Q&A for How to Do Winged Eyeliner

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  • Question
    Should I pull my skin taut while applying eyeliner?
    Alicia D'Angelo
    Makeup Artist & Hair Stylist
    Alicia D'Angelo is a makeup artist based in New York City. She currently works for teams with Dior Makeup, YSL Beauty and Pat McGrath Labs as well as bridal companies Once Upon A Bride and Miss Harlequinn. Her work has been featured in Today.com, New York Live, Forbes.com, VH1, MTV, Vevo, Entertainment Weekly, Refinery 29, and NYXCosmetics.com. She has a Visual Communications degree from FIDM-Los Angeles.
    Makeup Artist & Hair Stylist
    Expert Answer
    No, you shouldn't. If you do this, the shape of the eyeliner will change once you release your skin.
  • Question
    What winged eyeliner shape is the most attractive?
    Alicia D'Angelo
    Makeup Artist & Hair Stylist
    Alicia D'Angelo is a makeup artist based in New York City. She currently works for teams with Dior Makeup, YSL Beauty and Pat McGrath Labs as well as bridal companies Once Upon A Bride and Miss Harlequinn. Her work has been featured in Today.com, New York Live, Forbes.com, VH1, MTV, Vevo, Entertainment Weekly, Refinery 29, and NYXCosmetics.com. She has a Visual Communications degree from FIDM-Los Angeles.
    Makeup Artist & Hair Stylist
    Expert Answer
    That all depends on what look you're going for! I suggest you try sketching out some different wings with an angled brush and a light-toned eyeshadow first. That way, you can see the shape before committing.
  • Question
    What can I do if I am in a hurry and want to put on eyeliner?
    Community Answer
    Eyeliner is not something that should be done in a hurry, since it needs a balanced, precise hand and is easy to mess up if you're not careful. If you're pressed for time, use pencil eyeliner -- that's the easiest to correct mistakes with. Don't try a wing or anything fancy when you're in a hurry; just line your eye, starting from the inner corner and gradually thickening the line as you reach the outer corner.
  • Question
    Can I do winged eyeliner with a pencil only? Will it look odd?
    Community Answer
    You can, but it will look unusual because liquid eyeliner is more defined and sharper. It also gives off the edgy appeal rather than the pencil eyeliner which is soft and has a delicate appearance.
  • Question
    Do I have to do a wing with the eyeliner? And what if I mess up?
    Community Answer
    No, there are many ways to wear eyeliner. Winged eyeliner is just one popular way. If you mess up, you could remove it with some makeup remover and restart, or just draw around your mistake and make a thicker line.
  • Question
    Won't the sticky tape hurt you when you take it off?
    Community Answer
    No, it shouldn't, not as long as it is gently pulled off and is not to close to the actual eye. Magic tape is best, as it's softer.
  • Question
    How do I do it with a pencil?
    Community Answer
    Make sure that the pencil is very sharp. Take the pencil and hold it at an angle and do the wing as you would if it were liquid or gel liner.
  • Question
    What if I don't have tape?
    Community Answer
    You can hold a card or something up to your eye, just be careful and hold it in place. Or follow Method 1 instead.
  • Question
    What do I do if my eye shakes while I'm trying to put it on?
    Community Answer
    You can try applying eyedrops first, this works for some people. It's a natural reaction, though, and you might just have to get used to it and be extra careful.
  • Question
    How do I do both eyes the same shape and angle?
    Community Answer
    They probably won't match perfectly, but you can improve by practicing a lot and taking your time while you draw the lines.
  • Question
    I cant seem to make gel eyeliner have a defined line. Could you please do a tutorial on gel eyeliner for winged eyeliner?
    Community Answer
    You cant really get a sharp wing with gel liner. For a sharp wing, liquid liners are the way to go.
  • Question
    How long should my wing be?
    Community Answer
    It's up to your personal preference, but generally not too long, just a nice flick at the end.
  • Question
    Whenever I do winged liner, it looks good, too dramatic on me. How do I give it a more subtle appearance?
    Community Answer
    Do a wing with black eyeshadow, and it works the same as any other product like a pencil liner. It gives this nice winged look that doesn't look too dramatic.
