Most days, I will gleefully wear neutrals on my lids (NEUTRALS 4 LIFE!), but there are still days when I just gotta get some color in the mix.
Will I frequently carve out 30 minutes for cray-cray eyeshadow gradients and intense layering and blending? Nah, but when I am pressed for time (which is daily, it seems), and I still need a color fix, I’ll grab a colorful eyeliner.
Purple, blue, green, gold, pink… Seriously, I feel like a kid in a candy store whenever I see those bright sticks, and one of the best things about colorful liner IMO (besides the endless choices!) is that you can go subtle OR bold with them.
Here are four ways to work colorful liner into your day, starting with two options that are more wearable, and ending with two that have more OOMPH.
In all of these pics, the colorful eyeliner I’m wearing is Urban Decay Mainline, a deep bluish green with a matte finish!
Look #1 (wearable): Liner layered beneath a neutral eyeshadow
This is a fab, facile way to work some color into your eye makeup. First, start by lining your bare lids with your eyeliner of choice, then blend a neutral eyeshadow (or eyeshadows) directly on top.
The result? A super subtle wash of color peeking through your upper lash line.
Look #2 (wearable): Layered liner with a tightline for a subtle gradient
For sightly more verve, tightline your upper lash line after layering your liner. Do it, and you’ll end up with a wink of color and a subtle gradient. 😉
Look #3 (bold): Flicked-out edges with a kitten wing
This is my favorite way to wear colorful liner, and it’s the simple classic kitten. First, sketch along your upper lash line using your pencil, then flick out at the edge. How big and bold you go is up totally up to you.
Look #4 (bold): Glittery wings
Building on the previous kitten wing…pat a coordinating glitter on the outer half for some sparkle.
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Bebe says
August 8th, 2019 at 8:47 amAmazing! You look stunning, love all the versions😍
What lippie are you wearing, works so well with your looks
Have a fantastic day
Karen says
August 8th, 2019 at 9:18 amHi Bebe,
I’m wearing Honest Beauty Liquid Lipstick in Happiness. Here’s another look at it!
Kimberly says
August 8th, 2019 at 4:23 pmI was wondering the same thing! Haha….
Bebe says
August 8th, 2019 at 8:51 amOh I forgot to ask about the very first eyeliner? Is it eyeshadow or what’s the name of this beautiful grey one?
THANKS Karen
Karen says
August 8th, 2019 at 9:19 amIt’s the same blue-green matte liner as in the other pics, believe it or not! It’s called Urban Decay Mainline, and I layered it underneath the Clinique Teddy Bear quad. 🙂
Cherry says
August 8th, 2019 at 9:44 amI love the idea of putting on the liner first then adding shadows over! I never realized how awesome the color Mainline is. Adding to cart!
Karen says
August 8th, 2019 at 10:45 amHi Cherry,
It’s a gem! I really like UD’s matte liners. I know they’re famous for their glitters, but the mattes are the underrated stars!
Stephanie Smith says
August 8th, 2019 at 11:16 amWhat great ideas! I hadn’t thought about these, I like the idea of a hint of color!
Karen says
August 8th, 2019 at 11:43 amI’m glad you feel a little inspired, Stephanie!
Jasmin says
August 8th, 2019 at 11:19 amThe blue one looks great on you! Kitten is definitely my favorite!
https://jasminlen.blogspot.com/
Jasmin
Karen says
August 8th, 2019 at 11:43 amThanks!
tracy says
August 8th, 2019 at 11:21 amColorful liner for life! I don’t even own black eyeliner. I have hooded asian eyes, so you don’t see a lot of the liner, but I always wing it out at the ends anyway. Also, brown eyes is a plus in this case, because you can wear any color with a neutral eye color!
Karen says
August 8th, 2019 at 11:43 amYes, colorful liner forever!
If you don’t have Urban Decay Mainline yet you need it in your life ASAP. Chaos is also a good one!
Karen says
August 8th, 2019 at 11:44 amP.S. What are your favorite colorful liners?
Rachel Runyan says
August 8th, 2019 at 2:37 pmI think I need to get Mainline! It looks fab! I have somewhat hooded eyes, so my colored liner is usually on the lower lash line. If I do it on top, usually that’s all that can be seen with my eye open. I love to do a colored wing liner, though.
Interesting technique of layering a neutral over the liner. I’d never thought of that.
Michele DiCola says
August 8th, 2019 at 4:04 pmYou look Mavelous Da ling !
I love colors too . I rocked green when the Eagles 🦅 went into the super bowl
And red I used for Christmas . But blue is one of my favorites.
Rock on Karen !
Suzanne C says
August 8th, 2019 at 4:25 pmI love that double-liner trick. Going to have to work on that one. I’m not the world’s best at tightlining.
Today I did my eyeliner and thought to myself, “Karen would be so proud!” I ventured into new territory for me: the tiniest of baby kitten wings.
Jennifer Osborn says
August 8th, 2019 at 6:05 pmSuch useful information. I’ve never thought of wearing colorful liner underneath a neutral shadow. Excellent!
Jennifer Osborn recently posted … Best Ever Starbucks Copycat S’mores Bars
Allison says
August 8th, 2019 at 6:08 pmWhenever I wear a green liner (like Mainline, which I have), I find it migrates down under my lower lash line, we I very much do not want. I’ve tried primer and setting spray alone and together and it hasn’t worked. Other colours (blues, purples, browns, black) don’t do this; any tips on getting greens to stay put?
Tatiana says
August 8th, 2019 at 9:13 pmHustle, Empire and Sabbath are my three favorite UD liner colors.
You look gorgeous in these photos. Your skin is glowing and I’m loving the lipstick color too!
Kim says
August 9th, 2019 at 11:40 amThese are all great looks! Like some other commenters, I was surprised by how layering a colorful liner under a neutral shadow gives such a subtle effect. Thanks for the tips!!! 🙂
Adriana RP says
August 14th, 2019 at 8:37 amLoved, loved, loved!!!! I always do the same basic half or full color kitten. I love colorful eyes, but I always finish on nude vibes. Let’s change!!!!