The best way to give your eyes more definition is by applying a trendy eyeliner style. Wearing eyeliner gives the illusion that your eyes are bigger and can make your eyes pop with or without applying eyeshadow.
Eyeliners can boost your makeup style giving you more of a dramatic look, even if you are wearing the simplest of makeup.
When it comes to your makeup routine, there are certain tricks that can be done to give your facial feature more definition.
The most important trick is to know which eyeliner style suits your own unique facial features and not a style that follows the crowd.
We’ve compiled a list of the best eyeliner styles trending now that will inspire you to get creative with your daily makeup routine.
Different Eyeliner Styles
Before you decide which eyeliner style suits you the best, it’s very important to choose a safe eyeliner in order to not only look great but feel comfortable.
It’s important to first determine the right eye makeup for you before you apply it in case you have any sensitivities to the product. Make sure to research the safest eyeliners for sensitive eyes before you make your purchase.
Once you’ve chosen the safest eyeliner, it’s time to pick the right style. Check out our favorite eyeliner styles trending right now that we promise will make heads turn!
1. Neatly Drawn Cat Eyes
To wear this style, simply draw a thin line on the upper eyelid as well as the lower part. Add a wing to the outer part of your eye to form this neatly drawn cat-eyed eyeliner style.
2. Natural Eyeliner Styles
A natural eyeliner style is not the same as a makeup-free look. A natural eyeliner style mainly uses neutral eyeshadow colors along with a black or brown eyeliner to create a natural-looking effect.
3. Long-Winged Eyeliner
To create a long-winged eyeliner style, position your eyeliner at the inner corner of your eye. Gradually pull the liner toward the outer part of your eye and flick the eyeliner upwards close to the end of your eyebrow.
4. Vintage-Winged Eyeliners
Create a vintage-winged eyeliner technique for the most retro-looking styles by drawing the wing at a low angle and highlighting it with some eyeshadow.
5. Swan Eyeliner Styles
This eyeliner style is a perfect look for costume parties. Play around with some eye-shadow and draw your eyeliner past the inner corner of your eyes for a “Black Swan” look.
6. Eyeliner Styles with Patterns
If you’re already a makeup expert then you can probably get creative by making your own style of eyeliner designs. If you’re not an avid makeup artist, you can still create this incredible eyeliner idea by using a stencil to trace your favorite designs.
7. Glittery Eyeliner Styles
Incorporate some glitter to your eyeliner by either using a glitter eyeliner pen or applying a glittery eyeshadow over the eyeliner. Apply the glittery eyeshadow immediately after applying the eyeliner while it’s still wet so that the glitter sticks.
8. Peacock Eyeliner Styles
Try this elaborate, feathered peacock eyeliner style by applying blue eyeliner to the upper and lower lids. Then, draw feathers with black liquid eyeliner and finish up by applying some green glitter to the feathers using a small eyeshadow applicator.
9. Eyeliner Styles for Beginners
This basic pencil eyeliner style provides definition to your eyes when applied straight across the upper eyelid and finished with a delicate wing.
It’s an easy style to achieve for beginners and can still highlight your eyes even if you’re only learning how to apply eyeliner.
10. Blue Eyeliner Styles for Small Eyes
Adding a brightly colored eyeliner can make your eyes appear larger even if you have small eyes. Experiment with some blue eyeliner to enhance the size of your eyes.
11. Double-Winged Eyeliner Styles
For a punk rock look, try a double-winged eyeliner style by drawing eyeliner on both the upper and lower eyelids. Create a curved winge on the upper lid while drawing a straight wing on the lower lid.
12. Enclosed Eyeliner Wing
This eyeliner is unique because it encloses the eye in a continuous wing but stops under the lower lid.
If you like this look, drag the eyeliner from the inner corner of your eye to the outer part of your eye. Then, continue drawing the wing underneath your lower lid and stop half-way across the lower eyelid.
13. Simple Curved Wing Eyeliner
To create this eyeliner style, start by applying a line with thick strokes on the upper eyelid. Then, finish up with a medium-length wing that flicks at a curved angle.
