Tutorial – Cat Eye Liner, Liquid Liner Tips, Neutral Eye
Posted On: 12/23/07
Posted in: Eyes
This tutorial is designed to show you step-by-step how to line your upper lash line and wing out the liner subtly, which is typically called a cat-eye. This is a perfect look to wear for the holidays and New Year’s Eve parties that are happening frequently. It is also a great match when you want to go for retro-matte red lips or even an ultra glossy lip. Bold lips are always amazing when paired with such a neutral, natural eye.
You will need: Liquid black liner of your choice (Prescriptives), wash of a neutral, low-shimmer color of your choice (Ricepaper), semi-matte darker brown for the crease (Soft Brown), and highlight color of your choice (Casablanca).
Brushes: 239, 219, 266/209
Learn how I do my liquid liner…
1. Start with a clean eye-space; if you fill-in your brows, you’re welcome to do them now [or later].
2. Apply your wash of neutral eyeshadow onto your lid using a fluffy eyeshadow brush (like the 239).
3. Pull it outwards to be able to cover your entire lid area.
4. This is what it should look like. The color is only slightly lighter than my natural lid color.
5. Apply your highlight color starting below the inner portion of the brow.
6. Pull the brow outwards along the underside of the brow, following its natural arch.
7. Using the 239, apply your semi-matte deeper brown into the outer crease.
8. Pull your brush outwards towards the outermost portion of the crease.
9. This is how it should look at this point.
10. Go back and gently brush out the crease color to blend it a bit.
11. Now, with your liquid liner, use the applicator it came with if that suits you (this is what I did), and apply a fairly thin line along your upper lashes. If you do not like the applicator that comes with your liquid liner, you may want to try a fine-pointed liner brush like the 209 or an angled brush like the 266. I find that if you tilt your head up and look down at the mirror, your lid will close enough to allow you to get close to your upper lash line while still being able to see. If there’s too much liquid liner on your brush, don’t fret, just wipe a bit of the excess on the back of your hand – remember, less is more. You can always build the liner’s intensity and thickness up, but it’s harder to correct it once it’s already there!
Here are some additional tips for working with liquid liner:
- If you are completely new to liquid lining, don’t bother doing it when you’ve already created a hot eyeshadow look. Work on your liquid lining skills with just a bare eye – when you’ve gotten the hang of it, that’s when you incorporate it into your looks. It is really hard to correct big mistakes (small ones you can usually cover!), so why ruin a look you have already created?
- Try to rest your elbow onto the countertop so it can help steady your hands.
- Keep cotton swabs and eye makeup remover handy. Dip the cotton swab into the remover, and use it to erase any mistakes and make that line look even.
- Sometimes you may feel better lining in sections (think of three sections – inner upper lash line, middle upper lash line, and outer upper lash line), because you can slowly go through the process.
- Cheat your way through liquid liner by applying it first, and then putting eyeshadows on top. When you use black liquid liner, it is often quite apparent despite shadows falling on top of it. This way, you can just go back lightly to intensify the color afterwards, but you will have already gotten your perfect shape.
12. Taking your liquid liner brush and using the bottom lash line as a guide, act as if you are extending your lower lash line upwards towards the end of the brow (like you’re drawing a line towards it) by making a small flick.
13. Where you have made the flick, use your liquid liner applicator to “connect” the flick back to the upper lash line. You almost create a kind of triangle this way.
14. This is how it should look.
15. Using the 219, apply your highlighter color to your inner tearduct. Also, apply black liner to your lower lashes if you wish.
16. Pull the 219 outwards a bit so the highlighter color isn’t so stark.
17. This is how it should look right now.
18. Add your favorite mascara, and voila, you are finished.
Sunday, December 23, 2007
wow another cool tutorial!!! i just bought a brand new eyeliner for christmas i cant resist from tryin it now!! and as i know myself ill do right eye perfect and mess up the left one
Monday, December 24, 2007
Thanks, Camilla! Aww, I’m just like that, it’s hard to get both perfect!
Sunday, December 23, 2007
I love the cat eye look! i always seem to mess up on the ends though…they never match on each eye! you made a little mistake on step 18-you used the bare eye picture instead of the mascara one. just thought id let you know
Monday, December 24, 2007
lol, it’s tough. Lots of practice before it becomes part of the everyday routine! Thanks for letting me know!
