Before I trained to do makeup, my wingtips looked more like raccoon-eyes than cat-eyes. I had no clue what I was doing… who was I kidding?! This is how it would typically go: my left eye comes out perfect, my right eye- WAY too thick, so then thicken the line on my left, now that one is way too thick, try to remove some of it with Qtip, now everything is smudged all over my face, wipe of everything with makeup remover and start over. Who has time for that?!
Today I’m sharing my tried and true method to achieving the perfect cat eye (and keep you from looking like Amy Winehouse).
First, make sure your eyelid is primed with a good eyelid primer. This fills in any creases and creates a nice, smooth surface for your makeup to adhere to and allows it to last throughout the day. There are many eyelid primers to choose from out, but I recommend: Urban Decay Eyeshadow Potion ($20- Ulta).
One of my biggest problems was that I was using a pencil eyeliner! Who knew?! The trick is to use either a liquid liner or a gel liner. My personal favorite is the gel. It comes in a small jar that you can dip a pointed liner brush which allows you to control how much or littler you use.
There are millions of expensive ones out there, but honestly Maybelline makes one that works just as well, if not better, than the other pricier brands. You can get it in different colors such as Black, Brown, Charcoal and Eggplant. I use: Maybelline Eye Studio Lasting Drama Gel Eyeliner in ‘Blackest Black’ ($6.99- Target).
Dip the brush in, remove access on side of jar, then start by making a thin line directly along your lash line. I recommend starting from the inner corner of your eye, working the line to the outside. What type of brush you use is crucial to creating the perfect line. The Maybelline liner comes with a brush, but it’s not as fine pointed as I prefer, so I use: Sigma Eyeliner Brush E05 ($12- Sigma Beauty).
When winging the liner out, start thin and make an angled line aiming towards where your eyebrow ends (but don’t draw all the way up to your brow!) If you start thin, then you can always go back and fill in more. Go from the tip of the wing and draw a line going back towards the middle of your lash line. Fill in the rest with the liner, creating a triangle.
I always add a light colored eye shadow to my lids to make the eyeliner pop even more! I recommend using colors that are nude, cream, or even pale pink. I personally use: MAC Vanilla Eye Shadow ($15- Nordstrom).
If you notice that you made the triangle too think, dip a Qtip into a teeny amount of eye makeup remover to remove the excess. Make sure to not put too much on, because it will smudge all of your beautiful foundation that you have already applied and we don’t want that to happen.. our time is precious, ladies. I use: Neutrogena Oil-Free Eye Makeup Remover ($5.99- Target).
Now step back and admire your beautiful, perfectly winged eyes. Maybe even take a few #selfies.
When going for a wingtip, do you prefer to go more simple… or dramatic?
Stay beautiful,
Laurie
Laurie Berry is a professional makeup artist and stylist. In addition to being the Beauty Correspondent for Flower City Fashionista, she also blogs about all things preppy, fashionable, and fabulous at Upstate Stylista.
