Winged Eyeliner Techniques
One line, one flick — draw the angle first and the wing behaves.
What is a winged eyeliner look? Eyeliner is the cosmetic used to define the eyes, and the winged eyeliner look is a retro makeup trend that has become a beauty staple. The concept is simple: you apply eyeliner to design a perfect winged line along your eye’s edge, creating an alluring or sultry look. Winged eye liner defines the shape of the top eyelid and extends to a point or ‘wing’ about halfway toward the end of the eyebrow. This page teaches the technique through two beginner-friendly tutorials and the angle-first method behind both.
Makeup Guides
Winged Eyeliner Video Tutorials
Smitha Deepak’s tutorial shows how to achieve the perfect winged eyeliner every single time, with a simple beginner-friendly technique that is easy to follow — the emphasis is on repeatability, not artistry. The Easy Winged Eyeliner Tutorial for Beginners covers the same ground at starter pace. Watch one, then practice the method below with the other as a cross-check.
The Angle-First Method
Draw the wing before the line. Aim a short diagonal stroke from the outer corner of the eye toward the tail of the eyebrow, stopping about halfway — the wing’s defining reach. Then draw from the tip of that stroke back down to the lash line, forming a small hollow triangle, and fill it in. Only then line the lash line itself, thin at the inner corner and thickening as it meets the wing. Drawing the angle first solves the two problems beginners actually have — wings that point in different directions, and wings discovered too late to be the wrong length — because the angle is set while there is still almost nothing on the eye to ruin. Check both wings with eyes open and facing the mirror straight on; a wing is worn open-eyed, so it is judged open-eyed.
Wing, Cat Eye, Fox: One Family
A cat eye looks similar to a winged liner, but it has a thicker wing that involves the bottom and the top lash line. Research cat’s eye eyeliner methods and Fox Eyeliner techniques once the wing is reliable: the cat eye thickens the wing and wraps the lower lash line, while the fox straightens the extension into a slanted, almond stretch. You will probably also want to learn about correcting eyeliner mistakes — every wing wearer needs the rescue techniques sooner or later, and knowing them makes practice fearless.
Common Questions
What is a winged eyeliner look?
Winged eye liner defines the shape of the top eyelid and extends to a point or wing about halfway toward the end of the eyebrow. The winged look is a retro makeup trend that has become a beauty staple: you apply eyeliner to design a perfect winged line along the eye's edge, creating an alluring or sultry result.
How is winged liner different from a cat eye?
A cat eye looks similar to a winged liner, but it has a thicker wing that involves the bottom and the top lash line. The winged liner lives on the top lid alone — one defined line and one flick — while the cat eye thickens that flick and ties the lower lash line into it.
Which tutorials teach winged eyeliner here?
Two videos: Smitha Deepak's tutorial on achieving the perfect winged eyeliner every single time with a simple, beginner-friendly technique, and an Easy Winged Eyeliner Tutorial for Beginners. Research the cat eye and fox eyeliner pages linked here as well — the three looks are one technique family.