Anyone who has ever tried to master the art of the winged eyeliner knows that nothing is trickier in the makeup game. As someone who has always had a very unsteady hand, I was nervous to attempt the trend, despite the fact I love the look. Never one to take failure as an option, I got online in search of all the best tips and tricks to master the look, even with the shakiest of hands. Read on to discover some fantastic hacks that will up your winged eyeliner game like no other.
Not All Eyeliner is Created Equal
Part of creating the perfect winged eyeliner look is using an eyeliner that works well with this technique. In a world full of dozens of eyeliner types, this can seem impossible to find. But in reality, it’s pretty straightforward. Beauty experts recommend that beginners try an eyeliner pen that can be easier to control than a brush. The best eyeliner for beginners is usually one that is easy to control, but also easy to remove and try again, because we all make mistakes, especially when we’re learning new techniques.
There are also some amazing products on the market designed to support and enhance the winged eyeliner trend. Benefit Cosmetics has a gel-based eye pen that is so smooth it glides onto your lids effortlessly. It also has a flat angled tip to make drawing a flare at the end of your eyeliner a breeze. There are also a few eyeliners out there with a tiny wheel at the end of their applicator. This makes it a cinch to draw thin, straight lines in one smooth motion, giving you the sharpest wings.
There are also some products designed specially to relieve any makeup mistakes easily. E.L.F’s Makeup Remover Pen can help you remove any slip-ups you might make without removing your whole face of makeup. Lashfood has a Makeup Eraser that gently removes even the most stubborn waterproof formulas with a fine tip to fix any tiny mistake.
Some bloggers also recommend tossing your liquid eyeliner into the refrigerator for 10-15 minutes. It will temporarily stiffen your applicator for long enough to give you more control over the applicator. And if all else fails, a cotton swab dipped in petroleum jelly or micellar water can forgive a multitude of makeup sins.
Freehand Your Winged Eyeliner
I lead with this most simple technique because with a steady hand and a little practice, it is possible to achieve a sharp winged eye. The secret is to master your method. Rest your elbows on a steady, flat surface to help stabilize you and give you more control over your hands. Take your eyeliner pen and draw an extended line from the outer edge of your eyes, using your eyebrows as a guide for the angle. Then, place the pen at the end of this line and draw another line. This one should flick inward with a small curve. Take this line to the inner corner of your eye, thinning it gradually as you go. Color in the space between the two lines to form your wing. Touch up any spots as needed, and you have successfully achieved a gorgeous winged eyeliner look.
If you didn’t have any luck with the freehand method, do not despair. There are some amazing hacks that use everyday items to help you master this look.
Scotch Tape
If you’re already a believer that clear scotch tape can solve a multitude of problems, then this first hack won’t surprise you at all. Just take a piece of tape about an inch long. Simply stick it along the outer edge of your eye, mimicking the shape and angle you want your wings to be. Trace along this tape with your eyeliner pen, without worry that your line will be ruined. When you’ve finished by extending the line all the way across your upper lid, peel away the tape and be amazing at your sharp wings.
Spoon
Who knew that the shape of a spoon, both its handle and scoop, would be the best stencil to help you apply a perfect winged eyeliner look? Begin by holding the handle of the spoon at the corner of your eye, angling it to match where you’d like your wing to be. Follow the line of the handle with your eyeliner pen to make a straight line. Then, flip the spoon around, using the rounded scoop side to cup your eyelid. That rounded edge creates the perfect curve of your wing. Finish by filling in any empty space between the lines with eyeliner.
Post-it Note
Good for more than just jotting down little notes, and reminders you can use a post-it note to create an eyeliner stencil. Design a stencil that will match the size of your eyes, and the shape you’d like your wing to be. Cut around the pattern drawn, and use it as a stencil for your liner. Bonus if you draw and cut on the sticky part, as it may stick a little to your eye, at least the first time, giving you an extra edge. (No pun intended!)
Credit Card
Here’s one time having a credit card does more than hurt your bank account. Hold the straight edge of the card at the corner of your eye, making a nice angle with your brow line. Then, trace along the straight edge to create your wings, extending the eyeliner to the inner corners of your eyes along the upper lash line. This trick will actually work with nearly anything that has a nice, precise straight edge. Try a business card or an old pair of chopsticks if you’re looking to re-purpose things that you may no longer need.
Conclusion
With these fabulous hacks, you will be rocking the winged eyeliner look no matter where you go. Start your hunt through the house now to find the best products to streamline your eyeliner application process. Help us out in the comments if you have any more tips and tricks to recommend for a stunning wing.