How to Wing Eyeliner

Posted on October 14, 2011

  • 1. Start off with a freshly moisturized face and apply liquid or powder foundation of your choice. I don’t wear much foundation myself, but now is the time to do it (if you do).
  • 2. Apply eyeshadow or shadow-cream, I like to use natural tones that blend with my skin color such as various hues of pink. Keep it simple, you want the eyeliner to make the statement before the shadow.
  • 3. Hold the eyeliner like a paintbrush, with your hand positioned near the top and relaxed. I always use liquid liner, as it is more fluid and is longer-lasting but you may also use a pencil or shadow.
  • 4. Start at the middle of the eye. Do this so that you can separate the liner into two processes and not feel so much pressure to create one solid perfect line. Ease into the line gently, and apply more pressure as you draw towards the outer corner of the eye.
  • 5. Extend the line with a thin “tail” past the outer corner of the eye. Be careful not to create the wing before the outer corner of your eye, or it will seem awkward.
  • 6. Fill in the wing with the thickness of your liking. A thinner line will extend your eyes, whereas a thicker wing will open up the eye (or make them seem rounder) two effects, both good but different.
  • 7. Finish the liner by starting near the tear-duct and meeting the original line, keep this line more thin so your eyes appear to tilt upward.
  • Top off the look with the rest of your makeup routine. I usually just apply some mascara, which should be wiggled into the roots to blend into the eyeliner. To fancy up the look, add blush or bronzer and red lipstick!

…And wa-lah! You have some fancy (not to mention vintage-inspired) eyeliner. One thing I’ve learned as well, one eye is always more difficult to apply makeup to. My little trick is to apply liner to the more difficult eye first, so you can more easily match it with the eye you have best control of.

  • OPTIONAL TIP: A great way to soften the edges is to apply a little dark shadow or pencil liner at the lower lash-line, start mid-way of bottom of your eye and sweep all the way into the wing. Smudge with a q-tip or finger as desired.