Black eyeliner is a basic beauty building block, second only to red lipstick – MAYBE – in our make-up rankings. Women since the time of ancient Egypt have relied on it to make our eyes pop— and we’ve all been making mistakes since then, too. It’s easy to go overboard and end up with eyes that are too dramatic, too gothic, too costume-y or – worst of all – too raccoon! Sometimes, though, we’re making mistakes we don’t even realize. That’s why we’re thankful for articles like this one from Health that tell us FIVE mistakes we’ve all probably made at one point or another. Check them out, because you could be using black eyeliner incorrectly if you’re:

1. Using the wrong kind.
   Make sure you’re using a creamy formula that glides on and that you can blend. Try to avoid waterproof, and go for one with a built-in smudger for easier blending.
2. Standing.
   Pretty sure most of us stand where we’re putting on our make-up, but it turns out the best angle is achieved by sitting and looking down into a mirror on a flat surface.
3. Not connecting the dots.
   The best way to get a straight line? Dots. On your upper lash line, make three short strokes, as close to the eyelash line as possible, at each corner and in the middle. Connect them for a perfect line!
4. Putting too much on the bottom.
   No more raccoon eyes! Avoid your waterline, and considering forgoing black liner here entirely. Instead, use some color liner just at the outside corner and blend toward the center of your eye for subtle definition.
5. Forgetting mascara.
   Basically, these two are best friends and should always be together for perfectly defined eyes. Make sure to curl your lashes first!

Luckily, all of these mistakes are easy to fix! Check out Health’s article for even more tips and tricks. Were you making any of these mistakes? How and when did you learn how to do your eye make-up? Do you have any tips of your own to share?