Buzz
A winged eyeliner can look very alluring and sharp when applied correctly, but for those without makeup experience, mastering this skill can be quite challenging. You can practice drawing the eyeliner by hand or use tape to create the perfect line, then refine the shape and wait for it to dry. If desired, you can apply a bit of mascara to complete the eye look.
Steps
Draw the outline by hand
Apply concealer or primer on the eyelids. Before applying eyeliner, use an eyeshadow primer or concealer under your eyes and on your eyelids, then blend evenly. This step will create a smooth, even base for the eyeliner, ensuring it stays in place on the eyelids.
- If using concealer, make sure to choose a formula that is oil-free. Oil can cause the eyeliner to smudge more easily.
Apply a bit of eyeshadow if you like. If you're going to use eyeshadow, it's best to apply it before drawing the eyeliner. If you do it the other way around, the eyeliner might smudge as you try to apply the eyeshadow.
- Unless you're aiming for a dramatic, evening makeup look, you should probably opt for a subtle eyeshadow when paired with winged eyeliner.
Line the upper lash line with eyeliner. Use a pencil to draw a fine line as close to the upper lash line as possible. Try to keep the line very thin. This line will serve as the base for the winged eyeliner.
- Start from the inner corner of the eye and draw outwards, stopping at the end of the lash line.
- At this stage, the line doesn't need to be perfectly neat, but it should be thin. You'll go over it again, so a little unevenness is fine.
- Keep your eyelid as flat as possible while drawing. If needed, tilt your head back and slightly open your eye to draw the line along the lash line.
- Use your non-dominant pinky to gently pull the eyelid taut while drawing.
- Instead of trying to draw a continuous line, make short, small strokes. This might be easier to control.
Decide how long the wing should be. Position the eyeliner pencil at the end of your lower lash line, angling it upward along the diagonal, as if extending the lower lash line.
- The eyeliner will extend outward and diagonally upward.
- For hooded eyes, you may need to angle it more outward to avoid accentuating the hooded lid.
- To determine the proper angle for the wing, imagine a line running from the outer corner of your nostril to the outer edge of your eyebrow.
Draw a thin diagonal line outward to form the wing. This line should align with the imaginary line when you hold the eyeliner pencil against your eyelid. Essentially, the line will extend the upper lash line.
- You'll need a mirror before starting. Rest your elbow and forearm on a stable surface for better control of your hand!
- Start from the end of the previously drawn line along the lash line.
- Draw a diagonal line about 45 degrees outward and upwards, directing the line towards the end of the eyebrow.
- The length of the winged eyeliner is up to you. Keep it short for a natural look, or extend it just beneath the brow bone for a bolder effect, but never all the way to the eyebrow.
Draw a straight line from the start of the wing to the middle of the eyelid. Keep your eyelid as flat and taut as possible while drawing a diagonal line from the beginning of the wing to the upper lash line.
- Close your eye while drawing. You can use your other eye for guidance.
- Place your non-dominant index finger on your brow bone, gently pulling the upper eyelid taut.
- Use your dominant hand to draw the winged eyeliner.
Fill in the area inside the shape you just created. Use an eyeliner pencil to fill in the entire area within the shape you just drew.
- You don’t need to be too precise if you plan to apply liquid eyeliner on top of the pencil line.
- Apply the eyeliner as close to the lash line as possible, ensuring no skin is left exposed. The goal is to seamlessly blend the lashes with the eyeliner line.
Blend the eyeliner along the lash line. To make the winged eyeliner appear naturally thinner as it moves toward the inner corner of your eye, use the eyeliner pencil to create small strokes to smooth out the transition between the wing and the upper lash line.
- The eyeliner should be thinnest at the inner corner of your eye, gradually getting thinner as it moves inward.
Line the eyes following a guide (alternative method)
Place a small piece of tape at the corner of the eye. The tape should start from the corner of the eye and extend towards the end of the eyebrow.
- To make it easier to draw, the tape should align from the outer corner of the eye, ending at the tail of the eyebrow. However, it's best to place the tape only from the corner of the eye to the eyebrow.
- If you prefer a more subtle wing that isn't too high, angle the tape more outward rather than upward.
