series: Michiko Fujiwara, August 2018 | Effortlessly Enhance Mature Eyes: Lower Lash Line


Makeup Techniques I Can't Live Without Since My 40s


There's a makeup technique I've come to rely on since my mid-40s, whenever I'm interviewed, giving lectures, or attending parties – essentially, anytime I'm in the public eye. It's drawing a line along the base of the lower lashes with an eyeliner pencil. For this, I don't use a regular thin-tipped pencil or one without pearl. Instead, I use a pencil with a thick tip that contains pearl. For me, these are essential conditions for an eyeliner pencil used on the lower lash line.

Photographs & Text by FUJIWARA Michiko




Why a "Just Right" Lower Lash Line Differs from the Upper


This is because if you draw a line along the lower lash line with a regular thin eyeliner pencil, it can look too sharp and severe, giving an impression of heavy makeup. Furthermore, unlike the upper lid, any slight waver in a line on the lower lash line becomes very noticeable. Also, a thin tip is difficult and painful to apply along the inner rim of the lower lid. Most importantly, when drawing a line, you're looking with your eyes open, and the sight of a sharp tip entering your field of vision can be frightening!

For these reasons, a pencil with a thicker tip is the correct choice for the lower lash line. A thicker tip offers stability, allowing for quick and easy application without wobbling. It also avoids creating a dark, sharp line, resulting in a more natural impression. Additionally, thicker tips are generally softer than thin ones, making them less painful and intimidating to apply. Above all, because they are thick, they can only be applied imprecisely, in a rather casual manner, which is precisely what works best for the lower lash line.

As for why a pencil without pearl doesn't work, it's because colors appear more pronounced on the lower lid than the upper. A dark color would simply look harsh. However, the subtle shimmer of pearl transforms the color into a nuanced shade that blends easily with the eye area, making the eyes appear dewy and luminous.

However, when choosing pearl, be sure to select one with fine particles, not large ones. Otherwise, you won't achieve that "dewy eye" effect, and the pearl particles might easily get into your eyes, so please be mindful of this.

How to Apply and the Effects of a Lower Lash Line


When drawing a line along the lower lash line, hold a hand mirror vertically, tilt your chin down slightly, and look slightly upward as you draw. You can start drawing from anywhere. Apply it lightly and swiftly, without applying pressure.

What are the effects of drawing a line along the lower lash line in this way? It's a simple way to add depth and expressiveness to mature eyes, whose gaze can sometimes lose its intensity. You could say it creates "nuanced, captivating eyes." This is a charm that only becomes more pronounced with age. That's why it has become an essential technique for me personally since my mid-40s whenever I appear in public. And, of course, to achieve those "dewy eyes"!

As we age, dullness around the lower eyelids can become a concern. If you've been focusing solely on brightening it with concealer, consider a shift in perspective. By drawing a line along the lower lash line, you can camouflage the dullness by blending it with the color of the line. In other words, you can utilize the dullness as a form of eyeshadow. Recommended colors for achieving this effect include deep shades like gray, brown, khaki, or purple. And, of course, don't forget the pearlescent finish.

Incidentally, while these thick eyeliner pencils have become indispensable to me, finding ones that meet my criteria is surprisingly difficult. And even when I find a favorite, it's often discontinued quickly. Perhaps this is because the power and appeal of this technique are not widely known. For my own sake (a wry smile), I'm keen to share this technique more broadly.

Achieve Deeper, More Natural-Looking Eyes with Cosme Decorte's Limited Edition "Eye Crayon"


The product shown in the photo is the limited edition "Eye Crayon" from Cosme Decorte, released on Tuesday, August 21, 2018. It's marketed not as an eyeliner but as a pencil-type eyeshadow, making it suitable for use as an eyeshadow on the upper lid as well as for the lower lash line. Its sheer, nuanced color payoff makes it easy for beginners to try the lower lash line technique. Plus, its long-lasting formula ensures it won't smudge easily.

There are five shades available. My recommended usage is to apply the bottom three (BR321, BE320, PK820) along the entire lower lash line as a nuanced liner. The top two (PU120, GD020) are used as highlighters at the inner corners of the eyes. After application, gently blend with your fingertip for a more natural look.

Simply incorporate the lower lash line into your regular makeup routine. Try this technique to effortlessly achieve sophisticated, deep eyes reminiscent of European women with just one stroke.

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