Sunday, December 23, 2007
Wow – that looks great on you :) And fabulous lipstick too!
My favorite eyeliner brushes are Smashbox #8 and Stila #4. Before I discovered the wonders of long handled brushes, I used the eyeliner applicators that were attached to the lid of the product and hated them because I would get liquid liner smeared on my lashes – UGH!
Monday, December 24, 2007
Thanks, Tonee! Yeah, sometimes the applicator is awful!
Sunday, December 23, 2007
Love the natural look but could u please give me the name of a substitute in the permanent collection for casablanca. Thank u
Monday, December 24, 2007
Daisychain, which just came out, is very close. Otherwise there really isn’t anything!
Sunday, December 23, 2007
I love this look!
I have a question …since your forhead is a different shade then the inner part of your face…do you still put nc30 fondation all over your entire face?…or you use too different fondation??…or is that bronzer?lol sorry
This guy at the counter match me to nc45 (studio stick– dont ask me why I picked it…it look very easy to bring along)and its wrong…I should of went w/ out bronzer on for one…but I know it doen’t match, because it made me look like a oompa-loompa! I look too orange!!!
I know I have yellow & golden under tone and green veins…so I’m nc…but maybe I’m a 42/43/44 or could be in the “c” section?…I notice alot of people say there nc/45/c6 or something like that.
Monday, December 24, 2007
Hey Lala! My forehead is pretty much the same color as the rest of my face – it just might be the way the flash went off as it took the photo, lol.
You’re definitely a NC tone, and if it’s significant darker than you, I’d try NC40. Next time, ask for a sample of foundation so you can try it on at home first. :)
Sunday, December 23, 2007
Oh I love the cat eye look :) so coveted but never able to perfect myself. I am nearly blind in one eye so its nearly impossible to do the liner on my “good” eye cause I just can’t see anything :( so sad for me!! LOL
Monday, December 24, 2007
Oh, goodness! My mom is practically blind in one eye as well. They need to make stencils for liquid liner ;)
Sunday, December 23, 2007
Looks great!! But–girl don’t your eyes swell when you put eyeliner on your top lid? Be careful, we don’t want anything bad to happen to those gorgeous eyes!
Monday, December 24, 2007
Hey Nicole! Yep, they do. Actually, the last time I put on upper lash liner, I did the tutorial do. I was like, well, we’re trying a new liquid liner, so let’s get the best bang for our buck… a tutorial AND a look :)
Sunday, December 23, 2007
thats very nice! can you tell us which eyeliner you used for lining the inner lids? thanks!
Monday, December 24, 2007
Thanks! Inner lids? I used Graphblack technakohl on lower lashes and Prescriptives liner on the upper ones.
Sunday, December 23, 2007
cute look!
i wanted to know if you have ever done a review for the smashbox halo foundation
I’d love it if you would do one if you haven’t
it’s only available on QVC until the end of 2008
Monday, December 24, 2007
Thanks, Monica! I’ll try if I happen to see it in stores, I don’t shop QVC!
Sunday, December 23, 2007
Thanks for the tutorial Christine! This will make a lovely Christmas FOTD. I would love to try this look, but I cannot find a red lipstick that suits me :( Most reds turn fuschia (even Viva Glam I).
Monday, December 24, 2007
Hey Cristina!
Wow, I can’t believe Viva Glam turns fuchsia on you! Have you tried using a lip base or applying foundation to your lips before lipstick?
Tuesday, December 25, 2007
I tried using concealer/stick foundation on my lips before applying, and it still looked fuschia :( But it looks red on my sister (we have different skin tones). I gave it to my grandmother, so it won’t be wasted.
But I was able to do a different look for Christmas instead :) Maybe I’ll don the red lips for New Year’s Eve ;)
Tuesday, December 25, 2007
How odd! :(
Hopefully one day you can find a red that stays RED on you!
What did you end up doing for Christmas?
Tuesday, December 25, 2007
My skintone is medium golden/very yellow, which probably why Viva Glam I looked fuschia. I did a smokey silver-green look with nude lips instead, then golden brown on another day :)
Wednesday, December 26, 2007
That sounds gorgeous, Cristina :D
Monday, April 21, 2008
Try putting on MAC Lip Erase first, and then applying your red lips, Cristina :)
Sunday, December 23, 2007
I would love to know which shade of lipstick you are wearing! Thanks!
