How to Nail the Dramatic Cat Eyeliner Every Time

Featured Image: @cristinaaaxmua

How do you make the perfect cat eyeliner look for your unique eye shape?

Our no-nonsense guide gives you the best tips and tricks to help you get that sharp, defined, sexy cat-eye liner look as good as any celebrity!

Key Takeaways

Cat-eye style makeup dates back to ancient Egypt, remains a versatile, universal look adaptable to any eye shape and trend, and can be customized from subtle to dramatic.
Achieving the perfect cat-eye requires essential tools like the right type of eyeliner (liquid for precision, pencil for a softer look) and an angled brush, with popular product recommendations like Stila and TOM FORD eyeliners.
Perfect your cat-eye technique with step-by-step guidance and hacks such as using tape or a business card for sharp wings, and enhance longevity with waterproof formulas and setting techniques.

What is the Cat Eyeliner Makeup Look?

Cleopatra’s ancient times first introduced her version of the cat-eye look.

Yes, our fascination with this enigmatic eye makeup started in ancient Egypt around 3100 BC! This trendsetter queen rocked thick, wrap-around liner around her eyes, creating the iconic cat-eye look with “liquid liner”, made by squished black ants. Yumm.

Moving into the 1950s and 1960s, the winged eyeliner look became a global sensation, gracing the eyes of iconic figures such as Audrey Hepburn, Sophia Loren, and Brigitte Bardot. Today, it continues to be a favorite among celebrities and makeup artists, with the likes of Angelina Jolie and Adele effortlessly sporting this classic style.

The variation and versatility of the cat-eye look is what makes it truly beautiful. From the classic winged liner styles to the sultry smoky cat eye, the different variations are endless!

Depending on the angle, length, or width of the wing and tips, you can transform your look from cute and flirty to bold and dramatic. Not to mention, it can be adapted to any eye shape!

Hence, the cat-eye look is not just timeless but universally appealing.

What is the Difference Between Cat Eyeliner and Winged Eyeliner?

The Cat eyeliner does “wing” out of the eyes, but it also wraps around the lower lash line. This is one of the main differences with winged eyeliner as a wing just focusses on the outer “v” line and upper lash, eyeliner line.

You’ll want to draw a connecting eyeliner line either half way or the whole bottom lower lash line, and draw a point in the inner corners. The point is either just at the top or is a joined point from the top and bottom of the inner corner.

This is what makes your eyes look like a “cat”; narrow, elegant, elongated from both sides of the eyes, and more feline.

Essential Tools for Cat Eyeliner

When creating the cat eye shape, you’ll want an arsenal of products and helping tools to make the starting process easier!

Once you feel like you have a frim grasp of the shape and form for your eyes, is when you can start leveling up your skills and get rid of your helping aids.

Top Cat Eye Eyeliner Products

Your cat-eye’s final look will vary depending on what eyeliner type you decide to use.

Liquid eyeliners, for example, are fantastic for sharp, bold, and detailed lines, making them perfect for a precise cat-eye look. But if you prefer a softer, smudged look, a gel pencil eyeliner can do the trick. Remember, the key is to choose the type of eyeliner based on your desired outcome and comfort in application.

Stay away from big felt tip applicators as they tend to dry out easily, create skid marks, and can be hard to dispense a consistent flow of ink. Brush tips that have a bunch of little pointed hairs are the way to go!

When it comes to achieving the perfect cat eye, consider these top types of liquid eyeliners:

Waterproof Liquid Eyeliners: Look for waterproof options with a brush tip for easy application. Some come with stencils for added convenience.
Dual-Tip Liquid Eyeliners: Opt for eyeliners with dual tips, one for thick lines and one for precision, offering versatility in your look.
Long-Wearing Formulas: Choose eyeliners that promise long-lasting wear, smudge-resistance, and water resistance to keep your look intact throughout the day.

For beginners, try gel eyeliners or those that combine pencil and liquid formulas for an easy application.

Angled Brush Options

For creating those precise and clean lines to make the best cat-eye look, an angled brush is your best pick.

Its angular design helps determine the wing’s endpoint, creating a symmetrical and sharp appearance.

When choosing an angled brush for gel, pencil, or powder eyeliner, consider these types:

Thin Angled Brushes: Ideal for precise eyeliner application, allowing for sharp lines and controlled strokes.
Affordable Angled Eyeliner Brushes: Practical and cost-effective, these brushes are great for gel eyeliners and offer functional performance.
High-Quality Angled Brushes: For a long-lasting investment, look for brushes with ultra-fine hairs and ergonomic designs for comfortable use and excellent performance.

Remember, the key to mastering the cat-eye look lies in practice, so don’t be afraid to experiment with different brushes to find your perfect match!

Cat Eye Hacks

While practicing your cat-eye technique, you’re bound to face a few mistakes. But don’t worry! There are several tips of the trade that we want to share with your to help you create that sharp winged edge characteristics of the cat-eye.

One such hack involves using common household items like tape and business cards. For instance, you can:

Stick two small pieces of tape on the sides of your eyelids to create a template for the even angles of the cat wings.

Instead of using super sticky tape directly on the face near the eyes, strip off the stick tape back of the hand a few times until it’s not so sticky to create a border that extends from the outer corner of your eye.
Apply eyeliner against the tape edge.
Remove the tape to unveil a precise wing.

Alternatively, you can use a business card to create the winged edge. Here’s how:

Start by drawing a line across the top lid.
Then, hold and place the card at the desired angle at the end of your lash line and draw upward against the card to connect with the line on the lid.
Finally, build up the wing to your preferred thickness.

