4 eyeliner looks you can do in under 5 minutes (no, seriously)

Date November 3, 2015

Eyeliner was probably the very first makeup item I began to experiment with as a tween, and not always to the best results. I’m sure we all remember the days of over-lining our eyes to excessively goth levels. Nowadays, things are a bit more subtle. A classic cat-eye for day, smoky perfection for night.

These looks are all well and good, but sometimes you want to shake things up—and fast. That’s why I’ve put together four quick and easy liner change-ups you can sneak into your makeup routine, ranging from subtle to graphic. And the best part? You can do them all in five minutes or less.

1/13

eyeliner gif tutorial look1 step1

Look one: The colour-block
This look appears time and time again on the runways because of its simple, statement-making appeal.

Step 1:
Start by dampening an angled liner brush and dipping it into your favourite bold and bright eyeshadow. Sketch the outline of an oversized cat-eye shape.

2/13

eyeliner gif tutorial look1 step2

Step 2:
Continue filling in your outline until you’ve got a solid wing.

3/13

eyeliner gif tutorial look1 step3

Tip:
Keep the rest of your makeup minimal so that the focus stays on your eyes.

4/13

eyeliner gif tutorial look2 step1

Look two: The smoky cat-eye
A clean winged cat-eye is a classic, but smoking it up a bit adds some sex kitten appeal.

Step 1:
Start by applying liquid liner along the lash line in a classic cat-eye wing.

5/13

eyeliner gif tutorial look2 step2

Step 2:
Apply a deep brown shadow along the inner edge of the wing with a small smudge brush.

6/13

eyeliner gif tutorial look2 step3

Step 3:
Use a fluffier blending brush to sweep a medium brown shadow along the darker shadow and smudge out along the crease.

7/13

eyeliner gif tutorial look2 step4

Step 4:
Add plenty of mascara or false lashes for extra drama.

8/13

eyeliner gif tutorial look3 step1

Look three: The layered cat-eye
Make use of any bright liner you may have in your collection and add dimension to an old standby.

Step 1:
Like the smoky cat-eye, start by using liquid liner to sketch a standard cat-eye along the upper lash line.

9/13

eyeliner gif tutorial look3 step2

Step 2:
Take a bright eye pencil or liquid liner (I used Urban Decay’s 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil in “Abyss”) to lightly sketch just above the black liner for a layered effect.

10/13

eyeliner gif tutorial look3 step3

Tip:
Bat your lashes on the regular so people can catch a glimpse of the subtle hit of colour.

11/13

eyeliner gif tutorial look4 step1

Look four: The reverse cat-eye
The most statement-making look of the bunch, this look has a slightly mod feel to it.

Step 1:
Start by lining the upper lash line with black liquid liner, but don’t wing it out at the outer edge.

12/13

eyeliner gif tutorial look4 step2

Step 2:
Connect the liner to the outer edge of the lower lash line and extend it at a slightly downward angle, as if you flipped a typical cat-eye upside down.

13/13