The Best Eyeliner Looks, According to a Beauty Editor
Spread your wings... literally.
Despite trying out thousands—literally, thousands—of makeup products over the course of my career as a beauty editor, I tend to gravitate towards a few key products. I'm a total lipstick devotee, and I can never pass up that signature thwip of opening a brand new tube of inky-fresh mascara. But if there's one product I would trade for all the others, it's a slick, pigmented liquid liner. While some of my favorite ladies in the industry tend to throw on a red lip for instant confidence, I swoop on an onyx cat eye when I need to feel confident enough to overthrow my enemies Outlander-style...you know, if I had to.
I've had a ton of practice when it comes to making eyeliner look creative and crisp, though, much like most editors at their respective outlets. Makeup artists are constantly giving us in-person tutorials and tips, so we're privy to some cool tricks that everyone can master: how to get the shape right the first time, how to personalize a wing for your face, and even what to pair your liner with to take the look up a notch. So to anyone who's uttered the phrase "I could never rock that," I'm here to tell you that you fucking can. And celebrity makeup artist Katie Jane Hughes, who's glammed up stars like Rosie Huntington-Whiteley and Ashley Graham, can vouch.
"Anyone can wear any kind of eyeliner. It just depends on where it goes on each person’s eye," says Hughes, even when it comes to a more editorial look. Read on for some eye-opening inspo, and a few tips from Hughes herself.
The Femme Fatale
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A photo posted by on on Feb 17, 2020 at 4:38pm PST
To achieve a classic, bold wing, consider your eye shape before starting. "If you’ve got very open lids to draw eyeliner on, you should start drawing on your liner in the inner corner and wing your way out, then thicken it as much as you want," suggests Hughes. "But if you’ve got a hooded eye, you should do the wing part first, and then work yourself into the inner corner. If you start the other way around with hooded lids or folded lids, you can end up with a bigger wing than what you're shooting for."
Heavy Metal
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A photo posted by on on Feb 13, 2020 at 7:21pm PST
Shimmery silver adds instant flair to even the simplest look. Follow the crease from your inside corner, and end with a tiny, fun flourish.
The Zebra
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A photo posted by on on May 4, 2020 at 6:57am PDT
Alternate swipes of black and white liquid liner starting at the inner corners, then polish off your animal kingdom-inspired creations with tiny black tips at the ends.
Red Hot
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A photo posted by on on Apr 3, 2020 at 7:03pm PDT
For maximum impact, pair a wide, scarlet wing with a matching pout.
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Glam and Graphic
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A photo posted by on on Sep 2, 2018 at 1:54pm PDT
Layer bold, ink black liner over '80s-style blush to take your makeup game up an editorial notch.
Floating
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A photo posted by on on Jun 24, 2020 at 2:51am PDT
A pop of pastel strategically placed can up even the simplest makeup look. Try starting from the center of the eye and working your way outwards in both directions just above the crease.
The Quick Flick
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A photo posted by on
Sometimes, less is more, and this easy swipe of tangerine takes approximately two minutes to pull off.
Negative Space
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A photo posted by on on Jul 9, 2020 at 7:44pm PDT
This one is simpler than it looks: draw on the outline of your wings as you typically would, and then...leave it be!
Easy and Elegant
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A photo posted by on on Jul 1, 2020 at 9:20pm PDT
Sometimes, a sharp, subdued wing is just the ticket. Pair it with lengthening mascara and a nude lip for a natural yet elevated look.
The Black Swan
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A photo posted by on on Dec 27, 2019 at 10:32am PST
Bring your inner corners to a point to elongate the eyes and create a seductive gaze.
The Frame
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A photo posted by on on May 23, 2020 at 11:40am PDT
Hey, it's maximalist for sure, but entirely worth the payoff. Keep Q-tips nearby to even out your thick lines as you go.
Big and Bold
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A photo posted by on on Jan 30, 2020 at 1:25am PST
Pair a brightly-hued wing up top with some smokey black liner on the bottom. Work it into your lash line, and then use a Q-tip or liner brush to smudge it out for a diffused look.
Taylore Glynn is a former beauty and wellness editor for Allure. Previously, she served as beauty and health editor at Marie Claire and Harper’s Bazaar, and her work has appeared in Refinery29, Town & Country, Compound Butter, and RealSelf. She holds a master's degree in English and Creative Writing from Monmouth University. If you need her, she’s probably at the movies, braising a chicken, or evening out her cat eyeliner.
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