Monday, December 24, 2007
Viva Glam I!
Sunday, December 23, 2007
Are you wearing plushlash mascara or something different?
Monday, December 24, 2007
I think this might have been Zoomlash, I’m not sure. I took the photos for this tutorial months ago so I don’t remember!
Sunday, December 23, 2007
Oh and thanks for the tutorial! They’re always so helpful :D
Monday, December 24, 2007
No problem, Bec!
Tuesday, December 25, 2007
i love this tutorial! i have to try it because i never get my eyeliner straight!! you are great and i love your blog <3<3
Tuesday, December 25, 2007
Thanks Nunu! Good luck :D Liner can be tricky!
Tuesday, December 25, 2007
Fantastic tutorial! I’ve always used black eyeliner successfully, but was afraid to go beyond the lashline. But this…
act as if you are extending your lower lash line upwards by making a small flick.
… has helped a lot. Thanks! :)
Tuesday, December 25, 2007
Thanks, Lina! I’m happy to help out if I can :D
It was a trick I always did, and then when I had a MAC artist tell me it, too, I was like then it must be true! lol
Tuesday, December 25, 2007
Beautiful! I am going to have to try that for New Years Eve! But since I don’t have liquid liner, will it work with my Fluidline and a fine tipped brush? Like a point conceler brush maybe? Thanks!:)
Wednesday, December 26, 2007
Thanks Niqui! Let me know if you do, and how it turns out :)
Yes, it’ll definitely work with fluidline. You can use a brush like the 266.
Friday, December 28, 2007
I use liquid liner everyday and when I use pencil liner on my lower lid to make a more dramatic look, I always get black builduo in the corner of my eye. It also happens if I put the line too close to my tear duct and then the whole thing runs and I look like a raccoon. Is there anyway to prevent this?
Friday, December 28, 2007
Hey Cindy! You could try setting your liner with translucent (invisible set powder works great) powder.
Friday, December 28, 2007
Great job as usual! I always mess up at the wing tip too because I tend to be a bit heavy handed, but this step-by-step really helps me alot. Thanks Christine! You do a beautiful job as always :)
Friday, December 28, 2007
Hey! Thank you so much :) Just remember to go slowly, take your time, and it’s NOT a race – that’s what I always tell myself. If I rush it (since I do not wear it often – I think this was the third time ever), I mess up so badly!
Saturday, December 29, 2007
thanks so much for this. The idea of using the bottom lash as a guide for the flick is a new one for me. Can’t wait to try it! Thanks for all of your hard work putting this out there and being open to comments as well!
Monday, December 31, 2007
It’s something I’ve always done, and when I had a few artists suggest it, too, I knew it must be a good one to share!
Thanks, Stacy!
Saturday, December 29, 2007
HI,
TIP WAS VERY AWESOME!!! CAN U GIVE TIPS FOR BASE AND CAMOUFLAGE.
THANKS
Monday, December 31, 2007
Hi Rachana!
A great base is Urban Decay’s primer potion. I’m not sure what you mean by camouflage!
Saturday, December 29, 2007
your entire site is sooo helpful. you seem like such a sweet person as well- always replying to comments and putting so much effort into helping everyone on here with makeup!
Monday, December 31, 2007
Thanks so much Kirsten! :) I am glad you are liking the site!
Tuesday, January 1, 2008
HiI’m a fan of yours.I just wanna thank u for all the tutorials you did, they’re very helpful. As for this I try to do it but I mess up a little bit,let’s see.These are my attempts,do you have any suggestions?My attempt
Thanks for your attention in reading this :)
Wednesday, January 2, 2008
Hey Claudia! Your picture link worked, but the picture itself is hard to see! From what I can see, I think it looks okay… Practice will make it perfect :) You’ll mess up less once you get used to it!
Wednesday, January 2, 2008
Hi Christine,thanks for you answer,yep unfortunately the picture is hard to see,don’t know why,thanks for your suggestion,I’ll try to get used to it,but it’s difficult to do both eyes in the same way :) ,anyway congratulations again for all you do,and keep it up ;)
Friday, January 4, 2008
It’s my pleasure, hun! Just keep practicing and you’ll have it perfect for sure. Thanks!
