By now we know that winged eyeliner isn’t just some beauty fad that has come and will go — it’s a bona fide classic that’s here to stay. Whether you prefer a bold wing in jet-black liner, a softer, more muted slick of brown across the top lid, or colorful and playful purple or green wings, the makeup trick works magic because it opens up the eyes, makes them look wider and more awake, and gives a hint of retro chic in the process. Even though winged eyeliner may be for everyone, not everyone has figured it out just yet. Because, let’s face it: even if you have a steady hand, this is one of the harder makeup looks to get right. One slight move of you palm and your liner can end up way, way up above your eyebrows somewhere.
What you need is a few good tips from beauty experts who have perfected the winged eyeliner look. These are the four life-changing winged eyeliner hacks we’re trying immediately.
Make sure you’re positioning yourself right
Your tools are important when you’re creating any makeup look. And though we often think about the makeup itself or owning a really great set of brushes, don’t neglect the importance of a mirror — and of how you position it to achieve success when you’re doing your eye makeup. “To create the perfect shaped winged eyeliner, you need the right mirror,” says Saffron Hughes, MUA at FalseEyelashes.co.uk. “A handheld mirror is ideal, or a table-top mirror in which you can place yourself above it. You then want to hold it below your eye so that [as] you’re drawing your liner, your lashes are facing downwards. To steady your hand, you should place your elbow on a table whilst tensing your toes.”
Apply your false eyelashes first
It may seem like the opposite of what you should be doing, but Hughes recommends actually applying faux lashes before you start creating a winged eyeliner look. “If you plan on wearing false eyelashes, then this is the perfect eye elongating hack for you,” Hughes says. “Start by drawing a straight line up and out of the edge of the eye. Then apply your false eyelashes and place the end to that line, as opposed to your lash line like you normally wood. This then leaves a perfect triangle of space which you can fill with your eyeliner.”
Use an eyeliner stamp
Look, there’s no shame in saying you’re tried to draw on your own wing, it’s been months or years and you still can’t perfect you, and you could really use a little outside help. That’s where genius eyeliner stamps come in, says Sarah Roberts, beauty expert, makeup artist, and founder of ABeautyEdit.
“When it comes to stamp eyeliner, there are a few things you need to keep in mind,” Roberts says. “First and foremost, this type of eyeliner is designed to give you a more precise application than what can be achieved with a traditional brush eyeliner. That being said, it’s important to make sure that you’re using a light hand when applying the product to your lid. The stamp helps to create a perfect winged shape without the need for any other tools. This makes it quick and easy to apply, and it also gives you more control over the final look, especially for those of us with shaky hands or who have difficulty applying eyeliner evenly.”
A stamp eyeliner seems to work well for most people with the exception being for those with hooded eyes as it won’t adjust to suit this particular eye shape, according to Roberts. She recommends pencil eyeliners for hooded eyes as they can be smudged and blended to create a soft, natural look (cream and gel eyeliners are also good options to consider).
“When it comes to using a stamp eyeliner, try to place your stamp at the outer corner of the eye, angling it as you desire,” Roberts says. “Without applying too much pressure press the stamp onto the skin and carefully life to reveal a flawless wing. Then line the rest of the upper lash with a matching color to complete your desired look.”
Prep your eyelids
You wouldn’t paint a wall without priming it first. The same rules apply to your eyelids when you’re attempting to achieve a makeup look that lasts.
“Before applying winged eyeliner, ensure the surface of your skin is dry; otherwise, the liner will bleed,” says Beauty Expert Katya Bychkova. “To achieve that, you could either blot the area with a tissue and set it with a loose powder or use an eyeshadow primer. My favorite setting powder around the eyes area is Laura Mercier’s Secret Brightening Powder For Under Eyes. It’s more delicate than their cult-favorite loose setting powder and is designed to use around the sensitive around the eye area.”
Another tip that Bychkova recommends is to “draft” your wing with a more forgiving product before you go in and apply heavier eyeliner that’s difficult to correct or remove. “My secret for a perfect winged eyeliner look is Laura Mercier Tightline Cake Eyeliner in Black Ebony,” Bychkova says. “I apply it with a flat-angled brush and finish with liquid eyeliner. It’s easier to correct mistakes with a powder product rather than a waterproof liquid eyeliner.”
The next time your winged eyeliner application frustrates you to no end, stop and remember: there’s a great hack to help.
