The realm of eyeliner is a niche of its own. We had a guide that focused on eye shapes and the foundational eyeliner styles for each eye shape, and this article expands on that by taking a deep dive into some of the most iconic and trendy looks and styles of eyeliners. So go grab your favorite pencil or gel and follow us down this exciting rabbit hole.
Winged: Let’s start with one of the classics, the winged liner. This is one of the best looks for hooded eyes, but it’s also a little trickier to get right than you’d expect. Line up your top lash line carefully, starting at the inner corner of your eye. Finish neatly with no smudges by extending the line a little past the outer corner of your eye. It takes a fair amount of practice to master, but a perfectly drawn wing is unparalleled. Another fun fact is that winged eyeliners are a genre of their own. Aside from the usual sleek winged look, there’s the thick, long, reversed, and double-winged liner. Feel free to experiment and discover which ones you love most.
Simple: This is for those who prefer keeping things minimal and hassle-free. Simple or thin eyeliner is just what it sounds like, a simple, smooth line drawn on your upper lash line from the inner to the outer corner.
Half-Lined: The half-lined liner is also a simple and easy-to-draw style. Draw an eyeliner on the upper lash line starting in the middle. Then, from the outer corner of your eye, make a small wing or a flick. It can also be extended along the lower lash line, up to one-third of the way from the outer corner.
Natural: Natural eyeliner is the one that has existed for many, many generations. Glide the eyeliner pen in tiny, subtle dots on your eyelids for a barely there, natural look. You can also smudge it a little if you’d rather go for the natural, smokey look.
Smudge: The smokey liner is simple and easy to make, and it has a certain mystic appeal. All you have to do is use a pencil eyeliner to make a winged line, then use the pencil brush to blend it out. If you want a more vintage look, use black eyeliner to make a thin outline along the top and bottom lash lines. Use a wet eyeshadow brush and black eyeshadow to give your eyes a vintage smudged look.
Cat Eye: It’s hard to pull off a classic cat eye, but when it’s done right, it’s one of the best styles. Unlike a traditional winged liner, which merely extends the liner in a curved “wing” at the outer corner, this one covers both lash lines and tapers off in a small triangle at the outer corner for added flair. To make a perfect flick, start in the middle of the eyelid and draw a line out to the corner. Then, from there, draw a curved line toward the end of your eyebrow. Make a triangle by connecting it to the middle of your lash line. Fill it up, and make sure the liner is even from the inside corner to the outside. If you want to try something even more dramatic, feel free to experiment with the length and thickness to create a bold look.
Foxy: One of the latest sleek and alluring styles is the foxy eyeliner, where an elongated and slanted look similar to a fox, is given to the eyes. Use the eyeliner to make a thin line that goes from the outer corner of the eye outward. Also, draw a straight line from the inner corner of the eye outward and a small line from the lower inner lash line up for this elegant look.
Swan: Perfect for costume parties and events, the swan eyeliner has a feminine, mystical, and alluring essence to it. To achieve the swan look, experiment with eyeshadow and draw your eyeliner past the inner corner of your eyes.
Thumbprint: The thumbprint liner is easy to create as it doesn’t require the precision of winged liners and allows for imperfections and experimentation. You can wear it in black or a bright color like blue or purple and blot the liner at the outer corner with your finger or a brush, to achieve this look.
Drawn Lashes: Drawn Lashes liner is a retro look that has been brought back into vogue Simply draw your lower lashes in a subtle manner, or make it bolder by drawing both upper and lower lashes with the liner.
Colored: It’s not uncommon to get bored of the same old black eyeliners. A change in the color palette once in a while can be refreshing. You can even play around with multiple colors, as there are no rules; it’s all up to your taste.
Glitter: A go-to for every party and occasion, this glamorous and creative look puts some sparkle on your eyes. Glitter on the eyes enhances the beauty of the eyes and can elevate a makeup look to the next level. You can make it in any style you want; all you need to do is choose your outfit and the glitter eyeliner style that goes with it. You can experiment with a variety of glitter eyeliner styles.
Graphic: Graphic liners let you unleash your inner artist. This one comes with no rules either; pick whatever color, shape, and design you want and let your imagination run free.
That concludes our list; and if you are looking for eyeliners to start with, Herlan’s Color Vibes Gel Liner Series has a catalog of eyeliners that are suited for any of the above-mentioned styles and more. There are still a multitude of different options out there for you to discover and try, or come up with new renditions and variations of the very ones on this list. At the end of the day, there really aren’t any rules.