Attempting winged liner in a 10-minute makeup look seems like a flawed idea.
And yet here we are. 🙂
It seems like it would be a near-impossible feat, like — I dunno — convincing your husband to let you visit the animal shelter and bring home all of the kittens.
But you really can do it.
You can! Ten-minute winged liner looks are entirely possible.
In fact, I winged it out today.
The look
Today I aimed for elegant and chic with diffused winged liner, matte lids, a neutral pink cheek and nude lips.
This is one of those “I want to look like I tried, but not like I tried too hard” looks I like to wear, and I think it’s also a really cute first date look, maybe with a dress and heels for dinner, or with jeans and a tee for a casual Sunday brunch date.
Of course you could also totally wear it to work.
But isn’t winged liner a big-ol’ pain in the you-know-what?
It has that reputation…but it doesn’t have to be Olympic-caliber difficult. I think that techniques like this one, which is what I used today, can make it easier.
For liner, I chose a dark gunmetal gray with tiny silver sparkles — MAC Pearlglide Intense Eyeliner in Black Swan, which you can find in the permanent collection. Of course you could also use a basic black, or whatever other color you feel like wearing, but I went with this one because it’s not quite as stark as full-on black liner and consequently more forgiving, so if/when I make a mistake, no problem! 🙂 It’s a lot easier to correct.
I also like that it has tiny flecks of silver glitter in it for a little extra kick.
Can you REALLY do this in 10 minutes?
Yes, you absolutely can, especially if you do a couple of these things to save time…
Pick a focal point. If you’re going to incorporate a single focal element (like winged liner in this case), scale back on the rest of your makeup. For me, when I do liner, it always tends to take up most of my time, usually because I have to clean up some mistakes, so it helps to keep that in mind before you start.
Line it up! Before I started this look, I prepped my workspace first. I sharpened my liners, and then lined up all of my tools and the products I knew I’d need on my table in front of me (in order of their use).
If you’re going to be doing a look like this for work, I also suggest laying out all of your products the night before. That way you can just fly through your makeup the next morning.
Streamline your tools, too. Think ahead of time about which and how many brushes you’ll need. I LOVE dual-ended brushes because you’re basically holding two brushes in your hand at the same time. Also, keep your “just in case” products at the ready, and by “just in case,” I mean all of the things you might need if something goes wrong, like paper towels (for spills), makeup removing wipes, Q-tips, eye makeup remover and a pencil sharpener, in case your liner breaks.
Makeup I’m wearing in this look…
- MAC Fix + — sprayed all over my face (because my skin was feeling dry)
- Make Up For Ever Step 1 Hydrating Primer — primer (when it’s thirsty, my skin really likes this one)
- L’Oreal True Match Lumi in Sun Beige — foundation (applied with fingers, and then blended with a BeautyBlender)
- MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural in Medium Tan — powder (dusted all over my face)
- Maybelline Fit Me Concealer in 25 Medium — under-eye concealer
- Bobbi Brown Natural Brow Shaper in Mahogany — brows
- Shu Uemura Lash Curler — lashes
- Buxom Lash Mascara in Blackest Black — upper and lower lashes
- MAC Pro Longwear Paint Pot in Camel Coat — eyeshadow (lids and crease)
- MAC Pearlglide Intense Liner in Black Swan — upper lash lines
- Chanel Stylo Yeux Waterproof Long-Lasting Eyeliner in Noir Intense — upper water lines
- Urban Decay Naked Flush in Native — blush and bronzer mixed together, and then applied to the apples of my cheeks; bronzer blended around the edges of my face; and highlighter buffed atop the brow bone, the inner corners of the eyes and down the bridge of my nose
- MAC Huggable Lipcolour in Soft Talkin’ — lips (this is my new favorite nude lipstick, by the way)
- Burberry No. 02 Powder Brush
- BeautyBlender
- Real Techniques Multi-Task Brush
- MAC Dual-Ended Eyeshadow Brush (limited edition)
- NARS 42 Brush
- It Cosmetics Dual Eyeshadow Brush
- NARS 47 Brush
- Urban Decay Sharpener
- Urban Decay All Nighter Makeup Setting Spray
I hope you give this a try! Please send me a pic if you do. 🙂
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Fancie says
April 27th, 2015 at 5:43 pmThis is pretty much my everyday look lol. I love doing winged eyeliner because it makes the rest of my routine easy. Sure it’s a little tricky but once you get the hang of it, it’s a breeze. Plus you don’t have to go all out with the rest of your makeup which is the perfect excuse to be a little lazy lol. You’d never think it only took 10 minutes for this look though. You totally rocked it!
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Karen says
April 27th, 2015 at 5:53 pmThanks, Fancie! Happy Monday to you!
Chelsea says
April 27th, 2015 at 5:51 pmLove this! Polished, but not too intense.
Karen says
April 27th, 2015 at 5:52 pmThanks, Chelsea. That pretty much sums it up. 🙂
I hope you had a nice weekend. Did you do anything fun?
Chelsea says
April 27th, 2015 at 5:55 pmI did a hula hoop performance at my circus gym student showcase! The theme was disco, so a lot of glitter was involved. Still finding it on my face days later. Also purchased some really cute pumps at Nordstrom Rack since I had kind of a pre job interview lunch today.
How are you? Long time no chat!
Karen says
April 27th, 2015 at 6:03 pmFUN! Were there multiple hoops involved in the performance? Please say yes! And girl…You’ll be finding the glitter on you (and the furbabies) for weeks. LOL
Hope the pre-job interview went well. Is it for a better position in your field?
Things on this end are better. I’ve been doing a LOT of cleaning and decluttering. It’s a chore, but it feels so good. Now I’m about to make some tacos, yum!
Chelsea says
April 27th, 2015 at 6:31 pmMultiple hoops WERE involved! First time during dual hoops in public.
Similar type of role, different kind of data analysis with a different company. A former colleague is there and wanted to chat!
Karen says
April 27th, 2015 at 8:41 pmThat is so cool! And was it timed to the music? If so you’re much more coordinated than I am.
Keeping my fingers crossed for you re: the job. Hopefully the pre-interview will turn into a full on interview!
Lulle says
April 27th, 2015 at 6:18 pmBecause I’m a klutz this would take me a little longer than 10 minutes, lol!
I should use your eyeliner trick more often. It works really well but I never think about it, I don’t know why! It’s the only way I can make a thin flick.
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Karen says
April 27th, 2015 at 8:40 pmOh gosh, don’t you hate when a tiny kitten flick morphs into a HUGE bat wing? That’s seriously the story of my life unless I use that technique.
Kwmechelle says
April 27th, 2015 at 7:11 pm*raises hand* is the #20 a NARS flat-angled brush?
Karen says
April 27th, 2015 at 8:43 pmIt’s the NARS #47 an it’s AWESOME. Hands down the best angled liner brush!
Agata says
April 27th, 2015 at 7:16 pmIt looks great but I think it’d take me more than 10 minutes. I really want to try this L’Oreal foundation but I cannot find a good color match for my skintone :-/
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Karen says
April 27th, 2015 at 8:45 pmYou can do it in 10 minutes, for real! Just lay everything out and have all your products and tools prepped. Keep your timer nearby so you can watch the time closely. YOU CAN DO IT!
Allison C says
April 27th, 2015 at 7:26 pmSuch a pretty and yet sophisticated look. I certainly couldn’t do it in 10 minutes but that’s me, makeup application-challenged. I am curious about the Mac Fix+, what is that exactly? I thought it was a setting spray, but you said you use it when your skin feels dry. So I’m mega curious since my skin is like the Sahara. And I will take a look at the MUFE Hydrating Primer and the MAC Liner – gunmetal with sparkles sounds wonderful
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Karen says
April 27th, 2015 at 8:49 pmHey Allison,
MAC Fix+ does a bunch of different things. Sometimes I use it to prep the skin as a lightweight moisture mist before applying foundation (I like to have my skin be slightly damp before I apply foundation; seems to help make blending easier). You can also mist it on throughout the day if you need a little extra moisture (it doesn’t disturb the makeup). And yup — also works as a setting spray. I use it to wet my brush heads, too. Feel free to ask me more questions…I love it and always have a bottle on hand.
Pavithra says
April 27th, 2015 at 11:24 pmKaren, this is just so pretty! I’ve lined up my makeup to try the other 10 min look (one with Naked Basics 2) this week! Wish me luck! Sometimes it takes me 10 min to find my 217. Other times, it takes me 20 min to find my sunscreen.
Kiss & Make-up says
April 28th, 2015 at 4:03 amYour whole eye area looks so luminous, I love it! It’s like the make-up equivalent of 10 cups of coffee, you look so awake.
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Kwmechelle says
April 28th, 2015 at 6:12 amSo, essentially, you just told me that I need this brush. Well then, so be it. I forgot to bring my angled brush with me. This brush is on the list =)
Karen says
April 28th, 2015 at 2:50 pmYes! It’s the one that makes lining (and wings) the easiest. When mine is dirty I freak out a little, LOL! It’s such a great brush.
Amanda says
April 28th, 2015 at 7:09 amBam! This is my kind of winged eyeliner look. Thanks for the tips!
ericca says
April 28th, 2015 at 8:34 amThis is a great look. I could wear this out on the weekends, to work but I am just too lazy. LOL
yelena says
April 28th, 2015 at 8:47 amlove this look Karen, and most importantly, I love that your big smile is back 😀
Lancy says
April 28th, 2015 at 11:38 amThe makeup is fresh and you look flawless, Karen! I so love the way you’ve lined your eyes here 🙂
Cherie says
April 28th, 2015 at 11:45 amThis is my absolute favorite make-up look. Classy, chic, and can be worn to any meeting. Love it!!
LindaLibraLoca says
April 28th, 2015 at 11:45 amI always do a winged liner for work. That way I have one focal point I don’t have to worry about touching up.
And after work I´ll spice things up with a bright lip for the exciting stuff like grocery shopping…
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Erin says
April 28th, 2015 at 12:46 pmI need that RT brush!
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Maddie says
April 28th, 2015 at 1:49 pmYou look absolutely radiant, Karen! I really love this simple look. But seriously you are glowing. 🙂