- Make sure the tape is firmly pressed against the skin to avoid smudging the eyeliner underneath.
- If the tape irritates your skin, you can use a credit card or another small, flat object placed against the skin at a similar angle.
Draw a thin line along the upper lash line. Use a pencil to draw a thin line along the upper lash line. The line should be as thin and close to the lash line as possible. Extend the line until it reaches the edge of the tape.
- Start from the inner corner of the eye and gradually draw towards the outer corner.
- The line doesn’t need to be perfect at this stage since you’ll be going over it again. However, try to avoid making the line too thick to prevent the eyeliner from looking too heavy when finished.
- Keep your eyelid as flat as possible while drawing. If it’s difficult, tilt your head back and slightly open your eyes while drawing.
Outline the eyeliner along the tape edge. Start at the end of your upper lash line and draw a slanted line upwards following the edge of the tape, stopping just below your eyebrow bone.
- If you accidentally draw on the tape, don't worry. As long as the tape is pressed firmly against your skin, the eyeliner won't smudge, especially when using a fine-tipped pencil.
- Be cautious when peeling off the tape once you're done.
Redraw the eyeliner so the outer corner is thicker than the inner corner. Use an eyeliner pencil to redraw the wing and upper lash line.
- Don’t start thickening the wing at the very tip. For a cleaner look, the start of the wing should be thinner.
- The outer wing needs to curve smoothly. Generally, the upper lash line should follow the natural shape of the eye, with the outer corner thicker and gradually tapering as it moves inward.
Complete the look
Step back from the mirror and check your progress. Take a step back, blink a few times, and walk around for a minute before checking your entire face in the mirror. Sometimes, looking at something too long can distort your perception. Only after stepping back and viewing it from a fresh angle will you truly know if your work is successful or not.
- When reviewing the eyeliner, make sure to compare both eyes. The wings on both sides should be relatively even in angle and length.
Go over the pencil eyeliner with liquid eyeliner. Use liquid eyeliner to darken the winged eyeliner. You need to go over the entire line.
- By layering the eyeliner, you’ll be able to better shape the eyes. The winged eyeliner will appear more defined and sharp.
- Rest your elbow on a surface to steady your hand while applying the eyeliner.
- Make sure the eyeliner is applied as close to the lash line as possible to avoid any gaps between the eyelid and the eyeliner.
- Draw the liquid eyeliner with one smooth, continuous stroke.
Erase any uneven or incorrect lines. If your eyeliner is jagged or uneven in places, you can carefully remove it using a slanted or eyeshadow brush dipped in makeup remover.
- If you're in a rush, a cotton swab works well for fixing small mistakes. A pointed cotton swab is easier to use than a rounded one.
- Concealer can also help cover up any errors. Use your finger, a makeup brush, or a cotton swab to gently apply the concealer to any imperfections or messy lines.
Wait 10 to 15 seconds for it to dry. After applying liquid eyeliner, wait a moment before blinking. If you blink too soon, the eyeliner may smudge.
- If you accidentally smudge it a little, simply use a cotton swab dipped in makeup remover to clean it up.
Apply mascara if desired. Once your eyeliner is dry, you can apply mascara. Choose a mascara color that matches your eyeliner and apply it to the lower lashes from the base to the tip.
- If you want to curl your lashes, do it after applying the eyeliner and before mascara.
Tips
- Generally, the best time to apply eyeliner is after eyeshadow and before mascara. If you apply eyeshadow after eyeliner, it can smudge or cover the eyeliner. If you apply mascara before eyeliner, your lashes might get in the way.
- Use a hands-free mirror so both your hands are free to apply winged eyeliner.
- If you'd prefer to skip the pencil eyeliner step, you can go straight to liquid eyeliner with a very fine brush.
- Practice drawing for your friends and family, and you'll learn how to create the perfect wing shape for each person.
- Aim to follow the natural shape of your eyes. Trying to drastically alter the shape will make your eyes appear smaller.
What You Will Need
- Concealer or eyeshadow primer
- Eyeshadow (optional)
- Hands-free mirror
- Fine-tipped eyeliner pencil
- Black liquid eyeliner
- Small eyeshadow brush
- Cotton swabs
- Makeup remover
- Tape
- Mascara (optional)