14. Silver Glitter Eyeliner
Create this 70’s vibe glittery eyeliner style by drawing black eyeliner onto the upper eyelid and creating a sharp wing at the outer part of your eye. Then, delicately apply silver glitter eyeshadow above the eyeliner and let it dry. Otherwise, you can use a silver glittery eyeliner to complete this look.
This shimmering eye makeup is a fun and stylish look that would be perfect for prom.
15. Short-Winged Eyeliner
This may seem like a simple eyeliner style, but it’s actually one of the most popular eye makeup trends. This eyeliner design suits most face types, with or without makeup because of its natural look.
Short-winged eyeliner styles can be created by drawing a think line across the upper eyelid and finishing up with a small, slightly arched wing.
16. Smokey Eyeliner Styles
This beautiful eyeliner style goes perfect with a smokey-eyed look. Start by applying the eyeshadow first. Then, apply a thin layer of eyeliner on the upper eyelid. Use a gel eyeliner to create a smudged effect when blending into the eyeshadow.
17. Thick Eyeliner with Thin Wing
This classic eyeliner style is applied by drawing a thick layer of eyeliner on the upper eyelid while applying just a small flicked wing.
18. Black and Pink Eyeliner Styles
This eyeliner style can be applied with any color and to any eye shape. Simply draw one layer of black eyeliner on the upper eyelid and follow the same pattern with a layer of pink eyeshadow or pink eyeliner above the black line.
19. Sharp-Winged Eyeliner
The eyes are one of the most expressive features of the face. Be more creative with your facial features and draw a long-winged eyeliner from the outer corner of your eye that stretches up to the end tip of your eyebrow.
20. Crazy Eyeliner Styles
This elaborate eyeliner style is inspired by the decorative makeup designs of ancient Egypt which were believed to ward off diseases.
If you plan on dressing up as Cleopatra for your next fancy dress, then follow this design by using a simple liquid eyeliner along with false eyelashes to complete the look.
21. Cat Eye Makeup
This basic cat-eye look can be created by first applying nude eyeshadow then followed by drawing on black eyeliner. Start by creating a thin line at the inner corner of the eye and gradually expand the thickness of the eyeliner. Finish up by drawing a thick, pointy wing.
22. Eyelid-Covered Eyeliner
This look can be created by covering the whole upper eyelid with liquid eyeliner. Apply excessive glitter to the inner section of the eye and gradually blend it in with the thick, black eyeliner.
23. Eyeliner with Layered Colors
This eyeliner has the 1960’s written all over it! Firstly, draw a thick line of black eyeliner then apply a color of your choice above the fist layer once it has dried fully to avoid any smudges.
24. Best Eyeliner for Droopy Eyes
If you’re someone who worries what eye makeup will suit your droopy eyes, you can give your eyes a natural lift by applying eyeliner to your upper eyelid only. Add a short flick at the end to elongate your eyes
25. Eyeliner with Smokey Pink Eyeshadow
Eyeliner is known to make your eyes pop, and pink eyeshadow can give the impression that your eyes are much wider than they really are. Try combining both black eyeliner and a pale pink smokey eyeshadow to draw more attention to your eyes.
This combination of soft, yet defining eye makeup is really a perfect wedding look.
26. Short Flicked Eyeliner
This short flicked eyeliner style is created by blending in the appearance of your eyeliner with the thickness of your eyelashes. By drawing a thin line of eyeliner along with a tiny wing at the end, your eyes appear naturally defined while your eyelashes look fuller.
27. High Pointed Wing Tip
This eyeliner style looks like a cat-eye however, this style has a much sharper point and does not have a curve. Instead, this design is created by drawing a sharp point towards your eyebrow and above your eyelashes.
Tips for Choosing the Right Eyeliner Style
In selecting eyeliner styles, a handy trick is to consider your eye color, skin complexion, age, and even your outfit. Always ensure that your eyeliner style concurs with your overall makeup.
