Winged eyeliner has a reputation for being difficult, mostly because people try to draw it in one sweep. Broken into small steps, it becomes a matter of joining a few short lines. Start with a small wing. You can extend it once both sides match.
Choose your tool
| Liner | Why a beginner might choose it |
|---|---|
| Felt-tip liquid pen | Easy to hold, gives a crisp line |
| Gel liner with an angled brush | Good control, time to correct before it sets |
| Pencil | Softest result; good for practice, then go over it with liquid |
| Dark eyeshadow with a damp angled brush | The most forgiving, slightly smoky wing |
Pencil vs Gel vs Liquid Eyeliner: Key Differences explains the differences in detail.
Before you start
- Rest your elbow on a table and your little finger on your cheek to steady your hand.
- Look straight ahead into a mirror placed at eye level or slightly below.
- Keep cotton swabs and a little micellar water or concealer nearby.
- Apply eyeshadow first, if you are wearing any.
Step by step
1. Map the angle
Imagine a line that continues the curve of your lower lash line upwards towards the tail of your eyebrow. With your eye open, mark a small dot or dash where you want the wing to end. Do the same on the other eye, and compare the two dots before you go further.
2. Draw the bottom edge of the wing
Starting from the dot, draw a short line back to the outer corner of your eye.
3. Draw the top edge
From the tip, draw a second line back towards the upper lash line, meeting it about one third of the way in. You now have a small, empty triangle.
4. Fill in the triangle
Color it in with small strokes.
5. Line the lid
Draw along the upper lash line from the inner corner to meet the triangle. Use short dashes and then join them. Keep the line thin at the inner corner and slightly thicker towards the outside.
6. Check both eyes
Look straight ahead and compare. Adjust the thinner or shorter side to match the other, a little at a time.
7. Sharpen the edge
Dip a flat brush or a pointed cotton swab in concealer or micellar water and run it under the wing to make a clean, sharp line.
Tricks that help
- Dots first. Mark three dots, at the tip, the corner and the lash line, and connect them.
- A guide. Hold the edge of a business card or a piece of low-tack tape from the outer corner towards the brow tail and draw along it. Remove tape gently, because the skin is delicate.
- Pencil sketch. Draw the shape in pencil first, then trace it with liquid liner.
- Do not pull the skin tight. The line shifts when the skin relaxes. A gentle lift at the brow is the most you should need.
Adjusting the wing to your eye shape
- Hooded eyes: draw with your eyes open and angle the wing up so that it clears the fold. See Hooded Eye Makeup: Easy Placement and Blending Tips.
- Downturned eyes: start the flick slightly before the outer corner and angle it upwards.
- Round eyes: extend the wing outward to lengthen the eye.
- Close-set eyes: begin the line from the middle of the lid and keep the inner corner bare.
- Monolids: a thicker line shows better. Check it with your eyes open.
Common problems
| Problem | Fix |
|---|---|
| One wing higher than the other | Match the angle of the lower one, or lift it slightly with a cotton swab |
| Wobbly line | Use shorter strokes and steady your hand; thicken slightly to smooth |
| Liner prints on the upper lid | Let it dry fully before looking up; use a waterproof formula |
| Wing too thick | Carve the underside with concealer |
| Smudged by midday | Powder the area first and choose a long-wearing liner |
Comfort and safety
Keep liner on the skin outside the lash line. Do not share liners, sharpen pencils regularly, and stop using a product that irritates your eyes. Take your liner off gently at the end of the day. See How to Remove Eye Makeup Gently.
When you are confident with a wing, try pairing it with Smoky Eye Makeup: A Simple Step-by-Step Tutorial. New to eye makeup altogether? Start with Eye Makeup for Beginners: Easy Steps to Follow.
Related on ArniSun
- Pencil vs Gel vs Liquid Eyeliner: Key Differences
- Hooded Eye Makeup: Easy Placement and Blending Tips
- Eye Makeup for Beginners: Easy Steps to Follow
- How to Remove Eye Makeup Gently
- Smoky Eye Makeup: A Simple Step-by-Step Tutorial
Sources and further reading
Frequently asked questions
What is the easiest eyeliner for a wing?
Many beginners find a felt-tip liquid pen easiest, because it handles like a marker. A dark eyeshadow on a damp angled brush is the most forgiving.
How do I make both wings even?
Mark the end point of each wing first and compare them before drawing anything else. Then build each side in small steps, checking with both eyes open.
Should I do winged liner before or after eyeshadow?
After. Eyeshadow gives the liner a dry surface to grip, and you avoid dusting powder over a finished line.