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Sometimes, nailing theperfect cat eyecan feel like walking a tightrope between two 10-story buildings.
Nicola Dall’Asen/Allure
Below, makeup artists break down their best tips forhow to do a cat eyewith eyeliner.
(It’s also anAllureeditor favoriteand a Readers' ChoiceAward winner.)
He also recommends Maybelline New York’sHyper Easy eyelinerif you’re on a tight budget.
Before doing anything, I draw a small dot about halfway between the outermost corner of my eye and the outermost corner of my eyebrow.
“That way you’ll get the easiest glide versus using a gel pencil.”
You could also opt for a brush and potted gel eyeliner.
Bicoastal makeup artist Lavonne recommendsMorphe’s Jet Gel Liner.
double-check the brush you’re using has a sharp, stiff tip to create thin, straight lines.
Here is her guide to determine your own eye shape.
Monolids:Monolidsare characterized by minimal eye creases or the lack of an eye crease.
Before doing anything, I draw a small dot about halfway between the outermost corner of my eye and the outermost corner of my eyebrow.
Creating the thinnest line possible is best for this shape, Lavonne says.
Then start from the inner corner and draw it to meet the middle point."
Lavonne recommends you should take advantage of your extra lid space.
Because I have hooded eyes, I only draw my cat-eye to the middle of my eye, keeping my eyes open the whole way through.
Hooded eyes:Do your creases seem to magically disappear when you open your eyes?
That means you’ve gothooded eyes.
“Work your way inward, applying your liner in thin strokes.”
If I need to, I use micellar water and a cotton swab to straighten out my lines.
“It will change the shape of your eye,” she explains.
Tommy’s approach takes some of the guesswork out of choosing the right liner shape for your eyes.
“Place a dot right behind that outer eyelash.
This will be the end of the tail,” he explains.
“It should lift the eye shape and, most importantly, widen and elongate.”
A lot of people use their fingers to stretch out their eyelid when applying an eyeliner wing.
It might just be a reflex, but it can singlehandedly ruin a cat eye.
Stretching risks warping the consistency and symmetry of the liner, Tommy says.
That way, your eye is in the most relaxed position," she advises.
To avoid blinking while doing this, Lavonne recommends grabbing a handheld mirror.
“You get a perfect line every time and you won’t blink.”
Even the professionals keep makeup remover on hand to perfect or correct their cat eyes.
“The concealer is like painter’s tape.
It makes crisp edges.”
If I need to, I use micellar water and a cotton swab to straighten out my lines.
you might clean up small imperfections with concealer and micellar water like Lavonne.
Worst-case scenario, you just take another crack.
Either way, you’ll get better the more you practice.