Thursday, January 3, 2008
Awesome tutorial! And I love the new layout of the site, looks great :)
Friday, January 4, 2008
Thanks, Lisa!
Friday, January 4, 2008
do you use liquid liner for your bottom water line to?!
Saturday, January 5, 2008
I don’t, personally. Fluidline is often used, though, but I prefer kohl liners! :)
Friday, January 11, 2008
Also, if you don’t wish to put the eyeliner into the inter tear duct (Because that is how an infection is caused in the eye, from makeup getting into the eye. It’s not recommended to do by most doctors.) then you can just put it over your bottom eyelash, as she had said, using the eyelashes as a guide.
This tutorial is well done, I love it. I tried it out and have the perfect cat eye.
Thank you! This tutorial is great. ^_^
Friday, January 11, 2008
Hey Sarah! Thanks for sharing your tip!
I’m glad it helped you out!
Friday, January 11, 2008
Hey! I’m so glad you posted this with a lot of pics and details. I’m so horrible at getting it to look right… and, as many others, my eyes never seem to match up. Hopefully this will help a little bit. Thanks =)
Friday, January 11, 2008
Hey Paula! I really hope it helps you out, even in the tiniest bit :) Just keep practicing and be patient, those are absolutely vital!
Sunday, January 13, 2008
i liked how you showed me step by step
but for me its harder
since im asian, my crease isnt so big
and sometimes when my eye is watery the eyeliner
and liquid eyeliner comes out right away
can you suggest any good liquid eyeliners and regular eyeliner
thats water proof
Monday, January 14, 2008
Hi Janet!
MAC’s Blacktrack fluidline isn’t 100% waterproof, but it’s very much budge-proof. MAC makes liquidlast liners that are waterproof, though, and really those do NOT budge whatsoever! Lancome makes a good waterproof eyeliner as well.
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Hello. :) I’m one of those BellaSugar readers who was led to your site and I’m really enjoying it. You make each look yours, which is impressive! While almost all of your make-up seems flawless, it seems as though your mascara might be letting you down. I’ve spent a while searching for a good mascara and I thought I might suggest a few. I usually aim to define as many lashes as possible without clumping and these seem to do that pretty well:
Clinique – High Impact mascara (traditional liquid and brush)
Estee Lauder – More than Mascara (traditional liquid and brush)
Mirenesse (An Australian brand, but shipping costs aren’t terrible; unique lash-coating tubes from liquid formula)
I know everyone has different tastes in mascara, but I like that we can all share our wealth of experience on your site. Thanks!
Thursday, January 17, 2008
Hi Jackie! Thanks for stopping by! I couldn’t tell you what mascara I used in this, as I’ve been testing different ones. I’ve actually tried both the Clinique and Estee Lauder ones you recommended and neither gave me great results, unfortunately!
Saturday, January 19, 2008
My eyelids are slightly different shapes so its hard to make the “flick” match. But I’m still working on it. I have a question though, I always where very dramatic eye makeup and I wear liquid eyeliner quite often. Is this bad for my eyes? and I also where liquid eyeliner on the bottom. Most people complain that liquid on the bottom bothers their eyes. It doesnt bother mine, but idk if its healthy or not to where it that way. I hope not, liquid eyeliner on the bottom looks SO much better than pencil in my opinion!!
Monday, January 21, 2008
Hey Brandi! It can be hard to make them match no matter what, so no worries, I’m glad you’re working on it. I don’t think liquid liner is bad for your eyes, as it is meant to be used around the eye area – if it wasn’t safe, it wouldn’t be marketed as for the eye area!
Monday, January 21, 2008
Thanks, yea that makes sense, i just thought i should ask. Better safe then sorry!! =DD
Sunday, January 20, 2008
damn you are gorgeous!
Monday, January 21, 2008
Thank you, Chris!
Monday, January 28, 2008
I SOOOO LUV THE CATEYE. WITH EVERY SHADOW COMBO I DO I ALWAYS HAVE TO HAVE MY CATEYE. IT BRINGS OUT MY EYE SHAPE ALOT. SO YA . LUV IT HUN!
Monday, January 28, 2008
Thanks, MAC Girl! :)
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Cool tutorial ! Found you via stumble upon.. I’m going to link you on my blog.
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Thanks Jamiee! I appreciate the linking, too!
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Meooowww!! I’m going to try that sexy cat look tomorrow!
