As Someone With a Lazy Eye, Here’s How I’ve Perfected My Eyeliner Technique

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Published on December 12, 2025 10:13AM

Two images of a person the first showcases applying eyeliner and the second a smiling pose after completing the makeup look — Náosha Gregg / Byrdie

Growing up, I was always fascinated by eyeliner. The dark, inky product could create stunning eye makeup looks—whether you wanted a sharp cat eye or a simple smoky waterline.

However, in 2020, I was diagnosed with amblyopia, otherwise known as a lazy eye. For a long time, I was insecure about wearing eyeliner. Would it highlight the imperfect asymmetry in my face? How could I achieve perfectly sharp wings when my eyes weren’t evenly aligned?

Now, five years later, after some trial and error, I’ve discovered techniques that let me wear eyeliner with total confidence. So, when the Y2K rimmed eyeliner trend made a comeback this year, I was all in. The dark, grunge-inspired look adds depth, dimension, and a touch of sexiness to the eyes—a style that ruled the 2000s and is now being embraced by today’s celebs like Yara Shahidi and Paris Jackson.

Naturally, seeing the creative, bold looks people were creating with rimmed eyeliner inspired me to try it myself. I found my favorite kohl pencil, went to work, and didn’t let imperfect symmetry hold me back. Ahead, I break down my step-by-step guide to achieving the rimmed eyeliner look, complete with expert tips and product recommendations.

Meet the Experts

Sarai Martinez is a celebrity hair stylist and makeup artist.
Erica Marie Gatt is an esthetician and makeup artist.

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Start With an Open Eye

A person applying eyeliner near their eye with a makeup pencil wearing hoop earrings and a striped shirt collar — Náosha Gregg / Byrdie

First and foremost, Martinez emphasizes prepping the area with a primer to help the liner glide more easily and keep your look in place all day. When I start creating my rimmed liner look, I do it with my eyes open. It helps me visually see the misalignment and ensures I'm applying the liner evenly. While the trend emphasizes a tighter, more defined line, experts suggest using a buffing method to soften the eyes. "You want a more blended, smoky rim to open up the eye more," Martinez says.

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Gently and Slowly Highlight Your Waterlines

Closeup of a person applying black eyeliner to their lower eyelid — Náosha Gregg / Byrdie

What makes the rimmed eyeliner look unique is its highlight of the lower waterline. The dark tracing adds depth and dimension for a bold look. However, the waterline is one of the most sensitive areas of the eyes, so Gatt recommends approaching it gently and using a waterproof liner.

I used the Essence Long Lasting Eye Pencil and delicately blended it out. "Take a clean pencil brush to blend the liner at the outer corner of each eye," Gatt instructs. "On the lazy eye, keep the connection slightly higher and tighter to maintain the appearance of a lift."

I found that starting at the corner and slowly tracing along the line, even if I had to apply two coats, helped create the illusion that my eyes were perfectly symmetrical.

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Clean Your Edges

A person with braided hair and hoop earrings smiling — Náosha Gregg / Byrdie

Once my eyes were fully lined, I needed to clean up the edges gently. Being that my vision was blurry, there were a few missed strokes and smudging around my eye. According to Gatt, using a slight amount of concealer can help. If you opt for a winged liner like me, concealer can act as an eraser to tweak and refine your lines, achieving crisp, clean lines. For precision, apply a tiny amount with a flat brush.