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The Lazy Girl’s Guide to Winged Eyeliner

June 20th, 2016 by Jen Clark 34 Comments

Easy winged eyeliner

Winged eyeliner is one of my favorite makeup techniques because it makes such a big impact. It’s not always easy to do, though. In fact, sometimes it’s a freaking pain in the butt. Plus, once you screw it up, it’s hard to save the rest of your makeup look.

For those days when I can’t shake the cute, little toddler hanging off my arm, or for the days when, out of pure laziness, I really just can’t get myself to even attempt liquid liner, I use this easy technique to get the same winged liner effect, but with a lot less frustration!

Rather than using a liquid or gel liner, I use an angled brush and a black or super dark brown eyeshadow like Black or Espresso from the Lorac Pro Palette because they’re easy to work with and super goof-proof.

By the way, I think the best brush of all time to use for this lazy girl’s winged liner is the MAC 266, if you happen to have one. It pretty much does the work for you.

The Black shade in the Lorac Pro palette is great!
The Black shade in the Lorac Pro palette is great!
One of my all time favorite brushes!
One of my all-time favorite brushes!

Dip your angled brush in your shadow, then tap the brush against the side of your table to remove any excess. If you don’t do this, you’ll get all of that lovely fallout on your cheeks instead.

Next, using a pressing motion, press the shadow into your lash line. I like pressing the color instead of sweeping it because I think I get a much better, more intense color payoff.

Press the shadow into the upper lashline
Press the shadow into your upper lash line

Now, angling your brush upward, make a line as if you were continuing your lower lash line. If you follow that imaginary line, you’ll get the most flattering shape for your eye.

And I use a little flicking motion at the end of the line to make sure I get a diffused tip.

Create a line following the lower lashline
Create a line following the lower lash line

The next step is a little harder to explain, so here’s a quick video to show what I’m doing. Basically, I’m flipping my brush the other way round, and flicking it to fill in the shape of the line I want. Again, by using that flicking motion, you get a pretty diffused look, rather than a harsh line. It’s has a pretty, soft look to it.

Your browser does not support the video tag.

Literally, that’s it! You’re done! πŸ™‚ How easy was that?

I will say, though, that having the right brush makes this a thousand times easier if you’re having a hard time with it. I promise.

The finished lazy girl's liner look!
The finished lazy girl’s liner look!

This is usually the liner style that I like to use on brides who request winged eyeliner. I think it looks a lot softer and prettier and isn’t as harsh as liquid liner can look.

Sometimes I’ll use a dark brown or even a plummy color, and and if I want to soften the line even more, I’ll take a blending brush and run over it a little bit.

I hope this makes your life just a little bit easier, and if you want, I also did a post on my blog called 4 steps to perfect winged eyeliner using liquid liner.

Jen Clark


Hi, beautiful! I’m Jen from Jen Leigh Beauty. Now, rather than just talking to myself about makeup, I write it down in a blog. Besides being madly in love with anything I can smear on my face (and sharing pics on Instagram), I’m more in love with my hunky husband, my sweet 2-year-old, and my fluffy fur baby. Thank goodness they put up with the madness, because I love chatting about my favorite things with people who understand the addiction.

The Lazy Girl’s Guide to Winged Eyeliner / Originally published June 20th, 2016

Categories: Guest Post, Makeup Tips/How To

The products in this entry were provided by the manufacturer for consideration. For information about my posting policy, please see my Disclaimer.

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Comments

  1. Lulle says

    June 20th, 2016 at 2:49 pm

    That’s also my go-to technique for a soft cat-eye look! In fact I did just that yesterday for a date night. I do line the first few millimiters of my lower lash line when I do that, otherwise I get a weird blank space right at the outer corner of my eye.
    Lulle recently posted … Unboxing: Sephora Play! June 2016

    Reply
    • Jen Clark says

      June 21st, 2016 at 7:22 pm

      I love lining a little part of my lower lash line and connecting them up too! It looks super pretty! πŸ™‚
      Jen Clark recently posted … Spritz On One Of My Favorite Delicious Summer Scents

      Reply
  2. Chelsea says

    June 20th, 2016 at 6:19 pm

    Love this look! I usually use liquid liner (LancΓ΄me Artliner or Clinique Pretty Easy Liquid Eyelining Pen), but I’ll have to try this for a different look!

