Winged eyeliner is a classic staple from practically any era, and is still all the more enduring now. Although modern TikTok iterations of the trend may include multiple lines or wings, we sought after advice for nailing a clean, timeless and go-to single line that you can refer back to anytime. With that said, we checked in with a professional makeup artist for tips on how master the black liquid eyeliner cat-eye, along with step-by-step instructions. Read on for suggestions and insight on all things winged liner from Eugenia Garnes, professional makeup artist, esthetician and beauty expert.
1. Prep Your Eyelid
The first step before adding any makeup to your eyelid is making sure it is cleaned and primed, Garnes says. "Start with a clean slate. Make sure your eyelids are free of any oil or makeup residue," she explains, "This will help your eyeshadow adhere better and give you a more flawless finish." Next, Garnes advises adding a primer to keep the eyeliner you apply later in place. "Apply a primer, this will help your eyeshadow stay in place and make it easier to achieve a smooth and even application," she says."
2. Add Eyeshadow
While this step is optional, Garnes notes that certain matte eyeshadows can help emphasize your ultimate wing even more, and create a cleaner look. "Choose the right eyeshadow, a matte shadow is ideal for doing a cat-eye, as it will give you a more defined look," she says, "A shimmery shadow can also work, but it may not be as easy to control."
3. Map Out The Wing Shape With An Eyeliner Pencil
Before applying liquid eyeliner to your lid, Garnes advises using an eyeliner pencil beforehand to "map out the shape you want." She recommends "drawing a line from the inner corner of your eye outward." Then, she says to "create a wing by drawing a line from the outer corner of your eye upward."
4. Choose A Creamy, Ample Liner
One of the worst experiences you might have with eyeliner is running out mid-application or realizing that your product isn't thick enough to cover your mapped-out wing. With that said, Garnes recommends really looking into your eyeliner before applying, to make sure it is "creamy enough and easy to apply." Gel liners, she says, are a "great option," as they glide on smoothly and "can be easily blended."
6. Add Mascara
After creating a black cat-eye wing that you feel confident with, Garnes recommends adding mascara to further amp up your look and draw more attention to your eyes. "Add mascara, as this will help to give your eyes a more dramatic look," she says.
5. Fill In Wing Area With Shadow (If Needed)
If you have trouble with the fourth step, Garnes says you can also "fill in the [mapped-out wing] shape with eyeshadow." To do so, she suggests "using an angled brush to apply the shadow along the lines you penciled in." If you want a more intense look, she notes that you can "wet your brush before dipping it into the shadow."
7. Use A Q-Tip To Clean Up Any Errors
Finally, Garnes points out that there's no need to fret if you make an error, if your wing smudges, or if it's just not as sharp if you want it. One tip, she says, can combat all. "Clean up any mistakes by using a cotton swab dipped in makeup remover to fix any errors," she concludes.
