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How to do winged eyeliner like a professional

Published: September 12, 2023 |7 minute read

Written by: Celia Shatzman

Illustration of a woman applying winged eyeliner to her eyes on a red background.

Whether with liquid, gel or pencil, this step-by-step tutorial can guide you 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.1 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 feel of the face. “Winged eyeliner is an amazing way to bring more attention to your eyes and create a bold, dramatic makeup look,” says Keita Moore,2 celebrity makeup artist and Maybelline New York ambassador.

Recreating your own version at home might seem intimidating - but it doesn't have to be. "You just have to be willing to go through trial and error with different products and processes," says Carol Park,3 a Los Angeles-based makeup artist. Your preparation will depend on your eye shape and the style you want. Here are some ideas to get you started.

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Illustrations showing the different ways to apply eyeliner to almond-shaped eyes, monolid eyes and hooded eyes.

How to do eyeliner wings

The shape of your eye might be the first thing to consider. "Eyes come in all different shapes. Liner looks can help accentuate that shape and elevate your makeup look," Moore says.

Almond eyes, a wider shape, offer a chance for versatility.4 "With almond eyes, almost any eyeliner look is a winner. You can 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. "You want to be able to see your gorgeous creations, and a thick line won't get hidden like a thin line will."

And for monolid eyes, your best bet "is to extend, extend, extend." Go for a super exaggerated winged look, says Moore, for intense shape and definition.

The first step before a line is drawn is to choose your 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.5 “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. A pencil eyeliner is great because you can use it to map out the shape of the eyeliner and it can be more easily manipulated."

Here’s how to nail 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 you want the tip of the wing. "Start with the outer wing," Park says. "Use a pencil eyeliner to outline the angle, length and thickness of the winged eyeliner you want to achieve." Keep your eyes open and look straight forward.

  • Connect the tip and the corner of your 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 you just drew," 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 your eyes open, since the shape of the eye changes when closed,” Teomi says.  

  • Fix up any mistakes. If you make 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 where you want the wing. Draw on the wing, using the tape as tracking. Remove the tape for a mess-free, sharp winged eyeliner look.

Best drugstore eyeliner pencils

Eyeliner pencils are great for mapping out your 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 tight line your top lash line," she adds. "However, it's not really going to give you 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.

Best drugstore liquid eyeliner

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, dries quickly, and it is waterproof so it will last all day or all night. Or the e.l.f. Precision Liquid Eyeliner has a very precise brush tip (hence the name), so it allows you to achieve a perfectly snatched wing.”

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, smudge-proof, 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. We 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!"

Best drugstore gel eyeliner

Gel liners are a winner for their longevity and great for using on the waterline - that skin between the lashes and the eye. "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 your bottom lash line as the angle of your wing. Once you are happy with the thickness, shape, and angle of your winged liner, you 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 because it "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 you have it - you no longer need to fear a sharp, winged eye now that you have all the tools you need at your disposal. Remember: If at first you don't succeed, put some moisturizer on a cotton swab and try again! Your confidence and skill will only build over time as you continue to tackle this classic makeup staple.

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.