There is definitely something about the cat eye. Ever enchanting and flirty with that slender shape and outline, there is a reason that cat eyeliner look has been a go-to for women for a very long time now. From Cleopatra BC, to Audrey Hepburn, Brigitte Bardot and Sophia Loren in the 50s and 60s, to Jennifer Lopez and every other woman at the top of her fashion game circa now, a cat eye is a key accessory for evenings when the mood is strong and sassy. Bonus: it also has a natural lifting effect.
However, it isn’t always easy to get right. Everyone’s been there: We mess it up, we try to make it neater, we thicken the line, it looks more uneven, then it smudges, and we're left wondering how it could all go so wrong… Fret not. Follow these steps for an effortless cat eye using our Precision Liquid Eyeliner.
STEP 1: PREP THE EYE
The very first step is to create a good base for the cat eye. Make sure to thoroughly cleanse, tone and moisturise. If you have redness around the eyes, dark circles or puffiness, use an eye serum or an eye cream. But then don’t forget to powder down lightly so that the liquid eyeliner has a solid surface to stick to.
STEP 2: FIND THE RIGHT ANGLE
Follow the natural shape of your eyes to guide you as to where your flick would go. You can use eyeshadow and an angled brush to roughly map out the shape. Your guideline for flick should be an imaginary line from the middle of lower lash line coming outwards of the eye.
STEP 3: START LINING
Start with the inner corner of the upper lash and draw a tiny line on the lash line across the eye. On the outer corner of the eye, turn the tip of the eyeliner outwards and make a flick sliding eyeliner inwards towards the eye. For a thicker effect, it’s the same process, just add another layer and apply them with control to achieve the desired thickness.
STEP 4: CLEAN UP
If the shape is a little wonky, you can always use a cotton swab or concealer to correct it.
TOP TIPS FOR APPLYING CAT EYE MAKEUP:
- Do not pull the skin near you browbone while drawing the flick. You will end up skewing the shape.
- Use a makeup mirror if you can. It will help you in perfecting the details.
- Try and use a vanity table (or, just a table) while applying the eyeliner. This will make it easier to hold your body in a good position. You can rest your elbow, which will give you a steady hand and a smoother outcome.
IMPROVISE:
To switch up the cat-eye, you can always play with the shape, length and thickness. A rounded and thicker look will make your eyes appear bigger. If you’re looking to elongate the shape of your eye, then create a thinner line. You can also play around with the length of the flick. If you want to keep it simple, you can create a tiny flick. When you want to go for the dramatic look, you can make it a little longer. Another thing to consider is the shape. A straight sharp flick will give you an edgy look while a curved flick taps into that elegant 60s glamour.
No cat eye would be complete without lush lashes: finish the look with our Lash Sophisticate Mascara. And voila, go get 'em.