It’s important to know what type of eyeliner style suits the rest of your makeup. If you’re planning on adorning heavy makeup to last the night, you might want to wear your eyeliner thick and bold to align with the rest of your look.
If you plan on wearing eyeliner during the day and want to look as natural as possible, revert back to eyeliner style no.2 from our list for a tame, soft, natural makeup look.
Remember: soft eyeliner means soft makeup.
Your style must highlight the shape of your eyes. Whether your eyes are naturally wide, or perhaps droop down, always choose the eyeliner that will suit your natural features.
Different Types of Eyeliners
An eyeliner can enhance the overall appearance of your facial features, even if you don’t use any other makeup. Here are a list of the five different types of eyeliners available on the market today that makeup artists are obsessed with.
Pencil Eyeliners
Pencil eyeliner can be used on both upper and lower eyelids but is known to crease when applied to the upper lid. Pencil eyeliners do however have the ability to build color a lot easier than other eyeliners as well as being an ideal product for any beginner’s makeup set.
Our Favourite Pencil Eyeliner
- INFALLIBLE NEVER FAIL SMUDGE-PROOF EYELINER: Mechanical pencil eyeliner with...
- NEVER FAIL EYE LINER: Glides on to create classic to bold eye designs to...
- CREATE YOUR PERFECT EYE MAKEUP LOOK with our collection of Voluminous mascaras,...
Cream Eyeliners
Unlike pencil eyeliners, cream eyeliners do not come in a pen or pencil form but instead come in a tub and is applied using a small eyeliner brush.
Our Favourite Cream Eyeliner
- A full-pigment cream color that provides crease-proof coverage and definition.
- This long-lasting, waterproof formula is ideal for shadow or liner application.
- This waterproof formula delivers full coverage with intense pigment
Pen Eyeliners
Pen eyeliners are easy to apply and have an effortless gliding effect. You can use pen eyeliners to both the upper and lower eyelids.
Our Favourite Pen Eyeliner
- Voluminous Smoldering Eyeliner is a smooth glide kajal eyeliner for a smoldering...
- Voluminous Smoldering Eyeliner is bold, blendable and richly intense - Also...
- The custom sharpener is included with the eyeliner to preserve the kajal tip...
Liquid Eyeliners
Liquid eyeliner is the best eyeliner for those with a steady hand. Once you become an expert with lots of practice, liquid eyeliner is super easy to apply and has amazing coverage when drawing over eyeshadow.
Our Favourite Liquid Eyeliner
- Single shade of Haus Laboratories' Matte Liquid Eyeliner
- Punk (Matte black)
- Matte Liquid Eye Lie ner makes it easy to achieve the perfect, defined lined...
Gel Eyeliners
Gel eyeliner has amazing coverage just like liquid eyeliner but needs a small brush like cream eyeliner in order to apply it. Make sure to use a setting powder or setting spray after you apply gel eyeliner to avoid raccoon eyes after a few hours of wear.
Our Favourite Gel Eyeliner
- High intensity pigments
- Long lasting formula
- Smudge proof
Best-Selling Eyeliners on the Market Right Now
Be the first to get your hands on these amazing products from our best-selling list of eyeliners that are the hottest and most popular on the market at the moment.
- Ophtalmologist, dermatologist and allergy tested creamy gel formula was...
- Highly concentrated pigments of the gel eyeliner intensifies your eye makeup for...
- Eyestudio Lasting Drama Waterproof Gel Pencil Eyeliner delivers intense color...
- HIGH-TECH FORMULA: This perfect trio of smudge-resistant eyeliners comes in 3...
- DOUBLE DUTY: Infused with botanicals & Vitamin E to nourish & enhance lashes,...
- ALL EYES ON YOU: From our Murumuru Butter Collection of eyeshadow palettes, to...
- Tattoo Studio Sharpenable Gel Pencil draws on an ultra-precise line with color...
- Featuring rich color pigments, this long-wearing eyeliner glides on in one...
- Available in a collection of 9 long-lasting shades from black - Deep Onyx and...