Your chin angle while looking in the mirror solves how to apply cat eyeliner evenly! Here is how to do it:

Angle your chin upwards in a slight tilt to stretch the skin on the eyes, without having to close one eye or stretch the eyelid.
Lift up your eyebrows while you do this so that both eyes are open to apply the eyeliner evenly and with the eyelid skin stretched!

Step-by-Step Guide to Achieving Cat Eyeliner

Here is how you get that dramatic, sultry, complemented “meow” eyeliner!

Prepping the Eye Area

Prep and priming your eye area is a must when achieving long lasting, non-transferring, and non-smudging cat eye liner.

Make sure you’re applying an eye primer on the top and bottom of the eyes to absorb oil throughout the day, create a smooth skin surface, make your liner last.
Always set the primer with a skin tone eyeshadow or translucent powder.

If you don’t have an eyelid primer at hand, you can substitute it with a skintone matte concealer. Just make sure to set with a translucent loose setting powder!

Creating the Perfect Cat Eye Lines

While crafting the perfect cat-eye line may appear daunting, a bit of practice will make you a pro in no time! Here’s how to do it:

Start with a thin line from the inner corner of the eye and gradually thicken it as you move towards the outer corner.
With your eyes open and looking straight ahead, extend the line from the outer corner of the eye upwards towards the end of your eyebrow to create the ‘flick’ or ‘wing’.
As soon as you do that one step, stop and do the other eye to make it as even of an angle as possible! What you do to one eye, always do to the other right after.
Fill in the wing then attach it to the lower lash line and blend.
Extend the inner corner line to a small sharp pointed tip. then repeat to the inner corner lower line so it looks like a little “>”.

Always use the SIDE of the applicator, whether it’s a sharpened pencil, liquid liner tip, or eyeliner brush. Using the side on the eyelid will prevent skid marks and uneven lines. The harder you press, the wider the line will be!

And guess what! If you happen to make a mistake, no worries. Simply use a pointed cotton swab lightly dipped in makeup remover to tidy up or use concealer and a brush to perfect your lines!

Finishing Touches

With your cat-eye drawn, the next step is to refine and enhance it. This involves:

Cleaning up any imperfections with a clean Q-Tip or concealer.
Filling in the liner fully for an opaque look.
Set the liner with a matching eyeshadow applied on wet with a setting spray to keep it locked on for hours.
Applying mascara to your lashes, concentrating especially on the outer corners and lower lash line to complement the winged liner and give your eyes a lifted appearance.

Customizing Your Cat Eyeliner

After mastering this classic cat eyeliner technique, try incorporating different color variations, inner corner or outer corner lengths, adjust the thickness and angle of the wings, or wear the reverse cat eye.

Let’s explore how you can customize your classic cat eye to reflect your unique style!

Color Variations

While classic black will always be a favorite, experimenting with different eyeliner shades can add a fun twist to your cat-eye. Some popular choices are:

Warm colors like brown, bronze, and copper.
Vivid and bright colors for a more adventurous look.
Metallic or glittery colored eyeliners for a playful and eye-catching look.

How to Apply the Reverse Cat Eye

To achieve the reverse cat eye look, which is a trendy twist on the classic cat-eye, you’ll need to invert the focus of your eyeliner application. Here’s how to create this edgy, sultry look:

Begin by lining your lower lash line and waterline with a smooth, creamy eyeliner pencil. Start from the outer corner of your eye and draw a line towards the inner corner, keeping it as close to the lash line as possible.
When you reach the inner corner of your eye, extend the line slightly downwards and outwards, creating a small flick that mirrors the traditional cat-eye wing, but on the lower lid.
Next, use a small pencil brush or a cotton swab to smudge the lower eyeliner gently. This adds a smoky effect and softens any harsh lines, which is essential for the reverse cat-eye look.
To balance the lower lash line, apply a thin line of eyeliner on your upper lash line, but keep it subtle. The focus should remain on the dramatic lower lash line. Connect it to the lower eyeliner line.
Finish the look by applying mascara to your lower lashes, enhancing the inverted cat-eye effect. If desired, you can also apply mascara and false lashes to your upper lashes, but the emphasis should be on the bottom lashes to maintain the bottom heavy look of the reverse cat eye.

Summary

Our best advice you can take from all of this is: practice at night when you have no pressure of going out, take on and off your eyeliner as many times as you like, blast some tunes, and have fun!

We can’t wait for you to create the cat eyeliner look of your sultry dreams.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between cat eye and winged eyeliner?

The main difference between cat eye and winged eyeliner is that a cat eye includes filling in the waterline, creating a inner corner pointed tip, or defining the lower lashline. While the winged liner focuses on the upper lashline, outer eye wing tip, and upper lid.

How do you do cat eyeliner?

To achieve a perfect cat eyeliner, use liquid eyeliner on the upper lash line and make an even line. Flick out the outer corners to create lined wings and finish by lining the inner corners to create a pointed tip to make an elongated true cat eye. Liquid eyeliner might take some practice, but it’s great for achieving a precise, ultra-sharp wings!

Does cat eyeliner look good on everyone?

Yes, cat eyeliner suits all eye shapes and can be created with different types of eyeliners for a striking, dramatic, and sultry effect.

Why do people do cat eyeliner?

People do cat eyeliner because it gives their eyes a modern, lifted upgrade and is considered a trendy way to wear winged liner. The cat eye style is editorial and flattering, explaining its appealing feel!

How can I prevent my cat eyeliner from smudging?

To prevent your cat eyeliner from smudging, apply eye primer and set with an eyeshadow or translucent powder. Then use a non-transferring and water-proof eyeliner. To really lock it in, use a pro makeup artist trick: set the liner with a dampened, matching eyeshadow using setting spray and apply the shadow on “wet”.