Winged Eyeliner | The Complete Guide

Winged eyeliner can instantly make the eyes appear wider and more awake. With some practice, patience, and the right techniques, winged liner can become easy, fun makeup artistry. Read on for a comprehensive guide covering how to apply winged eyeliner for beginners to pros!

Table of Contents

Prep the eyelids

Properly preparing eyelids is key to smooth, long-lasting winged eyeliner. Follow these tips:

Apply concealer over the entire eyelid up to the brow bone to neutralize discoloration and provide a smooth base.
Use a skin-toned eyeshadow primer over concealer for even more lasting power.
Be sure eyelids are oil-blotted so liner glides cleanly over lids.
Apply a light dusting of translucent powder to lock in primer and prevent slipping.

With prepped lids, eyeliner will stay put all day without smudging or transferring above creases.

Choose the liner type

Winged liner suits pencil, liquid, felt tip, and gel formulas. Consider:

Pencil: Allows mistakes to be smudged away easily; best for beginners
Liquid: bold, precise lines that dry quickly; can be challenging.
Felt tip: Easy to handle for stamping on wing shapes
Gel: creamy texture perfect for smoky, smudged effects

Map Out the Shape

Envisioning the finished wing shape before applying liner ensures symmetry.

With eyes relaxed and looking straight ahead, dot where the wing tip should point.
Also dot where the liner should start or end against the upper lashline.
Connect dots to the map shape.
Adjust dots if needed to flatter the eye shape.

Prep Application Tools

Having proper tools nearby makes applications much easier.

Small angled brush: for sweeping away mistakes in a precise manner
Cotton swabs: To correct larger areas or soften edges
Compact mirror: Provides a zoomed-in view of the lashline
Eyeliner mixing medium: thins out gel or liquid liner formulas to custom consistency.
Empty container: Thinned-out product can be poured into a spare jar for storage.
Cuticle stick: Allows steadier handling of liquid liner pen

Steady Application Hand

A stable hand is key for smooth, winged eyeliner application. Try these pointers:

Prop elbows on vanity table for leverage
Use a pinky finger to gently hold the eye area still.
Rest wrists together to steady
Take deep breaths to relax facial muscles.

Trace Light Base Lines

Before going bold with dark liner, first lightly sketch shapes:

Use a soft, dull pencil to outline the wing.
Line the upper lashline with slight gaps in lieu of one long swoop.
Focus on shape symmetry and wing angles first.
Once pleased with the layout, trace over with the desired liner for a defined effect.

This allows room for adjustments before committing to a visible darker pigment.

Apply in Direction of Liner Flow

The inclination eyeliner pens are held at affects application:

Felt tip: Held perpendicular to the lid, lightly drag across the skin.
Brush tip: Hold at a slight angle and paint liner on the lashline with brushstrokes.
Fine tip: Keep fully vertical, gently press, and stamp color rather than swiping.

Adjust angles as needed based on the formula and pen shape for optimal product pickup and distribution.

Fill in Wings Before Lashline

An alternate application method is to first stamp on the wing shapes, then connect the inner corners to complete the look.

Dot wing tip, angle bottom, then fill in triangle wing area.
Starting halfway along the lashline, connect to the bottom of the wing.
Trace back to the inner corner to complete the basic shape.
Go over the entire shape again with steady strokes for uniform coverage.

This style may suit those who find starting from the inner corner most challenging.

Accentuate Different Eye Shapes

Winged-shape styling can accentuate various eye shapes for stunning effects.

Almond eyes suit thicker wings with a subtle lift at the outer tip combined with a thin lining along the upper lashline.
Round eyes have a narrower, sharper wing that is angled higher up, elegantly extending them. Along the outer third of the eyes, concentrate color.
Play up your downturned eyes with an equally thick winged liner from the mid-lashline to the outer tips. Extend the wing out slightly higher than the natural downturn.
Hooded lids should angle wings so they seamlessly lift up and outward from the hood crease, fully visible with eyes open.

Add-on Embellishments

Take winged eyes to the next level by incorporating creative touches.

Add graphic lines inward from the lower and upper wing tips meeting in the center lid.
Accent with rhinestones or glitter liner just at wing edges or between lashes.
Swap black for colored liners like ruby red, emerald green, or cobalt blue.
Incorporate smoky shades by softening edges with eyeshadow blending and liner pencils.
Mix textures with part shiny patent leather and part matte color-blocked liner.

The options for unique winged lining are endless!

Fix Common Mistakes

With some handy makeup artist techniques, liner mishaps can become quick fixes.

Use a slanted makeup sponge tip dampened with micellar water to stamp away skipped patches or uneven lines along the lashline or wing.
Soften harsh lines by gently patting over edges with a clean finger.
For wing symmetry issues, carefully wipe away the longer wing with an angled brush, then reapply liner.
Draw over gaps in liner coverage with slick liquid formulas to smooth them out.
If the entire liner needs to be removed, hold the coated cotton pad to the eye for 30 seconds; the liner will slide right off.

Set the liner

To get sharply defined wings that can withstand all manner of activities, be sure to set them properly.

After tracer liner dries, go over with matching waterproof gel formula pressing into lashline.
Lightly dust eyeshadow in a similar shade just over liner while still wet to seal it.
Finish by coating lashes upwards over liner application with a volumizing waterproof mascara formula.
Spritz makeup setting spray across the entire eye area, waving dry between coats.

Voila, the liner is locked in place!

Final Winged Liner Tips

Store liner pens horizontally so ink disperses to the tip.
Always apply liner before eye makeup to avoid smudges.
The tight line along the upper water line makes the liner seamlessly integrated.
Apply liner in good lighting for clear visibility.
YouTube has endless winged liner tutorials and inspiration.
Relax facial muscles while applying for best precision.
Complete the remainder of the makeup look before final liner touch-ups.

With the techniques, tricks, and tips covered here in this winged eyeliner guide, anyone from makeup newbies to experienced artists can craft stunning liner looks to make the eyes pop!

Conclusion

Applying winged eyeliner requires some skill, but by knowing the technique, you can create the perfect winged eyeliner. With the details in this article, winged liner can be mastered by both beginners and experts alike. Lid preparation, formula selection, shaping, application tools and tricks, accentuating eye shapes, correcting blemishes, and applying liner properly—all the key elements for winged eye success are covered in this article. Armed with these tips and tricks, sharply defined liner wings can elevate any makeup look for any occasion.

Read: