Yeah, you could line your lash lines with a basic black or brown liner and call it a day, but it’s Fri-YAY! Let’s wear two different colors. Two fun colors, woo-hoo! ?
I mean, you don’t have to go as crazy as I did here with, like, teal and purple, but I’m not going to discourage you if you’re in the mood to go bold.
So, let’s talk about ombre eyeliner, which is what I call it when one shade of liner merges into another shade to create an ombre effect.
I usually like to do the inner part of my lash lines in a lighter color than the outer part because I think it makes the most visual sense to me, but it’s just a preference. Anything goes.
For this look here, I’m doing my lighter liner on the inner part, and a darker liner on the outer part.
1. Choose your two liner colors
I think this is the hardest step — picking two colors that go well together, and also go well with your overall look.
Think about what you’re wearing on your lids, a.k.a. everything about your lash line and below the crease. I’m wearing a teal shade on my lids, so I went with a darker green shade for my inner liner, and a dark purple for the outer liner (the purple also echoes my purple lips, but I might try this again and use a dark blue).
Side note: when I do this kind of look with neutrals (you know I love me some browns!), I like to use gold, bronze or rose gold for the inner liner, and then, say, a dark plum, dark navy or a forest green for the outer section.
Basically, just consider your eyeshadow, and go with your gut. Honestly, you can’t really go wrong with whatever you choose.
But if you’re still stumped and can’t decide, play with some colors on the back of your hand, and then hold your hand up by your eye to see if the colors work with whatever you’re wearing on your lids. And if you do line your eyes with a color that you end up not liking, just draw over it with another shade. I do that all the time!
Now that you’ve (hopefully) picked your colors…
2. Line the inner portion of your upper and lower lash lines with your lighter color
Start your ombre liner look by lining your upper and lower lash lines with the lighter shade, going from the inner corner and stopping about halfway along your lash lines.
By the way, for this look, I chose a pencil liner, because I wanted a lot of control over the line, but any formula (powder, gel, liquid, you name it) works. And whether you leave the edge crisp, or smudge it out, is totally up to you. A smudgier line will be more casual and grungy, while a crisp line will look more formal and glamorous.
3. Line the outer portion of your upper and lower lash lines with your darker color
Next, line your upper and lower lash lines with your darker color, and I like to slightly overlap the lighter color.
Take that darker color all the way to the outer corner of your lash lines.
You can also add a wing if you’d like. Again, totally up to you.
Wing or no wing, though, be sure to connect the colors in the outer corner; otherwise; it can look unfinished.
After you’re done lining, run a Q-tip soaked in a little bit of makeup remover to sharpen the edges if you need to.
Aaand you’re done! TGIF. Have a great Friday. 🙂
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Mary Babicki says
I love this makeup look on you!
Karen says
Thanks, Mary. Are you a winged liner kinda girl? Or do you prefer to skip the wings?
For me it depends on the day… Sometimes I just can’t get those angles right (like when I’ve had too much coffee, ha!).
Icequeen81 says
Great tips, hope I can manage to put that make up looks 🙂
Karen says
I think you can! If you try (and I hope you do), please send me a picture. Would love to see it on you, and to see your beautiful face. Have a nice Friday, friend. <3
Icequeen81 says
I will have a nice weekend too
Marta says
That looks so nice! I love to be bold and fun with my eye looks and I’m definitely gonna try this out!
Karen says
If you do, please send me a pic, Marta! Would love to see it on you.
Agata says
This look and your pictures belong in Vogue magazine! Simply stunning! I have never even thought of creating an ombre liner so thanks for that creative inspiration! I will have to try it but I will have to use eyeshadows as liners I think. I don’t have a ton of colorful eyeliners.
Karen says
Wearing eyeshadow as liner is one of my fave double duty makeup tricks.
Somewhat related (but not really): did you ever pick up Teddy Liner or Costa Riche by MAC? I think both would look amazing on you.
Happy Friday!
Agata says
I have not but I need to! Mac counter is always so full of new goodies that I forget about getting or looking at basics.
Happy Friday! Anything planned for the weekend?
Karen says
Both have reddish tones that would look crazy good on your eyes.
Happy Friday indeed! Tonight I’m going to dinner with a friend for a ladydate! We’re having Burmese food, which I looove. Tomorrow I have to go to the dentist at the crack of dawn (really not looking forward to it AT ALL) and then I’m getting my hair cut. Other than that the usual stuff; a little bit of cleaning, working out, hanging out with the fam.
What are you up to?
Tatiana says
Wait! You did that wing tipped liner with a pencil??!!! It’s so precise and comes to such a lovely point. You have mad skills. I lack patience to futz with my makeup like this. Well I lack patience in general, just ask my husband and child.
TravelingBlush says
She does!!
Micaela says
Hi Karen,
I’m completely fascinated by this makeup. Looks really beautiful on you! Please make a video of how to do it.
Kisses,
Erin says
I love doing this myself! I’d usually do grey or blue on the inside and a black on the outside. It keeps my deep set eyes look less shadowed if I use something lighter on the inner 1/3.
Jan says
Love your green eye shadow. What product is it?
Chelsea says
When in doubt, wing it out! Love this look, I’ve done it using eyeshadow as liner. The inside was like a neon green, outside was a bit darker.
Holly says
I adore ombre liner and this looks amazing on you! I’ve done it in purples, blues, and greens. If I do wear a shadow with this look (which I don’t always), it’s usually a matte or shimmery ecru. I also do the lighter shade on the inner part and a kitten flick for a little flair. When I do the blue ombre, I use blue mascara on the lower lashes for an extra pop of color. Such a fun look!
LindaLibraLoca says
Another great idea I have not thought of doin myself. You are such a source of creative inspiration!
Eleni says
I love this look! You look gorgeous! I wish I could pull this look off, I’m not sure though the products will last in my oily lids. Any tips for making the liner last Karen? xx