    Reply
    • Jen Clark says

      June 21st, 2016 at 7:23 pm

      I’m usually all about the liquid liner too, but this is such a fun and pretty change every now and then!
      Jen Clark recently posted … Spritz On One Of My Favorite Delicious Summer Scents

      Reply
  3. Kelly B. says

    June 20th, 2016 at 6:21 pm

    I totally agree, the right brush makes ALL the difference! This is by far my favorite technique for applying eyeliner, it’s so easy with a good dark eyeshadow!
    Kelly B. recently posted … Sephora Play June 2016 Unboxing

    Reply
    • Jen Clark says

      June 21st, 2016 at 7:24 pm

      So true! πŸ™‚
      Jen Clark recently posted … Spritz On One Of My Favorite Delicious Summer Scents

      Reply
  4. LindaLibraLoca says

    June 20th, 2016 at 6:43 pm

    I love my winged liner, but I rarely use powder. It is the technique I have the least practice in. Sounds easy enough though.
    LindaLibraLoca recently posted … Garancia Pscht Magique – Do you remember foam parties?

    Reply
    • Jen Clark says

      June 21st, 2016 at 7:24 pm

      It’s super easy once you get it down how you like it!
      Jen Clark recently posted … Spritz On One Of My Favorite Delicious Summer Scents

      Reply
  5. Leah Rose says

    June 20th, 2016 at 6:49 pm

    I love using shadow as a liner, so easy to just blend it away if it goes wrong.

    Reply
    • Jen Clark says

      June 21st, 2016 at 7:25 pm

      I love how easy it is to fix!
      Jen Clark recently posted … Spritz On One Of My Favorite Delicious Summer Scents

      Reply
  6. anusha says

    June 20th, 2016 at 8:03 pm

    I have expresso in my lorac pocket pro ..Will try this for sure ..thanks!

    Reply
    • Jen Clark says

      June 21st, 2016 at 7:25 pm

      Let me know how it goes! πŸ™‚
      Jen Clark recently posted … Spritz On One Of My Favorite Delicious Summer Scents

      Reply
  7. Becky says

    June 20th, 2016 at 8:44 pm

    I do this for brides, too! Often at a trial they will be adamant about a liquid/gel liner, but usually after trying this they go for it. It is really soft and pretty with some neutral shadow!

    Beekeyper – Latest – Nuxe RΓͺve de Miel – in a stick!

    Reply
    • Jen Clark says

      June 21st, 2016 at 7:27 pm

      Same! They always end up liking this way better πŸ™‚ If they want it a little darker though I will add some black gel liner along the lash line and that normally does the trick to sell it. I didn’t know you were a makeup artist! How cool!
      Jen Clark recently posted … Spritz On One Of My Favorite Delicious Summer Scents

      Reply
      • Becky says

        June 22nd, 2016 at 3:16 am

        Haha shhhh! Don’t tell anyone! πŸ˜‰ I’m only self taught – do a lot of friends weddings and the like! Not full time! X

        Reply
  8. Kiss & Make-up says

    June 21st, 2016 at 1:23 am

    Yup, nailed it! And I also like that the powder makes it all look a bit softer.
    Kiss & Make-up recently posted … Clinique Moisture Surge Extended Thirst Relief vs Moisture Surge Intense Skin Fortifying Hydrator

    Reply
    • Jen Clark says

      June 21st, 2016 at 7:27 pm

      Thanks girl!
      Jen Clark recently posted … Spritz On One Of My Favorite Delicious Summer Scents

      Reply
  9. Alice says

    June 21st, 2016 at 3:25 am

    WHY have I never thought of this? It looks so beautiful, is so simple and I really needed to find a softer look for my wings πŸ™‚

    Thank you!

    Alice | Whiskey Jars Blog

    Reply
    • Jen Clark says

      June 21st, 2016 at 7:28 pm

      I’m so glad you like it! Hopefully it works out well for you πŸ™‚
      Jen Clark recently posted … Spritz On One Of My Favorite Delicious Summer Scents

      Reply
  10. Amanda says

    June 21st, 2016 at 6:44 am

    BAM! You just solved a makeup mystery for me with your video. It honestly never occured to me to flip the brush the other way to fill in that line. I can’t wait to do this tomorrow. Thank you!!!

    Reply
    • Jen Clark says

      June 21st, 2016 at 7:29 pm

      I’m so glad it helped! It’s so hard to explain in words so I hoped the video might be a little easier to follow. πŸ™‚
      Jen Clark recently posted … Spritz On One Of My Favorite Delicious Summer Scents

      Reply
  11. Angela says

    June 21st, 2016 at 8:43 am

    I am always enamored with your liner, Jen. Aspirations πŸ˜‰
    Mine never turns out right when I use a powder (but maybe that’s the brush?!) but I’ll persevere until I finally get it.

    Reply
    • Jen Clark says

      June 21st, 2016 at 7:30 pm

      Haha you’re so sweet Angela, thank you! Ya if you can’t seem to quite get it, switching up your brush may do the trick. You can do it! I believe in you! πŸ™‚
      Jen Clark recently posted … Spritz On One Of My Favorite Delicious Summer Scents

      Reply
  12. Erin says

    June 21st, 2016 at 8:51 am

    I do this even with colored shadows too. You can also use the same technique over liquid or pencil to set and diffuse the look a little. I do that too. It’s a great way to soften the look up for conservative work places or bridal looks as you mentioned. It’s also great for brown and grey shades to give definition without the occasional harshness a true black can give! My favorite shades to use with this was actually a Lorac shade from a long time ago, a blackened indigo. They have great matte shades that aren’t flat and the formula really lends itself to this application.
    Erin recently posted … Quick Personal Post

    Reply
    • Jen Clark says

      June 21st, 2016 at 7:31 pm

      You’re so right, I always set my liner like this and sometimes blend it out so its pretty and diffused. πŸ™‚ Ooh and indigo color would be amazing!
      Jen Clark recently posted … Spritz On One Of My Favorite Delicious Summer Scents

      Reply
  13. Susan says

    June 21st, 2016 at 9:30 am

    This is so wearable.
    And easier to achieve than liquid liner which always looks so dramatic.

    http://a-woman-of-a-certain-age.com/

    Reply
    • Jen Clark says

      June 21st, 2016 at 7:31 pm

      It really is so easy to do and to wear πŸ™‚
      Jen Clark recently posted … Spritz On One Of My Favorite Delicious Summer Scents

      Reply
  14. Chris25 says

    June 21st, 2016 at 11:34 am

    Yes to easy wings! Thanks for the tip.
    Chris25 recently posted … Review: L’Oreal Silkissime Eyeliner in True Teal

    Reply
    • Jen Clark says

      June 21st, 2016 at 7:32 pm

      No problem! πŸ™‚
      Jen Clark recently posted … Spritz On One Of My Favorite Delicious Summer Scents

      Reply
  15. Mickey says

    June 21st, 2016 at 2:56 pm

    I tried this out and a new way for me to do an eyeliner. Any tips for us oily lids to keep it from running? Lids are great till 2 and then for some reason I get oily then

    Reply
    • Jen Clark says

      June 21st, 2016 at 7:33 pm

      If you don’t already I would use a great primer, that saves the day for me every time. My number one recommendation would be Urban Decay primer potion, Too Faced shadow insurance is great as well. I also will be trying the Nars one soon, I hear that one is hardcore amazing for oily lids. Hope that helps! πŸ™‚
      Jen Clark recently posted … Spritz On One Of My Favorite Delicious Summer Scents

      Reply
  16. Maddie says

    June 21st, 2016 at 4:09 pm

    It looks beautiful on you, but my hooded eyelids won’t allow me to wear winged liner. Curses. ?

    Reply
    • Jen Clark says

      June 21st, 2016 at 7:35 pm

      I totally know what you mean, hooded eyes can be a little tricky to work with. Maybe I will have to do a tutorial on how to get a winged liner effect on hooded eyes!
      Jen Clark recently posted … Spritz On One Of My Favorite Delicious Summer Scents

      Reply
      • Maddie says

        June 21st, 2016 at 7:38 pm

        That would be great! I’d love to see your tips, Jen. I’ll look out for it.

        Reply

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