Cat's eyes are a classic and dramatic look that takes practice before you get good at making them. The flick, or wings, is the most difficult but most important part of creating the perfect cat's eye. This article will teach you some techniques and tricks to make those flicks well and, with a little practice, you'll be able to master this look in no time.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Preparing the Eyelids
Step 1. Choose the right eyeliner
While black and liquid eyeliner are great choices for a cat's eye look, they can be a bit tricky to use if you're a beginner. For dense, steady, unbroken lines, try a gel eyeliner until you get used to the technique. You can also use felt-tip eyeliner, which provides fine control and draws out liquid liner like a marker.
- Gel liners are less likely to melt everywhere, so they are ideal for cat eye looks that should be made with clean lines.
- If you find that the gel liner you're using isn't as intensely black as you'd like, or you'd like to start practicing with the liquid type, you can apply the liquid liner over the gel one when you're done drawing your cat's eye.
- If you only have a pencil-type liner, make sure it's really sharp and note that the pencil won't create as fine a line as the liquid or gel type and will likely melt a little. However, if you want a less dramatic cat eye look, a lighter line might do the trick.
Step 2. Pull the hair back away from the face
Applying eyeliner requires steady hands and high concentration, so it's best not to let any hair fall into your eyes and make you wink and ruin your hard work. With bobby pins, tie your hair back and use a bandana to prevent the hair from bothering you.
Step 3. Apply eyeshadow in a color that matches your skin tone or slightly lighter on the lids
This eye makeup powder will smooth out the lids making the eyeliner easier to apply. In addition, the eyeliner is easier to stick so it will last a long time and will not melt or wear off.
- Don't use cream eyeshadow as the eyeliner won't stick and will be easy to remove.
- Apply eyeshadow all over the eyelid to the crease below the brow bone.
- The cat's eye looks already dramatic without the addition of other makeup, so you don't have to apply a lot of eyeshadow either. This look can be overdone if you apply a different colored eyeshadow. You can apply a little shimmery eyeshadow, but if you're after an ultra glam style, feel free to be as creative as you like!
Method 2 of 3: Mastering the Technique
Step 1. Find the right angle for the wing to be made
Hold the brush parallel to the side of your nose and tilt it so that it points to the tip of your eyebrow--this is where the wing should be. It's a good idea to make the wings on both eyes as close as possible because the different lengths, widths and angles will make them awkward.
Another way to create wings is to make them in a line that extends from the lower lash line. Make a flick following the angle of the line and you get a symmetrical wing
Step 2. Don't drag the skin while you draw the wings
While it may seem easier to draw, when you remove the skin and the skin returns to its normal state, the wings you create will look different and may not look good. Instead, try tilting your head back slightly until you can see the lash line. That way, you can see exactly what you're doing and how the wings you've made are so you don't get messy surprises after you draw them.
Step 3. Make dots to indicate the tips of your wings, making sure they are at the same angle and height for both eyes
It's easier to erase the point and move its position than it is to redraw the entire wing. Never finish a cat's eye on one eye and then try to replicate it into the other eye that hasn't been touched as it will be harder to get a similar result. Perform steps one at a time on each eye before moving on to the next step.
Step 4. Draw a line connecting the dot to the outer corner of your eye, then another line connecting the dot to the center of the upper lash line
This is the outline of your wing that you will fill in later, and it will be triangular. You'll have to experiment a bit with the length and angle of the wings to find out what looks like the best fit for you.
- The triangular wings accentuate the already large eyes.
- Thicker wings are synonymous with retro looks and can make your eyes look wider.
- To get a curved wing, connect the dots to the outer corners then draw a curved line from the second line connecting to the center of the eyelid. The curved shape will lengthen your lash line and make your eyes bigger.
- If your eyes are droopy, try making a flick at an angle that's not too curved up and slightly closer to a straight line. This can lengthen the lash line.
- If your eyes are round, try thicker wings and lines.
- For a more dramatic look, make the point slightly higher and extend your wings closer to your eyebrows.
- If you're having trouble connecting the dots with straight lines, try using the edges of a sticky note or business card to guide you.
Step 5. Clear the error with a cotton swab with a sharp tip
These earplugs can help you correct corners and clear lines without making them melt. Try dipping this earplug in a primer or eye cream and use it to gently remove eye makeup. You can use a makeup remover, but this can remove all of your makeup and make you redraw again.
Method 3 of 3: Finishing the Appearance
Step 1. Draw a thin line along the upper lashes, starting from the inner corner of the eye, near the tear ducts
Try as much as possible to do it in a fluid, unbroken motion so that the lines don't look rough and uneven.
- You can leave this line thin or make it thicker, depending on your preference.
- You can try the tightlining technique, which means you apply the liner between your lashes and up to the lash line. But this is difficult to do with a liquid liner and can irritate the eyes.
- Again, try tilting your head back as you apply the liner so you can see the lash line clearly.
Step 2. Thicken the line to make it thicker as it approaches the outer corner of the eye
Try placing your pinky on your cheekbones for a more stable hand, making it easier to draw even, straight lines.
- If you're using a felt-tip liner, hold it in the center so you have more control.
- Make sure the line thickness is the way you want it to be--do whatever feels right to you. Make sure the line connects with the wing.
Step 3. Fill in the wings and finish with mascara
Apply several coats to the upper lashes and one coat to the lower lashes. The appearance of cat eyes looks very beautiful with thick eyelashes that make the eyes stand out even more.
