Get Your Peepers Party-Ready With These 3 Liquid Eyeliner Styles
Jas is the former Senior Content Specialist at Adore Beauty. A beauty admirer turned certified addict, she brings a sharp editorial eye and pop-culture pulse to everything she creates. Her words have appeared in The Age, Sydney Morning Herald, and Broadsheet. When she’s not producing viral content or podcasting about skincare, you’ll find her thrifting for vintage treasures or binging Bravo (strictly for research, of course).
Among the many lessons life teaches us–changing a tire, doing your taxes, mastering parallel parking–none evoke the simultaneous anxiety and satisfaction quite like mastering the art of liquid eyeliner.
Sure, being the hero who rescues a flat tire has its perks (namely bragging rights, just ask my work wife Ally), but have you ever gracefully flicked liquid eyeliner into a flawless cat eye on your first go?
It’s a skill that says “I’ve got my life together”.
One that’s more than worthy of a prime spot on your CV, right between “Excel Spreadsheet wizard” and “Elite water cooler chat”.
While I wouldn't label myself an eyeliner pro, my journey, filled with trial and (let's be honest) mostly error, has taught me some valuable tips.
These insights have made wielding the mighty eyeliner a heck of a lot more manageable.
As we gear up for the festive season, I've created a handful of effortlessly chic eyeliner styles to elevate your gaze below.
Your Liquid Eyeliner Tool Kit.
Before we dive into our eyeliner looks, we’re going to assemble our beauty essentials.
Any black liquid liner will do, provided it has a fine tip for precise application.
If you need some suggestions, here are a few I’d recommend from bargain to bougie:
Keep cotton tips and micellar water on standby for quick fix-ups.
A concealer and precision brush are great for sharpening lines, too.
Hooded eyes? Our resident makeup artist and content queen Chloe demonstrates winged eyeliner below.
Extra tips for A+ application.
- Apply with confidence and speed to avoid wobbly lines.
- A spoolie is your best friend for sweeping away errors once your liner is dry.
- Create a gradient effect by applying setting spray on a clean brush when working with colour.
- Start drawing your lines from your eyebrow down/inward for smoother application.
- Stuck on the wing? Try the triangle method for a foolproof finish.
- Apply primer and/or concealer first before your eyeshadow to give your eyeliner a solid base to adhere to.
- For a more defined look, add white eyeliner to your waterline. The NYX Professional Makeup Jumbo Eye Pencil is great for this.
Fox Eyeliner.
If you’re after a dramatic yet versatile style perfect for everyday wear, may I suggest fox eyeliner.
The key distinction between fox and cat eyeliner lies in the placement of the outer corner line.
Fox eyeliner is designed to sit lower, elongating your eye shape for a more alluring, almond-like appearance.
Here’s how to master fox eyeliner:
1. Lightly draw a line extending outward from the outer edge of your upper lash line at a gentle angle, stopping at your preferred length.
2. Connect this line to your lower lash line, forming a sharp, triangular shape. Precision is key here, so take your time to create that crisp edge.
3. Begin at the inner corner of your eyes, slightly turning your head for a clear view. Extend a short line from your upper lash line toward the bridge of your nose. Then, connect this line to your lower lash line—don’t worry about perfection just yet; we’ll refine it in the next step.
4. With your outline set, fill in the space with your eyeliner. Use a cotton tip dipped in micellar water to tidy up any edges for a polished look.
5. Sharpen the edges with concealer for a clean finish. To make your eyes pop, apply a swipe of white eyeliner to your waterline.
Classic Cat Eyeliner.
If the foxxy look isn't your cup of tea (or if patience is in short supply), allow me to reintroduce you to the timeless classic: the cat eye.
This effortlessly chic style requires minimal effort but delivers maximum impact, accentuating your natural eye shape.
It's the cornerstone of countless eyeliner styles, leaving ample room for interpretation—whether you’re more of an Audrey Hepburn or Amy Winehouse in the beauty department.
Nail the cat eye, and you're well on your way to mastering a variety of eyeliner looks.
Here's your guide to perfecting this signature style:
1. Using a liquid liner, mark your starting point. With your head in a neutral position, confidently draw a line from the outer corner of your lash line up toward the tail end of your eyebrow.
2. Tilt your head slightly back for optimal precision. Draw a line from the outer edge of your eyeliner back toward your lash line. Land a few millimetres from your starting point—it's easier to begin small and gradually build the depth.
3. By this stage, a triangular shape should emerge. Fill in the blank space with your eyeliner, shaping the classic cat eye. This is your canvas; use the liner to extend across your lash line, adding depth for a bolder statement.
4. Use a cotton tip dipped in micellar water to erase any smudges or unintended deviations. Sharpen the edges with concealer on a precision brush for a razor-sharp finish.
Feeling adventures? Add a touch of colour!
Simply follow your existing cat eye shape with a line of coloured eyeliner or add a dab of colorful eyeshadow to the inner corner of your eye.
These easy yet effective techniques inject playfulness into any beauty look—perfect for parties, festivals and special occasions.
Graphic Eyeliner.
For those moments when your dress code calls for something extra, consider graphic eyeliner—a vibrant canvas for bright colours, playful shapes, and statement looks.
Inspired by the likes of Euphoria and icons like Doja Cat and Julia Fox, graphic liner is the perfect way to elevate your eye game and let your creativity run wild.
From simple line work to open wings, flames, metallics, and beyond, the possibilities are endless.
Here’s how I created my simple graphic eyeliner look:
1. Begin with the classic cat eyeliner using the steps outlined above.
2. Utilise your wing as a guide, extending a second line underneath toward your bottom lash line. Stop roughly halfway or align it with the endpoint of the upper lash line.
3. Soften the eyeliner on your bottom lash line using a cotton tip dipped in micellar water for a sharp finish.
Feeling fruity? Try a coloured graphic liner like mine below.
For this look, I opted for the NYX Professional Makeup Vivid Brights Eyeliner in 'Cobalt Crush'.
Its super-long wear and precision tip make it a treat to use.
Simply apply confident, singular strokes in your desired shape.
I started with a cat eye using the NYX eyeliner, extending it from the outer edge across my eye until I reached my crease.
A final swash of the NYX Professional Makeup Jumbo Eye Pencil in my waterline added a touch of brightness.
Alternatively, if you’re just wanting to dip your toes into graphic liner, you can experiment with eyeshadow.
Just spritz your brush with setting spray before dipping it into your chosen shadow for an extra pop.
Beauty writer and creator Amelia Singson shares three fun graphic eyeliner styles to try below.
Looking for more makeup looks and products to try? Check out these Beauty IQs:
