Last updated: March 2026
What Is Micro-Liner?
Micro-liner is an ultra-thin eyeliner technique or product that creates a barely-there line along the lash line, enhancing definition without visible liner.
Micro-lining is the subtlest form of eyeliner — a line so thin it's almost invisible but makes the lash line look naturally denser and more defined. The technique uses the finest-tipped liquid liner pens or ultra-thin pencils to draw a line that sits right between the lashes, similar to tightlining but on the outer lid. The trend grew from the 'no-makeup makeup' movement and is popular with people who want the definition of eyeliner without the visible line. It's particularly useful for hooded eyes, where a thick liner can disappear into the fold, and for everyday looks where heavy liner would feel overdone.
Tips
- Use a felt-tip liner pen with a 0.01mm or micro tip for the most control.
- Press the pen tip directly between the lashes in tiny dots, then connect them — don't try to draw one continuous line.
- Keep your eye open while applying so you can see how the line reads on your open eye.
See it in action
Tutorials that use or demonstrate this technique: