How to do winged eyeliner like a professional
Whether with liquid, gel or pencil, this step-by-step tutorial can guide any makeup user to the perfect winged eyeliner look.
Beauty trends come and go, but a winged eyeliner is classic. The viral “siren eyes” on TikTok are the most updated spin, but older generations might have tried “Cleopatra eyes” in the 1960s. And their parents might have gone after similar looks from Theda Bara or other sirens of the silver screen.
It's a classic for a reason: Winged eyeliner, sometimes called cat eyes, can change the look of the face. "Winged eyeliner is an amazing way to bring more attention to the eyes and create a bold, dramatic makeup look," says Keita Moore, celebrity makeup artist and Maybelline New York ambassador.
Recreating a version at home might seem intimidating, but it doesn't have to be. "Be willing to go through trial and error with different products and processes," says Carol Park, a Los Angeles based makeup artist.
Preparation will depend on eye shape and the desired style. Here are some ideas to get started.
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How to do winged eyeliner
The shape of the eye might be the first thing to consider. "Eyes come in all different shapes. Liner looks can help accentuate that shape and elevate a makeup look," Moore says.
Almond eyes, a wider shape, offer a chance for versatility. "With almond eyes, almost any eyeliner look is a winner. Start with a thin line, then gradually make it thicker, add designs, or opt for a dramatic winged or floating eyeliner look," Moore says.
For hooded eyes, Moore suggests a classic cat eye or winged delineador de ojos look. "The trick for hooded eyes is laying eyeliner on thick - literally!" he says. "A thick line won't get hidden like a thin line will."
And for monolid eyes, the best bet is to “extend, extend, extend,” according to Moore. Go for a super exaggerated winged look, he adds, for intense shape and definition.
The first step before a line is drawn is to choose the product. Selecting the right eyeliner for a winged look can be a little different for everyone. "It comes down to personal preference," says Karen Teomi, manager of education for e.l.f. Cosmetics. "The best formula to start with is a felt tip because it dries quicker and can be easier to work with and build on."
Keep in mind that different products can achieve different results. "Liquid eyeliners are best for creating sharp lines, edges and detail work," Park says. "Gel eyeliners are great for longevity, especially for the waterline." (The waterline is the skin between the lashes and the eye.) She adds, "A pencil eyeliner is great because it can use be used to map out the shape of the eyeliner, and it can be more easily manipulated."
Here’s how to achieve a classic winged liner look with a few short steps:
- Start at the upper lash line. Teomi recommends beginning by applying eyeliner along the lash line first. "It doesn't need to be perfect," she says. "We'll come back to it later."
- Mark where the desired tip of the wing will be. "Start with the outer wing," Park says. "Use a pencil eyeliner to outline the angle, length and thickness of the winged eyeliner desired." Keep the eye open and look straight forward.
- Connect the tip and the corner of the eye in a straight line. "To draw the top of the wing, look down into the mirror and place the tip of the eyeliner at the end of the last line drawn," Teomi says. "Draw a straight line back down to the outer corner of the eye, making a triangle shape."
- Join the tip and the upper lash line. Next, fill in the wing, and perfect the line above the lash line, making sure the wing connects smoothly with the rest of the liner.
- Fill in that wing! “Try to do this with the eyes open, since the shape of the eye changes when closed,” Teomi advises.
- Fix up any mistakes. If there is a mistake, remove the liner with a cotton swab dabbed in moisturizer. (This should work for waterproof eyeliner, too.) To prevent mistakes in the first place, Moore recommends using the tape trick: Apply a piece of household tape right below the desired wing location. Draw on the wing, using the tape as tracking. Remove the tape for a mess-free, sharp winged eyeliner look.
Master the winged look: top eyeliners for flawless application
To help achieve the perfect winged look, check out this video on the best eyeliner products to use. Watch now and discover the tools that will make anyone's eyeliner flawless!
Shop this look with Almay eyeliner, Revlon's She's On Fire double ended liner y cobalt blue liquid eyeliner from Maybelline.
Woman, speaking: Can CVS do graphic liner?
[She pulls three packaged eyeliners out of a CVS bag.]
Woman, speaking: Let's find out. I've been really into fun eyeliner colors lately.
[Cut to: She’s in a CVS store, reaching for the Almay Black Raisin eyeliner pencil.]
[She holds one packaged pencil in each hand and waves it, then holds one up, smiling slightly as she opens it.]
[She holds the pencil to her palm.]
Woman, speaking: And CVS has been my go-to.
[She begins tightlining the outer corner of her right eye and lower lashes.]
Woman, speaking: I’ve been loving this Almay Black Raisin eyeliner pencil because it’s a really creamy product, and it goes on really well.
[Cut to: She tightlines her upper lashes to the inner corner.]
[Tight shot: She draws a winged shape on her right eye. She softens the wing with her finger.]
Woman, speaking: And I love to mix it with the She’s on Fire liquid liner for that added spark.
[Cut to: She smiles slightly and holds up the packaged Revlon She’s on Fire liner, then opens it.]
[She holds it to her palm, then draws a wing on her left eye, followed by her right. She adjusts her hair bun.]
Woman, speaking: And when I need a different color for my eyeliner, I’ll go in with the Maybelline Cobalt Blue liquid liner.
[Cut to: She grabs it in-store, opens it and holds it to her palm.]
Woman, speaking: This pen is great for that extra little pizzazz to match my outfit.
[She shakes the liner, then traces over the wing on her right eye first, then her left eye. She finishes with a framing hand gesture.]
Woman, speaking: Try some fun and funky eyeliners at CVS today!
[Cut to: She shows the Maybelline Cobalt Blue liner, then all three packaged eyeliners.]
Drugstore eyeliner pencils
Eyeliner pencils are great for mapping out the wing, which can then be filled in with liquid to further define and build, advises Teomi. "Pencil can also be good for filling any gaps or to tightline the top lash line," she adds. "However, it's not really going to give definition. It can be difficult to achieve a sharp wing with a pencil."
Park’s go-to is the Milani Supreme Kohl Kajal eyeliner pencil. “The Milani Kajal eyeliner is amazing because of how creamy it is, so there is plenty of time to manipulate the formula before it sets,” she says.
Drugstore liquid eyeliners
When you want to bring on the drama — and sharp lines — liquid liner is the answer. "I prefer a liquid or a felt tip," Teomi says. "My favorite is the e.l.f. Intense H2O Proof eyeliner pen. It glides on beautifully and dries quickly, and it is waterproof, so it will last all day or all night.”
For serious staying power, Moore reaches for the Maybelline Tattoo Studio Ink Pen black liquid eyeliner. "Try using it for bold, precise lines," he says. "This intense liquid eyeliner pen is waterproof and smudge-proof, as well as flake- and fade-resistant. Starting at the inner corner of the eye, glide the precise brush tip along the lash line and drag it across the eye. I also recommend using an all-day liquid eyeliner like Maybelline Eyestudio Master Precise All Day liquid eyeliner. Draw smooth, even lines starting at the inner corner of the upper eyelid, then move the precision felt tip outwards. Easy!"
Drugstore gel eyeliners
Gel liners are a winner for their longevity, and they are great for using on the waterline. "When creating any eyeliner look, I usually begin by applying a waterproof gel liner to line the upper waterline and lash line thoroughly and precisely. This creates a more seamless blend and the illusion of a denser lash line," Park says.
"Then, I use a kohl pencil to map out the shape of the wing liner, starting with the outer wing," Park adds. "A good rule of thumb is to follow the angle of the bottom lash line as the angle of the wing. Once someone is satisfied with the thickness, shape and angle of the winged liner, they can then go in with a liquid eyeliner on top to intensify the look and to lock everything in."
Park’s favorite gel option is the Maybelline Eyestudio Lasting Drama gel eyeliner, which "glides on the delicate eye with ease. And once it is set, it does not budge," she says.
The bottom line on winged eyeliner
And there it is - makeup users no longer need to fear a sharp, winged eye now that they have all these tools at their disposal. Remember: If at first someone doesn't succeed, put some moisturizer on a cotton swab and try again! Confidence and skill will only build over time as makeup users continue to tackle this classic look.
Este contenido es solo para fines informativos y no constituye un asesoramiento médico. Consult your health care provider before taking any vitamins or supplements and prior to beginning or changing any health care practices.
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FOR CLEOPATRA EYES SOURCE: Lodi M. Winged eyeliner throughout history, plus 4 ways to wear the trend. Beautylish. Published August 30, 2014.
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FOR DRAMATIC MAKEUP LOOK SOURCE: Keita Moore, interview, May 2023.
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FOR TRIAL AND ERROR SOURCE: Carol Park, interview, May 2023.
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FOR ALMOND EYES SOURCE: Brown K. Identifying various eye shapes. Vision Center. Updated January 21, 2025.
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FOR PERSONAL PREFERENCE SOURCE: Karen Teomi, interview, May 2023.