Liquid eyeliner adds a bold dimension to your makeup look that no other product can achieve. Whether you're rocking a graphic cat eye or a subtle swish and flick, liquid eyeliner enhances the eyes in all kinds of chic, flattering ways. But learning how to apply liquid eyeliner to achieve that perfect, clean-lined, symmetrical shape requires a surgical level of precision that most of us simply don't have. Or so we thought.

To get down to the nitty-gritty of how to apply liquid eyeliner with confidence and skill, we consulted two of the industry's leading makeup artists -- Make Up For Ever Director of Artistry and Education Lijha Stewart and M.A.C. Senior Artist Keri Blair. We told them all about our smudges, asymmetry and frustration, and they spilled the secrets to how to apply liquid eyeliner. Here, discover the (surprisingly simple) ways to perfect your liquid eyeliner technique once and for all.

Blair's No. 1 rule for how to apply liquid eyeliner like a pro? "Don't rush," she says. One of the biggest mistakes women make when applying liquid eyeliner is trying to blast through it -- like quickly signing a receipt at the grocery store -- instead of taking a solid five minutes to do it the right way, like carefully penning a wedding invitation.

"Our eyelids are not straight," explains Blair. "They're curved; they have asymmetrical qualities. Understanding the canvas of the eyelid and taking the time to work with it is really important." It's what any professional would do.

Do you always use the included brush in an eye shadow palette? We didn't think so. The same goes for liquid eyeliner. One of Blaire's essential words of wisdom for how to apply liquid eyeliner is that you don't have to be held hostage to the included felt tip applicator.

"Some like the felt tip, others do better with a brush," Stewart explains. If you like an angled look, try swapping out the included applicator for an angled brush (try M.A.C. 266 Small Angled Brush, $20); if you're going for a thin, smooth line, opt for a fine brush for more precise, one-stroke application (try M.A.C. 210 Precise Eye Liner Brush, $20). "Experiment to find what applicator works best for you," says Stewart. Though you tend to see makeup artists using brushes on other people, they might go for the felt tip when lining their own eyes. It all depends on what you're used to, how you operate. "Everyone's hand is slightly different," says Stewart.

This is one of the most important things to remember when learning how to apply liquid eyeliner.

"Everyone thinks the cat eye is the best look for their eye, but that's not necessarily true," says Blair. A bold, graphic cat eye works great if you have an almond-shaped eye with a lot of eyelid. But eyes and lids come in different shapes and sizes, and like a certain neckline or skirt length, not all designs look the same on everyone.

"I have a pretty prominent brow bone, so if I were to do a thick cat eye, the liner would be hitting my brow bone and transferring all day long," says Blair. For hooded or monolid eyes, opt instead for a tight line against your top lashes with a thin wing flicked upward at the outer corner. (Find more hooded eye makeup tips here).

Learning how to apply liquid eyeliner so that it looks even on both sides is a unicorn-level fantasy for most of us, but with this doable liquid eyeliner technique, symmetry is finally within reach. First tip? Never draw the wing with your eye closed. "When the eye is closed, you can't see where your skin naturally falls," says Stewart. In other words, you're guaranteed to end up with wonky, lopsided liner.

Instead, apply the wing with your eyes open, looking directly into the mirror. "Your wing should be at about a 45-degree angle, extending from your bottom lash line," says Stewart. "I like to line the handle of a brush up against my face at the angle I want the flick. It can be helpful to have a visual before drawing it on."

Once you have your angle in mind, apply the wing starting at your bottom lash line and drawing up and out. Top off the wing by taking your brush from the center point of your lid outward and filling in the tip as needed. Then use your liner to connect the inner corner of your lid back to that center point.

"Positioning yourself just right in the mirror helps," adds Stewart. "Lean your head back as you look into the mirror -- this gives you full visibility of your eyelid and moves your lashes out of the way."