How do I keep my eyeliner from smudging?

Eyeliner smudging is pretty much inevitable. The eyes are naturally moist, and moisture along with laughing, blinking, sneezing and rubbing our eyes (all very human activities) ruins makeup! But I'll give you some tips to help it smudge less:

• Avoid using too much moisturizer around the eye; it will travel and convert liner into mush -- not a bad look in a sultry rock-star way, but probably not the look you're going for. Try an eye gel in lieu of eye cream. Look for one that absorbs quickly and be sure to give it a couple of minutes before applying makeup.
  
  
• Help keep eyeliner in place with this three-layer application technique:

STEP 1 Using a Q-tip, trace a line of neutral-colored matte powder or eye shadow around the circumference of the eye as a base on which you'll place the eyeliner.

STEP 2 Use a pencil liner in your desired shade and dot along the lash line, creating your desired shape.