But if you’re not quite sure how to nail a cat-eye line or how to achieve the perfect winged eye if you have hooded eyes, then you’re going to appreciate this simple crash course, which proves that applying eyeliner doesn’t require a degree in physics or taking a YouTube influencer’s master class. Oh, and if you’re curious—feel free to check out our favorite clean eyeliners of all time. If you’re still mastering the classic line, using a pencil, liquid liner, or gel, start by making small dashes along your lid line as close to the base of your lashes as possible. Then go back and slowly fill in the spaces, being sure to maintain the same width as your initial dashes. However, people with hooded or monolids will have the sharpest learning curve with wings and cat-eyes. The natural shape of your eye can make the flick or wing get lost in the fold of your eyelid. Your natural inclination is to turn your head to the side with your eye closed while facing your mirror to draw the wing. (And for most eye shapes this should work fine.) But people with hooded or monolid eyes should avoid this and instead, face forward. Emily Rudman, former makeup artist and founder of Emilie Heathe, notes that “for hooded eyes, you want to make sure you have the eyes open when doing the eyeliner. You can dot the outline for the line you will create and then fill in the line.” While the upper line of the wing might look “incomplete” with a slight dip when your eyes are closed, it’ll look perfect when your eyes are open as the “dip” is hidden by the hood of your eyelid. For example, you might use a liquid liner to create the upper eyelid, but then use a pencil, shadow, or gel liner to create the under-eye line and cat-eye flick. Once applied, smudge the lower line and the flick, which creates that smoky look. And it’s one of the few times when you should pull on your lid (whether upper or lower) during the application process because you need to expose the little bit of skin between your lashes and your eye. Jessica Richards, founder of Shen Beauty, notes that pencils are perfect for this technique. “When using a pencil, the best method is to trace the pencil through your lashes. This gives a tightline effect and smoldering finish.”
