Winged eyeliner is one of those looks that seems simple until you're actually holding the liner. The truth is, there's no single "correct" way to apply eyeliner — the best technique depends entirely on your eye shape. Once you know yours, the whole process gets a lot easier.
Here's how to apply eyeliner, including winged styles, matched to the most common eye shapes.
Step One: Identify Your Eye Shape
- Upturned: the outer corners naturally point slightly upward
- Downturned: the outer corners slant downward, so the lower lid can look more prominent than the upper
- Round: more visible white space around the iris, giving a circular appearance
- Almond: tapers inward at both the outer corner and the tear duct
- Hooded: a fold of skin partially covers the crease, which can make liner disappear when eyes are open
- Monolid: minimal or no visible crease, with more lid space to work with
How to Apply Eyeliner by Eye Shape
Upturned eyes: Your natural shape already has lift, so the goal is balance. Apply a thin line along the upper lash line, extending slightly past the outer corner, then flick it gently upward to emphasise the natural tilt rather than fight it.
Downturned eyes: Aim to lift, not follow, the natural downward slant. Draw your line along the upper lash line, then extend the outer corner upward and slightly beyond where your eye naturally ends — this creates the illusion of a lifted outer corner. Don't be afraid to go slightly thicker here; it helps balance the eye.
Round eyes: To create a more elongated, almond-like effect, keep the liner thin through the middle of the lid and gradually thicken it toward the outer corner, extending the wing toward the tail of the brow.
Almond eyes: This shape is the most forgiving for winged liner. Start with a thin line along the lower lash line to the outer corner for lift, then connect back to the upper lash line, stopping before the start of the iris.
Hooded eyes: Keep the wing extending outward in a straight line rather than angling it up into the crease, where it will disappear when your eyes are open. A thinner line close to the lash line generally reads more cleanly than a thick one.
Monolid eyes: A straight cat-eye elongates the shape beautifully. Mark a few guide points along the lash line toward the end of your brow before committing to the full line, and consider tightlining your upper waterline for subtle added definition.
General Application Tips (Any Eye Shape)
- Prep the lid first. A primer or light eyeshadow base helps liner glide smoothly and last longer without smudging.
- Use small, connecting strokes rather than trying to draw one continuous line in a single motion — short strokes are far easier to control and correct.
- Fill the lash line first if you're new to winged liner. A sparse lash line can make eyeliner look like it's floating, so filling gaps between lashes first gives your wing something to connect to.
- Build the wing in stages. Draw a guide point, connect it back to your lash line, and only fill it in once the shape looks right — correcting a thin guide line is much easier than fixing a filled-in mistake.
Choosing the Right Formula
Different liner types suit different skill levels and looks:
- Pencil/pen liners like our High Gloss Eyeliner Makeup Pen offer the most control for beginners and are easiest to build up gradually.
- Multi-shade options like our Four-color Eyeliner let you switch between classic black and softer browns or colours without needing separate products — useful for daytime versus evening looks.
Both are formulated for long wear, so your line holds its shape rather than smudging or fading through the day.
FAQ: Applying Eyeliner
What's the easiest eyeliner shape for beginners?
A soft, classic wing on almond or upturned eyes tends to be the most forgiving starting point, since the natural shape already supports the line.
How do I fix a mistake without redoing the whole eye?
Dip a cotton bud in a little makeup remover and clean up just the edge of the line, then reapply concealer over the area before continuing.
Should both eyes look exactly identical?
Close is enough — most eyes have subtle natural asymmetry, and matching angle and length is more important than a pixel-perfect mirror image.
Pencil or pen liner — which is better for winged looks?
Pen-style liners tend to give crisper, more precise lines for winged shapes, while pencils are easier to smudge for a softer, smokier effect.
Ready to perfect your wing? Browse our eyeliner collection to find your formula.
