From Minimal to Major Drama: 10 Eyeliner Looks to Copy ASAP

Your Ultimate Eyeliner Mood Board Has Arrived

1. Retro Cool Eyeliner

Leave it to Lucy Boynton to serve up the ultimate retro eyeliner inspo. This look features a floating, slightly graphic crease line paired with minimal shadow for that ’60s French cinema vibe. To recreate, grab a long-wear gel eyeliner and a fine angled brush. Start your line just above your natural crease, following your eye shape. Keep your base fresh and dewy so the liner stays the star. 

2. Barely There Winged Eyeliner

Think “no-makeup makeup,” but make it eyeliner. Hailey Bieber’s super-thin brown liquid line elongates the eye without screaming “I’m wearing eyeliner!” Use a dark brown liquid liner and start at the outer corner, flicking out just slightly. Keep the line as close to your lashes as possible. 

3. Smokeshow Glam Eyeliner

Zendaya’s bold, smoky eyeliner is the ultimate night-out moment. Start with a creamy black kohl pencil and line your upper and lower lash lines, smudging with a small brush for that sultry, diffused finish. Pair with glowy skin and a glossy nude lip to balance the drama.

4. The Elevated Cat-Eye Liner

We couldn’t make this list without a cat eye, and Selena Gomez’s take mixes sharp precision with soft smokiness. Use a jet-black liquid liner to create the wing, then blend a dark eyeshadow into the outer corner to soften the edges. The result: lifted eyes and all-day wear.

5. Mod Moment Eyeliner

This quirky, vintage-inspired shape seen on actress Isabela Merced is easier to recreate than it looks. Using a smoky gray pencil liner, draw a curved “C” shape above your lid, tracing your natural eye contour. No need to fill it in—negative space is part of the charm. Finish with volumizing mascara for that full-on ’60s mod effect.

6. Shimmer & Shine Eyeliner

Want to channel Meghann Fahy and have your eyes be the main event? Start by tightlining both your upper and lower waterlines with a black waterproof pencil. Then, dab a metallic cream shadow in gold or silver onto the inner corners and lower lash line. This catches the light in the most flattering way—perfect for date night or holiday parties.

7. Double the Eyeliner Drama

Megan Thee Stallion knows that two wings are better than one. Draw your classic cat eye with liquid liner, then add a second wing starting from the outer lower lash line, mirroring the angle of the first. Tip: For razor sharp edges, lay down a piece of tape right below where you want the wing to go to help guide your drawing. 

8. Pop of Color Eyeliner Look

Colored eyeliner is having a moment, and burgundy (seen here on model Candice Swanepoel) is one of our fave shades. It’s perfect for blue or hazel eyes, but if you have brown eyes, swap in navy, cobalt, or teal. Apply your black wing first, then smudge a colored pencil liner along the lower lash line and waterline, then blend for a smokier finish.

9. Chocolate Smudged Eyeliner Wing

This smoky, chocolate-brown wing is giving seriously cool-girl elegance. To get the look, press a deep chocolate pencil liner close to your upper lash line, then use a dense smudger brush to blur the edge into a soft wing. Finish with a touch of bronzed shadow to warm the look. Pair it with dewy cheeks and a glossed pink lip (like Helena Christensen’s)—and you’ve got a vibe that’s casual yet runway-ready.

10. Navy & Peach Eyeliner Combo

We couldn’t finish off this list without something from the iconic Donni Davy, aka the makeup artist behind Euphoria’s incredible looks. For this dreamy vibe on model Adison Justis, start by tightlining your lower waterline with a navy pencil, then pack a soft peach shimmer shadow across the lid for a gorgeous and unexpected color combo.

How to Perfect Your Eyeliner Application

Over time, we’ve picked up a few game-changing tricks that make eyeliner way less stressful. Keep scrolling for our favorite tips to get that line just right.

1. Keep Your Hands Steady

Rest your elbow on a flat surface and anchor your pinky on your cheek while applying liner—instant stability. If you’re still shaky, try short, controlled strokes instead of one long line. A mirror angled slightly upward (so you’re looking down into it) makes it easier to get close to your lash line without pulling at your skin.

2. Pick the Formula That Works for You

Pencil liners are perfect for beginners or smudgy, lived-in looks. Gel liners offer bold pigment with more playtime before they set, and liquid liners are your go-to for crisp, graphic shapes and wings.

3. Fix Mistakes Like a Pro

Instead of starting over, dip an angled eyeliner brush into a bit of micellar water and clean up the edges. You can also apply concealer along the edge of your wing to sharpen it instantly.

4. Keep Your Tools in Top Shape

A dull pencil liner can drag on your lid, so be sure to keep it smooth with a good sharpener. If you’re a gel-pot liner fan, a fine-tipped brush will give you that precise application every time.