Winged eyeliner is one of my favorite makeup techniques because it makes such a big impact. It’s not always easy to do, though. In fact, sometimes it’s a freaking pain in the butt. Plus, once you screw it up, it’s hard to save the rest of your makeup look.
For those days when I can’t shake the cute, little toddler hanging off my arm, or for the days when, out of pure laziness, I really just can’t get myself to even attempt liquid liner, I use this easy technique to get the same winged liner effect, but with a lot less frustration!
Rather than using a liquid or gel liner, I use an angled brush and a black or super dark brown eyeshadow like Black or Espresso from the Lorac Pro Palette because they’re easy to work with and super goof-proof.
By the way, I think the best brush of all time to use for this lazy girl’s winged liner is the MAC 266, if you happen to have one. It pretty much does the work for you.
Dip your angled brush in your shadow, then tap the brush against the side of your table to remove any excess. If you don’t do this, you’ll get all of that lovely fallout on your cheeks instead.
Next, using a pressing motion, press the shadow into your lash line. I like pressing the color instead of sweeping it because I think I get a much better, more intense color payoff.
Now, angling your brush upward, make a line as if you were continuing your lower lash line. If you follow that imaginary line, you’ll get the most flattering shape for your eye.
And I use a little flicking motion at the end of the line to make sure I get a diffused tip.
The next step is a little harder to explain, so here’s a quick video to show what I’m doing. Basically, I’m flipping my brush the other way round, and flicking it to fill in the shape of the line I want. Again, by using that flicking motion, you get a pretty diffused look, rather than a harsh line. It’s has a pretty, soft look to it.
Literally, that’s it! You’re done! 🙂 How easy was that?
I will say, though, that having the right brush makes this a thousand times easier if you’re having a hard time with it. I promise.
This is usually the liner style that I like to use on brides who request winged eyeliner. I think it looks a lot softer and prettier and isn’t as harsh as liquid liner can look.
Sometimes I’ll use a dark brown or even a plummy color, and and if I want to soften the line even more, I’ll take a blending brush and run over it a little bit.
I hope this makes your life just a little bit easier, and if you want, I also did a post on my blog called 4 steps to perfect winged eyeliner using liquid liner.
That’s also my go-to technique for a soft cat-eye look! In fact I did just that yesterday for a date night. I do line the first few millimiters of my lower lash line when I do that, otherwise I get a weird blank space right at the outer corner of my eye.
I love lining a little part of my lower lash line and connecting them up too! It looks super pretty! 🙂
Love this look! I usually use liquid liner (Lancôme Artliner or Clinique Pretty Easy Liquid Eyelining Pen), but I’ll have to try this for a different look!
I’m usually all about the liquid liner too, but this is such a fun and pretty change every now and then!
I totally agree, the right brush makes ALL the difference! This is by far my favorite technique for applying eyeliner, it’s so easy with a good dark eyeshadow!
So true! 🙂
I love my winged liner, but I rarely use powder. It is the technique I have the least practice in. Sounds easy enough though.
It’s super easy once you get it down how you like it!
I love using shadow as a liner, so easy to just blend it away if it goes wrong.
I love how easy it is to fix!
I have expresso in my lorac pocket pro ..Will try this for sure ..thanks!
Let me know how it goes! 🙂
I do this for brides, too! Often at a trial they will be adamant about a liquid/gel liner, but usually after trying this they go for it. It is really soft and pretty with some neutral shadow!
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Same! They always end up liking this way better 🙂 If they want it a little darker though I will add some black gel liner along the lash line and that normally does the trick to sell it. I didn’t know you were a makeup artist! How cool!
Haha shhhh! Don’t tell anyone! 😉 I’m only self taught – do a lot of friends weddings and the like! Not full time! X
Yup, nailed it! And I also like that the powder makes it all look a bit softer.
Thanks girl!
WHY have I never thought of this? It looks so beautiful, is so simple and I really needed to find a softer look for my wings 🙂
Thank you!
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I’m so glad you like it! Hopefully it works out well for you 🙂
BAM! You just solved a makeup mystery for me with your video. It honestly never occured to me to flip the brush the other way to fill in that line. I can’t wait to do this tomorrow. Thank you!!!
I’m so glad it helped! It’s so hard to explain in words so I hoped the video might be a little easier to follow. 🙂
I am always enamored with your liner, Jen. Aspirations 😉
Mine never turns out right when I use a powder (but maybe that’s the brush?!) but I’ll persevere until I finally get it.
Haha you’re so sweet Angela, thank you! Ya if you can’t seem to quite get it, switching up your brush may do the trick. You can do it! I believe in you! 🙂
I do this even with colored shadows too. You can also use the same technique over liquid or pencil to set and diffuse the look a little. I do that too. It’s a great way to soften the look up for conservative work places or bridal looks as you mentioned. It’s also great for brown and grey shades to give definition without the occasional harshness a true black can give! My favorite shades to use with this was actually a Lorac shade from a long time ago, a blackened indigo. They have great matte shades that aren’t flat and the formula really lends itself to this application.
You’re so right, I always set my liner like this and sometimes blend it out so its pretty and diffused. 🙂 Ooh and indigo color would be amazing!
This is so wearable.
And easier to achieve than liquid liner which always looks so dramatic.
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It really is so easy to do and to wear 🙂
Yes to easy wings! Thanks for the tip.
No problem! 🙂
I tried this out and a new way for me to do an eyeliner. Any tips for us oily lids to keep it from running? Lids are great till 2 and then for some reason I get oily then
If you don’t already I would use a great primer, that saves the day for me every time. My number one recommendation would be Urban Decay primer potion, Too Faced shadow insurance is great as well. I also will be trying the Nars one soon, I hear that one is hardcore amazing for oily lids. Hope that helps! 🙂
It looks beautiful on you, but my hooded eyelids won’t allow me to wear winged liner. Curses. ?
I totally know what you mean, hooded eyes can be a little tricky to work with. Maybe I will have to do a tutorial on how to get a winged liner effect on hooded eyes!
That would be great! I’d love to see your tips, Jen. I’ll look out for it.