- It Cosmetics No-Tug Waterproof Gel Eyeliner
- Color: Black
- #034 Espresso (For Green Eyes)
- Creates bold liner looks with the control of a pencil
- Easily glides onto your eyelids
How To Apply Eyeliner
Even if you’re new to eyeliners, you can still quickly learn everything you need to know about how to apply it.
It always helps to use a proper makeup mirror for a closer look in order to catch any smudges or mistakes when applying your eyeliner.
Steps on How to Apply Eyeliner
Here are our four essential steps for you to follow that will make it easier for you when applying even the most complex eyeliner styles. This step-by-step guide is also the perfect lesson for beginners to follow who are not so used to this eye makeup routine.
Step 1: Stretch Your Skin Back
Use your fingers to pull the outer edge of your eyelashes and eyelids in order to avoid any skin creases or crevices when applying the eyeliner.
If you’re using a pencil eyeliner, make sure to sharpen the pencil then rub the tip along your finger to make it smooth so that the pencil won’t crumble when applying the eyeliner.
Step 2: Start at the Inside
Start drawing the eyeliner at the inner corner of your eye moving towards the outer edge of your eyelid. Do the same when applying eyeliner to the lower lid.
Step 3: Keep a Steady Hand
With a steady hand, draw a natural look by lining your eyelids tightly. Be careful not to create any creases or smudges. If so, simply wipe away the excess eyeliner with some makeup remover and start again. Practise makes perfect!
Step 4: Create a Wing
For a winged look, continue applying the eyeliner beyond your eyelids and flick a line upwards or outwards depending on what winged style you’re creating. To make it easier, stick some scotch tape to the side of your eye and trace the edge of the tape with the eyeliner to create a wing.
Video Tutorial on How to Apply Eyeliner
For a more visual step-by-step guide, watch this tutorial on how to apply eyeliner and learn more.
Frequently Asked Questions on Eyeliner Styles
Wearing eyeliner is a wonderful way to bring attention to your eyes. Whether you’re wearing dramatic or subtle makeup, eyeliner can definitely bring your look up a notch.
If you have some questions, no need to fret. We’ve created a list of our top three frequently asked questions on eyeliner styles for you below.
Is it difficult to apply eyeliner?
Depending on how skilled you are at applying makeup, eyeliner may be a difficult skill for you to learn. The good news is with practice, you can become a pro at any style you put your mind to. If you are struggling to master a style, consider getting help from a makeup savvy friend or a makeup artist.
What is the most popular of the eyeliner styles?
One of the most popular eyeliner styles is short-winged eyeliner. This consists of a thin line of liner on your upper eyelid, which flicks out at the ends to create a winged look. This helps to make your eyes appear more open and draws attention to the outer corners of your eyes, which also helps make them look bigger.
Which eyeliner style is the best for beginners?
A standard, non-winged eyeliner is the best option for beginners. If you start here, you have the chance to perfect the line on your eyelid itself before moving on to more complicated styles.
Eyeliner Styles: Things to Remember
With these eyeliner styles, your eyes will never be dull again. Pencil eyeliners are known by users to create bolder lines and build color which makes it the perfect option for beginners who may often make mistakes when applying.
Pen eyeliners are considered to be user-friendly with an easy glide while liquid eyeliners create absolute precision for those who have mastered the steady hand.
Gel eyeliners and cream eyeliners are a popular eyeliner amongst makeup artists and everyday women like you when creating a smudgy, smokey-eyed look.
We love hearing from our readers about their own makeup routines, so let us know in the comments below which eyeliner styles are your favorite and fill us in on your top tips for how you apply your eyeliner!
Mimi Drews is a freelance makeup artist for celebrities and certified nail artists. She adores sharing makeup tricks, hacks, and techniques for everyone through articles. Recently, nail arts have been her passion as she is creating stunning pieces of miniature artworks on famous people’s hands…
Neat article. Thanks for the tips and techniques.
I like some of them. You’ve prepared a great list. Thanks for the ideas.
I like this idea and the family things prepared for makeup