Trending Eyeliner Styles: How To Get the Look

If you want to change up your look drastically or subtly enhance your beautiful features, eyeliner is the way to go.

A few tweaks in an eyeliner can create a whole new look. Each stroke can create an illusion that makes significant changes in eye size. With the right eyeliner, you can make your eyes look bigger and sultrier. It can also make them appear smaller and more mysterious.

There’s always something new to try when it comes to eyeliner styles. From beginner-friendly to more advanced looks, you’ll never run out of inspiration.

What are the Latest Eyeliner Styles?

With eyeliner trends, the possibilities are endless. You can create any looks, from simple eyeliner styles to extreme winged eyeliners. Experiment with different techniques and products until you find what works best. Below are some of the latest eyeliner styles to try:

The Cat Eye

A classic style that never goes out of fashion, the cat eye is perfect for any occasion. It’s ideal for every eye shape yet takes a bit of practice to master. But once you’ve got the technique, there are endless ways to customize it. To create the classic cat eye, follow these steps:

1. Start with a small stroke at the inner corner of your eye and gradually make it thicker as you move to the outer corner.
2. Flick the liner up at the end to create a winged shape.
3. Fill in gaps with more liner until you’re happy with the thickness and shape.

The Smudged Eye

Achieve this dramatic style by smudging your eyeliner for a smoky finish. It’s an excellent choice for a night out and is surprisingly easy to achieve. Simply follow the below steps to recreate the look:

1. Start with a thin line of gel or liquid liner along your lash line.
2. Use a smudge brush or your finger to blend the liner outwards.
3. Make the line thicker as you move towards the outer corner of your eye.
4. Finish with mascara for a bolder look.

The Cut Crease

From fashion weeks to Instagram photos, the cut crease has taken over the eyeliner world. If you’re looking for a statement style, this is it. The key to this look is all in the placement of the liner. To recreate the style, here’s a rundown of what you need to do:

1. Apply a light eyeshadow all over your lid. This serves as your base.
2. Next, apply a darker shade to the crease of your eye to create depth.
3. With a fine eyeliner brush, apply liner along your lash line.
4. Flick the liner outwards to create a winged shape.
5. Use the same brush to draw a line from the outer corner of your eye towards the crease.
6. Add some sparkle with glitter or shimmery eyeshadow.

The Under-Eye Line

This style is perfect if you want to make your eyes appear more prominent. It’s also a good eyeliner look for hooded eyes since it opens up the whole eye area. For this look, follow these steps:

1. Start with a small dot of the liner at the inner corner of your eye and gradually make it thicker as you move along the lash line.
2. When you reach the outer corner, flick the liner upwards to create a winged shape.
3. Fill in gaps with more liner until you’re happy with the thickness and shape.
4. Apply mascara to finish the look.

The Graphic Eye

Among the permanent eyeliner styles in fashion magazines, this style is about playing with shapes and colors. You can use any liner to create this look, from liquid to gel to pencil. To achieve the style, here’s what you need to do:

1. Choose a light eyeshadow shade and apply it all over your lid.
2. With a darker shadow, create a winged shape at the outer corner of your eye.
3. Fill in the wing with your chosen liner.
4. Now start to play with different shapes and colors within the wing. You can use a white liner to add highlights or go for a bolder look with a brightly colored liner.
5. Finish with mascara, and you’re good to go!

How Do I Look Good with Eyeliner?

Every fashion blog will swear by a varying technique or style. The truth is, there is no one-size-fits-all solution to looking good with eyeliner. Different types of eyeliner styles work for each individual. But with enough practice, anyone can achieve any look they desire. It’s all about perfecting the application process. Here are some tips on how you can improve your eyeliner game:

Use a light hand

Don’t press too hard on the eyeliner. A light hand will help you create a more precise line. It will also prevent the liner from smudging and transferring to other parts of your face.

Start small

Begin with small strokes and gradually build up the thickness of the line. This method will help you avoid any mistakes. Don’t be afraid to use a cotton bud or makeup remover to clean up any mistakes.

Use a primer

Before applying eyeliner, use an eyeshadow primer. It will help the liner go on smoothly and last longer. Many primers even have a built-in eyeshadow to help you achieve the perfect smoky eye.

Set your liner

Smudging is inevitable, especially if you have oily skin. But you can prevent it by setting your liner with some eyeshadow. After applying the liner, dust some loose powder or eyeshadow over it. Doing so will help the liner stay in place and prevent accidental smudging.

How Do I Know Which Eyeliner Suits Me?

Finding the right eyeliner style starts with finding the right eyeliner for you. And that depends on several factors. The key is to find what works for your specific needs.

Identify the style you want to achieve.

Before trying any new style, ask yourself what look you want. Eyeliners come in different colors, consistency, and application types. Each of these can create a unique final look. Identifying which style you want to achieve is the first step in finding the right eyeliner. Knowing your preferred style will also narrow your search and save you time and money.

Focus on your eye size.

Your eye size will also dictate the kind of eyeliner you should use. Having an accurate idea of your eye size helps you focus on specific traits that need to be emphasized or evened out.

You can get a rough estimate of your eye size by judging them based on your other facial features, such as the nose or forehead.

For smaller eyes, use light shades and only darken the outer corners. It will give the illusion of bigger eyes. If you have larger eyes, you can choose to emphasize the upper or lower lash line. Depending on the style you’re going for, you can also use a thicker line.

Consider your eye color.

Although it’s not always necessary, some people prefer using an eyeliner that compliments their eye color. The right eyeliner shade can make the eyes “pop” and appear brighter. Some basic understanding of color theory can help you achieve this.

For example, people with green eyes can use purple or blue eyeliner to make their eyes stand out. People with brown eyes can use green or bronze eyeliner to create a similar effect. Experimenting with different colors is the best way to find what works for you.

Choose the right consistency and application type.

The next step is to identify the right consistency and application type of eyeliner. This depends on your preferred style and eye size.

For a more dramatic look, go for a liquid liner with a felt tip applicator. It gives you more control when making bold and straight lines. If you want something more subtle, go for a pencil liner. Pencil liners are also ideal for smaller eyes because they’re easier to work with. Gel liners create a more refined look. They have the pigmentation of a liquid liner but are much easier to apply.

Should Eyeliner Be Thick or Thin?

The depth and thickness of eyeliner should be in proportion to the size of your eyes. If you have small eyes, go for a thinner line. If you have larger eyes, you can experiment with a thicker line. The important thing is to find what works for the style you’re going for.

When in doubt, start small and build up the intensity as needed. It’s always easier to add more product than it is to remove it. So, don’t be afraid to go slow at first. You can always add more later on if needed.

Can All Eye Shapes Wear Winged Eyeliner?

All eye shapes can wear winged eyeliner, but some may find it trickier than others. That’s because the perfect winged liner look requires a bit of precision. Determining where crease begins and ends can be challenging, especially if you have hooded eyes. This part makes it tricky to create a clean line. The same goes for monolid eyes. Creating that perfect wing without a defined crease will require more precision.

But nothing is impossible with some practice. Anyone can achieve cool eyeliner looks with patience and the proper technique.

No matter what your skill level, there are different types of eyeliner styles for you. So grab your favorite liner and start experimenting. With enough dedication and practice, your cat eye will be so sharp it can – hypothetically – kill a man.