Something New to Learn: Applying Gel Eyeliner

A new beauty basic skill to master:

Applying gel eyeliner...

Yup, that's one of the items in my frivolous beauty bucket list - "to learn how to apply gel liner". I started probably in March or April 2014. And believe me, I'm still trying to learn until now.

You have the endless stream of YouTube videos and how-to's from Google searches to respond to the query: "How do I apply gel liner properly?"

Sorry dears if this came up from those searches, this will not be THAT post.

What I have here are not how-tos. Instead, these are six personal notes from my newbie journal. They may or may not work for you. I suggest that you pick what you need and master that art of gel liner application. Go girl! :)

1. In my case, I line my eyes before I curl my lashes. That way, I can still see the lines clearly without the curls obstructing my view.

2. In order to prevent the gel liner from drying up, I turn the bottle upside down while I'm lining my eyes until the next few seconds that I need to pick up gel liner again.

3. I try to work fast so that the second layer of the liner sticks to the first one.

4. I make sure to clean the brush and the lash curler after every use. This helps prevent buildup which may be hard to clean when it has already dried up.

5. Most importantly, I make sure to clean up all the makeup before I go to bed. But I guess, everyone knows that already.

6. And you all know this, too. Practice, practice, practice!

Top to bottom, left to right:
Maybelline liner brush (came with the gel liner)
E.L.F. small angled brush
MAC 209SE liner brush
Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Gel Liner in Black Ink (1)
Smashbox Jet Set Waterproof  Eyeliner in Dark Brown
Maybelline Eyestudio Lasting Drama in Brown (2)

Here's my nth attempt :)

Learning something new most often excites us. When life feels like a downhill or sounds like a steady monotone, I suggest you find a new skill to learn or a new hobby to master. It may not necessarily be within your work sphere or usual comfort zone. In fact, it's really "new" if it is OUTSIDE your comfort zone! 

Yes, the challenge will take up some or most of your free time. You may suck at it and there's that risk that you will get worse. But I guess, what matters more is that the extra learning took up your once unused energies. You allowed yourself to go through the whole experience of learning something unfamiliar. That's undoing the boredom or having a little adventure. Next time, you can be more creative with that bucket list, my dear. Think, "Life is indeed EXCITING!"

Disclaimer: I am not a beauty blogger. I do not recommend or rate products per se. I only share my experiences while using them and the whole thought process behind getting, using, falling in love or hating the product. I leave the beauty blogging to the experts; in fact, I go back to their reviews from time to time though I may not necessarily agree with all of these --- What's good for her may not be necessarily good for me. I am a confessed novice in every way --- I only try to view each experience with "new eyes" and reflect some more on how beauty can be a gift that should be experienced rather than seen. So don't take my word for it --- What works for me may not necessarily work for you --- but go ahead and take that adventure! The risks we take do make our lives interesting. =)