How To Apply Eyeliner

Winged eyeliner is an incredibly popular eye look that many people think of as difficult to create. The shape of your eye will determine the style of liner so the first and most important step is to understand your eye shape. Once you’ve determined this you can begin to create your dream look.

Our 4-step guide to getting the perfect winged eyeliner

1. Apply eyeliner to your upper lash line 

Start drawing a line as close to your upper lash line as possible from the inner corner of your eye toward the outer corner. If your hand isn’t steady enough for liquid or pen eyeliner, draw first with a pencil liner, and then trace over it with the pen. You can also try lining your eyes with dots first before connecting them with a line.

2. Draw a short line from the outer corner

Sketch out the liner by drawing a short line from the outer corner of the eye, as though following the curve of the lower lash line. This line should almost look like an extension of your lower lash line and it should be heading in the general direction of the end of your eyebrow. Before you start, make sure your elbow or arm is on a stable surface. For the most precise application you can use our Precision Eye Definer. If you don’t feel too comfortable using freehand, then you can use clear tape as a help. Place the edge of the tape in line with your bottom lash line and angle the top toward the end of your eyebrow. Then draw a line above the tape. In the same way you can use a business card or even a spoon! Use the handle of the spoon to draw the angled line and the curve of the spoon to create the shape.

3. Fill in the outline.

Fill in the winged outline until all the skin between the line is covered. Also remember to fill in the eyeliner as close to the eyelashes as possible to avoid gaps of skin peeking through.

4. Smooth out the inner corner

Use short strokes with your eyeliner to smooth out the corner between the end of your wing and the liner on the upper lash line.

 Tips and tricks:

1. You can create your own custom eyeliner using a wet brush and eyeshadow. This technique will give you a liner in whichever colour you want!
2. If you want to achieve a more precise angle, try to draw the flick toward your eye instead of away from it.
3. A dab of concealer can work wonders for fixing smudges.
4. If you want to look original you can use white eyeliner instead of black. This will make your eyes look bigger and brighter! You can create this look using our White is The New Black.

Every makeup skill requires practice, but you can be sure that after following the above rules you will become a master of winged liner in no time at all. Let us know if our advice helps you in any way!