  • Question
    Am I supposed to do this with pencil first and then with liquid liner?
    Community Answer
    You don't need to, but it helps because pencil is easier to remove. That way, if you make a mistake you can fix it, and applying liquid after makes it bolder and more noticeable. The pencil is basically a guideline for the liquid.
  • Question
    I'm a major makeup novice. What's the best kind of liner to get?
    Community Answer
    You might want to try a liquid eye pen, which is easier to use than standard liquid eyeliner and gives basically the same look. Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner is a great one. There are also more affordable drug store options, like Revlon ColorStay Liquid Eye Pen. But it's worth it to invest in a higher-end one if you're going to use it regularly, because it will last you much longer (in addition to looking better).
  • Question
    What if you don't want it to be to the corner like that?
    Community Answer
    If you're looking to avoid the inner corner of your eye, begin the liner where the iris starts and widen it a bit as you move to the outside of your eye, then go into the wing.
  • Question
    What is the easiest way for me to use liquid eyeliner?
    Community Answer
    Line both of your eyes, then make a outline for your wing on one eye. Try to make a wing just like that one the other eye, then fill. It is the outline plus infilling that makes it easier. Obviously, use a mirror to ensure balance and accuracy.
  • Question
    Can I use mechanical eyeliner?
    Community Answer
    You can, but liquid eyeliner is most commonly used for wings and usually gives the best look.
  • Question
    How do I do this with cream eyeliner?
    Community Answer
    For cream eyeliner, find/buy an angled eyeshadow/eyeliner brush. (It should be thin in the bristles.) They can be found in most drugstore makeup sections. Then, dip the brush into the eyeliner and use the steps above. Work slowly for the best results.
  • Question
    What if I don't have liquid liner and want to use pencil liner?
    Community Answer
    Just darken it, then by continuing to do little strokes over the outline. Be careful or it could smudge though -- that's why it's best to use liquid eyeliner.
  • Question
    What happens if I poke my eye?
    Community Answer
    If you poke your eye with the the eyeliner, just wash it out and take a few seconds to wait for it to clear. It'll sting a little and you'll tear up, so be careful not to mess up the rest of your makeup. Other than that, you'll be fine, there will be minimal damage.
  • Question
    Won't the tape take off my make up?
    Community Answer
    No, not if you remove it carefully.
  • Question
    Can I use gel to finish it off instead of liquid?
    ~Deep in the ocean~
    Community Answer
    It depends. If you have a decent brand, then yes. To make sure your brand is good, see how thick and pigmented it is. The color should be solid and full and it shouldn't be very gloopy or clumpy, but it shouldn't be runny either. Gel takes longer to dry and can run down your face. It is best you stick with liquid, as gel can give a very funny wing, which can change shape or run. It also gives an odd 3D look if you're not careful!
  • Question
    How can I keep the lines straight?
    Community Answer
    You can just use tape like they said, or you can print off some stencils to use.
  • Question
    Can I do winged eyeliner with a sketch eyeliner?
    Community Answer
    Yes, you can! It applies just like a pencil liner, and is dark enough that you don't have to trace over it with gel liner. In my opinion, it's a better option.
  • Question
    Where do I put the tape?
    Community Answer
    Put the tape along your lower lash, if your bottom lashline is continuing. It will look more natural.
  • Question
    What if I do not have any liquid liner, will mascara work as well?
    Community Answer
    No, mascara will not work; it is meant to go on your lashes, not your eyelids.
  • Question
    Does the wing have to match up perfectly with your eyebrow?
    Community Answer
    No, you can match it if you want to but you can also create a wing that best fits you.
  • Question
    Can I do it with a bobby pin?
    Buggylu25
    Top Answerer
    Using the straight edge of a bobby pin can work for creating a flat trace line. Just be sure to apply enough pressure so that eyeliner doesn't seep underneath the pin.
  • Question
    Is this eyeliner too difficult to apply on a child?
    Community Answer
    It shouldn't be too difficult to do on a child. Also, I would recommend telling your child to clench their teeth while their eye is closed; this can stop their eye from twitching.
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