Thanks again for a great tutorial
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Thanks, Fiona! :)
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Well .. I tried out my first cat eye make up this morning and it’s looking purrrrfect!
Thanks from the UK!
Thursday, January 31, 2008
YAY! Congrats :D
Monday, February 4, 2008
I feel like Cleopatra now that I have started to get this look down pat! Thanks again .. Fiona
Friday, February 15, 2008
Christine, I was wondering if you could substitute the liquid liner with a liquid liner pencil?
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Definitely, Sash!
Thursday, March 20, 2008
I loved this tutorial..
I’ve found a new favorite liquid liner and thought i would share.. It’s Covergirl’s Line Exact.. the applicator is really really easy to use.. and i love to add their new Lash Blast mascara.. great look!
Friday, March 21, 2008
Thanks, Rue! Thank you for sharing that product recommendation with us!
Sunday, March 23, 2008
wow, this is so cool my boyfriend tells me even more that i look very nice….it raizd my self-eastem alot, i have to thank you for this. THANKS!!
Sunday, March 23, 2008
That’s so great to hear, Vanessa! I’m so happy for you!
Saturday, April 5, 2008
This look is great on you, but I am much darker than you. A MAC NC50, NC45 on a good day, to be exact, so these colors will look a bit chalky on me. What colors do you suggest I use? This is what I look like: http://www.blogger.com/profile/03950408739988952240
Thanks in advance….:)
Sunday, April 6, 2008
Hi Danyelle!
You could try a color like Grain or Soft Brown for a less chalky look :) You could even do Soft Brown on the lid instead of Ricepaper, and then use something like Espresso in the crease since it’ll suit your skintone better!
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
is the prescriptives eyeliner/waterproof/smudgeproof/sweatproof? may i have the name of the actual liner?
Friday, April 11, 2008
Hey Len, it’s called Lucky Stroke.
Monday, April 14, 2008
Did u use liquid for the lower lining?
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
No, I used fluidliner.
Sunday, April 20, 2008
Oh Temptalia that is so pretty and just what I needed cuz everytime I attempt at this look my eyeshadow is too stark and bright cuz I don’t apply a crease color but soft brown is perfect and now I gotta get it!!
Thnx alot!!
Monday, April 21, 2008
Hey Ayat! Thanks so much :) Soft Brown is a really great crease color!
Sunday, April 20, 2008
I have NEVER come across a better website. The tips are amazing. Girl, you ROCK!
Monday, April 21, 2008
Thank you so much, Angelica! :)
Monday, April 21, 2008
can any1 temme how can we make a lower liner,datz make a tear cum out..i mean it burns out in da eye yaa !! plz help me out i m very crazy for lower eyeliner..
Monday, April 21, 2008
Hi Reshu, I don’t quite understand what you’re asking!
Sunday, April 27, 2008
This was extremely helpful, and just in time for prom!
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Thanks, Deidra!! :) Have fun at prom!
Thursday, May 1, 2008
hey dear, is that a liquid liner that u used on ur waterline ? wont it hurt ? =( i cant find any good liners that will stay on my waterline !
Thursday, May 1, 2008
I used Blacktrack fluidline on my waterline, it is a gel liner!
Friday, May 2, 2008
oh mac’s one huh? does it stay on long ? =)
Friday, May 2, 2008
I find it stays on pretty well for me, Shenay!
Friday, May 2, 2008
hmm cool ! i think i should get it then ^^ thanks alot dear !
Friday, May 2, 2008
My pleasure :)
Monday, May 5, 2008
One word: BEAUTIFUL! =)
Just a quick question – what is the name of the red lipstick you are wearing in the last pic?
Thursday, May 8, 2008
Thanks!
I believe it’s Viva Glam I!
Monday, May 12, 2008
Aww i love how you’re so nice to everybody that posts =) Cool tutorial
Thursday, May 15, 2008
It’s my nature :D Thanks, Jaxxx!
Saturday, May 17, 2008
i totally love this look.i just have a quick question though…do u think someone could wear this look for prom?and what else could u do with ur lips (other than red lipstick)?
Sunday, May 18, 2008
Thanks so much, Medhia! Yes, you could totally rock this for prom. You can wear any lip really, though I’d opt for pinks, corals, reds, berries over nudes. Nudes may wash you out.