Cat eye makeup has been fashionable for the better part of a century, from 1950s screen sirens to today’s soft brown flicks, and it keeps returning because a well placed wing changes the shape of the eye more than almost any other technique. It is also the look most people give up on after the third attempt. The good news is that a neat cat eye depends far more on method than on a steady hand.

What is a cat eye?

A cat eye is eyeliner that extends beyond the outer corner of the eye in an upward flick, creating a lifted, elongated shape. The wing can be tiny or dramatic, sharp or smudged, black or brown. What makes it a cat eye is that outward and upward extension.

Different cat eye looks

The classic cat eye

A medium black wing drawn from the outer corner towards the tail of the brow, connected back to a line that thickens gradually across the upper lash line. Timeless, and the version to master first.

The sharp black winged liner

A longer, more graphic wing with a crisp point. It pairs beautifully with a simple base and a strong lip, and it is popular for evening events and formal photography.

The soft brown cat eye

Brown liner, often smudged slightly at the edges, gives the same lifting effect with much less contrast. It suits daytime wear, lighter eye colours and anyone who finds black liner harsh.

The subtle everyday flick

A short, thin wing that barely extends past the lashes. It adds lift without looking like “a look” and takes very little time once you have practised.

The smudged or smokey cat eye

Liner or a dark shadow drawn into a wing and then softened with a small brush. It is the most forgiving version, because the edges do not need to be perfect.

Choosing an eyeliner formula

Formula	Best for	Things to know
Felt tip or brush pen liquid	Beginners who want sharp lines	Easy to control; less intense than pot liners
Liquid with brush	Crisp, graphic wings	Very precise once practised; less forgiving
Gel	Bold, long lasting lines	Applied with an angled or fine brush; can be smudged before it sets
Pencil	Soft or smudged wings	Easiest to blend; harder to keep sharp
Eyeshadow on an angled brush	Soft, diffused wings	Very forgiving; can be used as a guide under liquid liner

For a pen liner, NYX Professional Makeup Epic Ink Liner has a slender, flexible brush tip and a waterproof formula, according to its product listing, and comes in black and brown. Maybelline Tattoo Liner 48h Liquid Pen Eyeliner, Essence Liquid Ink Eyeliner Waterproof and Catrice 24hr Brush Liner Waterproof are other options stocked at Dis-Chem. For a softer wing, Revlon ColorStay Eye Liner comes in black and brown pencil.

How to apply a cat eye, step by step

1. Prepare the lid. Liner clings and smudges on oily lids. Use a little eyeshadow primer or set your concealer with powder before you start.
2. Find your angle. Look straight into a mirror with your face relaxed. Imagine a line from the outer edge of your nostril through the outer corner of your eye. Your wing should follow roughly that direction.
3. Draw the wing first. Starting just past the outer corner, draw a short line along that angle. Keep it short; you can always lengthen it.
4. Connect it back. From the tip of the wing, draw a line back down towards the upper lash line, about a third of the way in from the outer corner. You now have a small triangle.
5. Fill in the triangle and then line the rest of the upper lash line, keeping the line thinnest at the inner corner.
6. Tightline by pressing pencil into the roots of the upper lashes, so there is no skin showing between liner and lashes.
7. Clean up with a flat brush and a little concealer or micellar water to sharpen the edge of the wing.
8. Finish with mascara.

Practising with eyeshadow first is a useful trick. Sketch the shape with a dark brown shadow on an angled brush, check it from both sides, then trace over it with liquid liner.

Eye shape considerations

Hooded eyes

Draw the wing with your eyes open and looking straight ahead, so you can see where the hood folds. A “bat wing” approach, where the wing is drawn slightly flatter and the line follows the fold rather than the lash line, keeps it visible when your eyes are open.

Monolids

A thicker line is often needed for it to show when the eyes are open. Build thickness gradually and consider a slightly longer, straighter wing.

Downturned eyes

Start the wing a little higher than the outer corner and angle it upwards more steeply, to lift the eye. Avoid heavy liner along the lower outer corner, which pulls the eye down.

Almond and round eyes

Almond eyes suit most wing shapes. On round eyes, a longer horizontal wing elongates the shape; keeping the line thin in the centre of the lid helps avoid emphasising roundness.

Mature eyes

Crepey lids can make liquid liner skip. A gel or pencil, smudged slightly, often sits more comfortably. Our makeup tips for older women cover more adjustments.

Correcting uneven wings

Almost everyone has one eye that is easier to line than the other. To even things out:

• Do the harder eye first, then match the easier one to it.
• Work in small strokes on both eyes alternately rather than finishing one eye completely.
• Check from a slight distance and with your face straight; tilting your head distorts the angle.
• Correct small differences by sharpening the edge of the longer wing with concealer, rather than adding more liner to the shorter one. Adding liner only makes both wings creep thicker.
• Use a cotton bud dipped in micellar water to erase mistakes cleanly.

Common mistakes

• Pulling the eyelid taut. The line looks straight while the skin is stretched, then wobbles when you let go. Keep the lid relaxed.
• Drawing the wing with eyes closed. It may disappear into the fold when you open them.
• Making the line too thick at the inner corner. This closes the eye. Taper it.
• Leaving a gap at the lash line. Tightlining fills the space and makes lashes look fuller.
• Applying over oily lids. The liner transfers onto the crease within hours.

Pairing a cat eye with the rest of your makeup

A sharp black wing tends to look best with a clean, even base and a lip that either stays quiet (a soft nude) or deliberately matches its boldness (a classic red). A soft brown flick fits naturally into natural makeup looks. If you want more drama, combining a short wing with a smokey eye gives definition and depth together.

Frequently asked questions

Which eyeliner is best for beginners?

A felt tip or fine brush pen is usually the easiest to control. Eyeshadow on an angled brush is even more forgiving for practice.

How do I stop my cat eye from smudging?

Prime the lid, choose a waterproof liner, let it dry fully before opening your eyes wide, and set the wing lightly with a matching eyeshadow.

Can I wear a cat eye with false lashes?

Yes. Apply the liner first, then lashes, and run a little liner over the lash band to hide it. Our post on why eyelashes won’t stick may help if they lift at the corners.

Learn the technique in person

Eyeliner is one of the techniques people most often ask to learn hands on. Makeup By Katli offers one on one makeup lessons; see the current price list or get in touch to arrange a session.