How to Master the Art of Winged Eyeliner: A Complete Guide for Perfect Flicks Every Time
Winged eyeliner has been a makeup staple for decades, giving eyes a lifted, dramatic, and defined look. Whether you’re aiming for a subtle flick or a bold, graphic statement, mastering the art of winged eyeliner can transform your makeup game. However, achieving the perfect wing can be tricky—even for experienced beauty enthusiasts. From shaky hands to uneven lines, many people struggle with this classic look.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know to master the winged eyeliner technique. With practice, patience, and the right tools, you'll be creating flawless wings in no time!
What is Winged Eyeliner?
Winged eyeliner, also known as cat-eye liner, is a makeup technique that extends the eyeliner outward and upward from the outer corner of the eye to create a “winged” or lifted effect. This makeup style dates back to ancient Egypt and has remained popular through various beauty eras, from the 1960s to today’s modern runway looks.
Winged eyeliner enhances the shape of your eyes, making them appear bigger and more defined. The versatility of this technique allows you to create subtle, natural flicks for everyday wear or dramatic, sharp wings for bold, evening glam.
Essential Tools for Perfect Winged Eyeliner
Before diving into the application process, it’s crucial to have the right tools. Your choice of eyeliner and accessories can make a huge difference in how easy it is to create your winged look.
1. Types of Eyeliner
There are several types of eyeliners to choose from, and each one offers a different look and application experience. Depending on your comfort level, choose the type that works best for you:
- Liquid Eyeliner: Liquid liners, often with felt-tip or brush applicators, are perfect for creating sharp, precise lines. They’re ideal for dramatic, defined wings but can be challenging for beginners.
- Gel Eyeliner: Gel liners come in small pots and are applied with an angled brush. They offer more control than liquid liners and are great for both subtle and bold wings.
- Pencil Eyeliner: Pencil liners are the easiest to use for beginners, providing a softer look. While not as precise as liquid or gel, they’re perfect for creating a smudged, smoky wing.
- Pen-style Eyeliner: These combine the ease of a pencil with the precision of a liquid liner. Pen-style liners often have felt tips that glide smoothly across the eyelid, offering better control.
2. Additional Tools
- Angled Brush: If you're using gel eyeliner, a small, angled brush is essential for precision.
- Cotton Swabs/Q-tips: Great for cleaning up mistakes or sharpening your wing.
- Concealer and Concealer Brush: Concealer can help you clean up your lines and make your winged eyeliner pop.
Step-by-Step Guide to Mastering Winged Eyeliner
Achieving the perfect winged eyeliner look requires practice and precision. Follow these steps to create flawless wings every time.
Step 1: Prep Your Eyes
Start by prepping your eyes with an eyeshadow primer. This step is crucial because it prevents your eyeliner from smudging or fading throughout the day. If you’re wearing eyeshadow, apply it before your eyeliner, ensuring a clean, smooth surface to work with.
Step 2: Create the Outline of Your Wing
To make sure your wings are symmetrical, begin by creating the outline. Here’s a foolproof method:
- Start at the outer corner of your eye: Using your eyeliner, draw a small diagonal line from the outer corner of your eye toward the end of your eyebrow. The length and angle of this line will determine how dramatic your wing will be.
- Draw a connecting line: Next, draw a line from the tip of your wing back toward your upper lash line, creating a triangle shape. This is the basic structure of your wing.
Pro Tip: If you have hooded eyes, keep your eyes open while drawing the wing. This will help you see where your eyeliner will sit when your eyes are open.
Step 3: Fill in the Wing
Once the outline is complete, fill in the wing with your chosen eyeliner. Be sure to fill in any gaps to create a solid, smooth line.
If you’re using liquid eyeliner, let each layer dry before applying another coat to prevent smudging.
Step 4: Line the Rest of Your Eye
After perfecting the wing, it’s time to line the rest of your upper lash line. Start from the inner corner of your eye and draw a thin line, gradually thickening it as you approach the wing. The thickness of the line depends on the intensity of the look you want to achieve. For a more dramatic look, make the line thicker as it meets the wing.
Step 5: Perfect and Clean Up
Don’t worry if your wing isn’t perfect on the first try! Use a cotton swab dipped in makeup remover to clean up any mistakes or sharpen the edges of your wing. You can also use concealer around the edges of your wing to make it more defined and crisp.
Common Winged Eyeliner Mistakes and How to Fix Them
Even seasoned makeup pros can make mistakes when creating winged eyeliner. Here are some common issues and how to fix them:
1. Uneven Wings
One of the most frustrating problems with winged eyeliner is getting both wings to match. If your wings are uneven, don’t panic! Instead, use a cotton swab to carefully adjust the shape of one wing until both sides match.
To avoid this, try the “dot” method. Before drawing your full wing, place small dots along the lash line and outer corner to serve as a guide. Then, connect the dots for symmetrical wings.
2. Thick or Unintentionally Bold Lines
Sometimes your eyeliner can come out thicker than intended. If this happens, use a clean, angled brush dipped in concealer to thin out the line and sharpen the wing.
3. Smudging or Smearing
If you struggle with smudging, it may be because your eyeliner formula is too creamy or your eyelids are oily. Try setting your eyeliner with a black eyeshadow or switching to a waterproof formula for longer wear.
Winged Eyeliner for Different Eye Shapes
The way you apply winged eyeliner can vary depending on your eye shape. Here’s a quick guide to help you customize your wing for your unique eyes.
1. Almond Eyes
Almond-shaped eyes are the ideal canvas for winged eyeliner, as the shape naturally lends itself to a classic cat-eye. You can experiment with different wing sizes and thicknesses to suit your mood.
2. Hooded Eyes
Hooded eyes can make winged eyeliner more challenging, but not impossible! To make your wings visible, keep your eyes open while applying the liner. Draw the wing at a slightly higher angle, and avoid extending it too far past the crease.
3. Round Eyes
If you have round eyes, winged eyeliner can help elongate and balance your eye shape. Start with a thin line in the inner corner of your eye and gradually thicken it as you approach the outer corner, finishing with an upward flick.
4. Monolid Eyes
Monolids, which have less visible crease space, benefit from a thicker, more extended wing. Begin with a thicker line near the lash line and extend the wing out for a sleek, dramatic effect.
5. Downturned Eyes
For downturned eyes, winged eyeliner can help lift and open the eyes. Start your wing at the outer corner, and aim for a sharp, upward flick to create the illusion of a lifted eye shape.
Pro Tips for Perfect Winged Eyeliner
Mastering winged eyeliner takes practice, but these pro tips can help you get there faster:
- Steady your hand: Rest your elbow on a flat surface and use your pinky finger to steady your hand on your cheek.
- Use tape: Place a small piece of tape at the outer corner of your eye, angled toward your brow. This creates a clean, sharp edge for your wing.
- Keep it simple: If you’re a beginner, start with pencil eyeliner to practice the shape before moving to liquid or gel.
- Patience is key: Don’t rush the process. Take your time and build up the shape gradually.
Final Thoughts on Mastering Winged Eyeliner
With a little practice and patience, anyone can master the art of winged eyeliner. Whether you prefer a bold, dramatic wing or a soft, subtle flick, the right tools and techniques will help you achieve your desired look. Keep experimenting, and soon you’ll be creating perfect wings with ease!
Winged eyeliner is an essential makeup skill, and once you’ve mastered it, the possibilities are endless. So grab your eyeliner, get in front of the mirror, and start practicing—you’ll be amazed at what you can achieve!
