Beauty tips - how to get perfect winged eye liner

Winged eye liner is one of those classic looks that I think every woman has tried out at least once in their lives. For me, it's become a bit of a signature look - over the past ten years I've rarely been without mine, and while that might be a bit dull for some, I honestly feel naked without it!

Over the years (and many wonky flicks) I've come up with a tried and tested method for getting it right (almost) every time. I've put together a quick guide below with my tips and tricks for all abilities. Don't be scared if it goes wrong the first few times - you can always remove it and start again.

1. Use a liquid or felt pen liner. For me, gels and pencils just don't cut it when it comes to creating a decent flick. Felt pen styles will give you the same look as a liquid liner (it's essentially the same thing), but with more stability during application.

2. Start in the middle of your eye lid and work your way out. Try and get as close to your lash line as you can, and using small strokes, work your way to the outer corner. Don't do the flick just yet! Fill in the inner corner of your eye, trying to make this part of the line slightly thinner than the rest.

3. For a good flick every time, you want to follow the natural angle/line of your lower eye lid. Imagine where this would continue to if it kept going upwards, and this is where you want to be drawing. To help you know where to stop for an even finish, pop a very tiny dot of liner where you want the flick to end on each eye, check that they're even, and then you're ready to draw your flick in. Try to draw the flick itself in one or two strokes to help make sure it looks smooth and even.

4. For a 'fat flick', you need to create a mini triangle in the corner of your eye. Follow point 3 to get the main shape in, and then thicken slightly from where the top lid meets the lower lid. This might take a few goes to get it perfect, but will give that classic retro look that most flicks are aiming for.

5. If you suffer from 'wobbly hand syndrome', you need to give yourself a stable surface to work from. Rest the elbow of your application hand on your knee/leg and gently lay the palm of your hand against your cheek.

6. Don't rush it! If you're not confident with eye liner flicks, then I'd recommend having a few practice sessions during a spare evening/weekend when you can take your time and you don't need to be anywhere. The more you do it, the better you'll get - practice really does make perfect in this instance!

7. A cotton bud and some makeup remover are your best friend. Everyone gets it wrong every now and then, no matter how many flicks they've drawn over the years (I had to re-start my right one this morning due to a hair in my eye, grr.). You only need to get rid of the mistake, not the whole thing, so dip a cotton bud into some makeup remover, get rid of the bad bit, and re-apply.

8. Apply your liner on top of your eye shadow. Not only does this mean you won't disturb the liner or cover it over with powder, the shadow gives the liner a dry base to adhere to, making it apply a lot smoother and last a lot longer.

I hope these tips help - let me know how you get on!

Are you a fan of the winged liner look? What are your top tips for getting it right?


  1. The cateye is my signature look aswell, and just like you I feel naked without that flick! I'd rather go without makeup at all than do my base and mascara and skip the eyeliner to be honest, feels just as naked without it...

    Anyway, my best tip if you're a beginner is to practise at nighttime before you remove your makeup! Take a couple of rounds and apply and reapply! Then you don't have to worry about the rest of your makeup being ruind and the skin in your outer corners of your eye being red and blotchy from to many retakes... :)

    1. Great tip! I know how you feeling about not skipping the flick too! x

  2. Loved your tips!! I don't think I normally start in the middle, I start a little further up where my lashes begin because my eyes are Bambi-sized

    Epiphannie A

  3. Fab tips. I used to be awful at winged eyeliner but with LOTS of practice and panda eyes I can now JUST about get away with it - I think practice is everythng!Xx

    Lucy Cole | A UK Fashion, Style and Beauty Blog

    1. Practice definitely makes perfect when it comes to winged liner! x

  4. Looks amazing! Must try these tips :)

  5. You've nailed it!! I need much more practice!!

    Stacey | Expat Make-Up Addict

  6. Great tips! I used to do winged eyeliner all the time, but then for some reason I didn't do for it ages and it was like I'd forgotten how! Need to start trying it again. I think eye shape makes all the difference too xx

    Ramblings of a Beauty Bird | Beauty Blog

    1. Great point with the eye shape - that definitely makes a difference x

  7. A great post Kat! I've never been very good at applying any sort of liner but I got my hands on Soap & Glory's Supercat liner just over a year ago and it just makes it so easy to do. I'm certainly no expert now but I can manage to do something I'm happy to go out in public with! x

    Becky @ The Little Blog of Beauty

    1. Thanks Becky. I've not tried the Soap & Glory liner before - I will have to give this a try. It sounds like it's made it really easy to get a great flick! x


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