25 Effortlessly Cool Ways to Wear Eyeliner (2024)

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Reviewed by

Contributing Writer and Makeup Artist

Brown Definition

While black may be the traditional choice, there's a softer neutral in town. Brown liner shades from almost-black espresso to warm mochas and beyond are taking over runways and vanity cases alike, stimulated by the mounting desire for more subtle definition.

Neon Flick

Neon eyeliner might not be the first thing that comes to mind, but after seeing this liner look, it's certainly something that will be fueling our creativity from here on out. To recreate this, use a liquid liner or a gel eyeliner with a slanted brush to ensure you get the perfect flick at the end. Notice how the eyeliner starts at the inner eye area and then picks back up at the outer lash line for an abstract feel that's very cool.

Multi-Colored Muse

Showcase your favorite liner colors by wearing different hues on the top and bottom of the eyes. Doing this gives you the ability to experiment with varying combinations of color and can make the eyes pop. If you want more of a vivid color payoff, go ahead and set the liner with a bright shadow color on top.

Red Stripe

Red eyeliner might be an unexpected color, yet it looks so good on the eyes and can instantly elevate any makeup composition. David Razzano used Kulfi Beauty Kajal Kohl Eyeliner in Tiger Queen to create this particular brick-red definition.

Bright Waterline

Using a white or flesh-toned eyeliner on the inner waterline can instantly brighten and help diminish the look of redness in the eyes. Applying a white eyeliner here is an excellent trick for anyone who overslept or had a late night and needs to look awake as soon as possible.

Kitten Eye

Connecting your top and bottom eyeliner with the tiniest flick on the outer corners gives a different spin on the classic winged liner style but can also be just as dramatic. For this look, you'll want to wear a long-lasting eyeliner pencil that has a creamy consistency so you can easily apply it to the top and bottom lash line.

Smoky, Smudged Frame

When eyeliner is used to frame the eye shape it's a great way to make your eyes pop, and this chocolate brown color looks beautiful on both the top and bottom lash line. Smudging the formula with a brush or your fingers adds a more dramatic effect if you want to dress up your eyeliner just a touch.

Stiletto Wing

Like a thin, stiletto heel, this wing isn't as thick as the usual shapes we see yet still adds enough drama to the eyes. The best way to get a thin line like this on the outer corners is to use a thin, angled eyeliner brush or liquid liner—Ilia Beauty's Clean Line Liquid Liner has a precise tip that can help with this. Applying the liner in an outward motion towards the end of the eye will help to create the right width.

Top Line

Applying eyeliner to just the top lash line helps to define the eye and also works well if eyeliner on the bottom is too much for you or tends to become smudged. This liner is just thick enough that it enhances the shape of Ayesha Curry's eyes and pairs well with the chosen eyeshadow colors.

Royal Blue

Waterline eyeliner looks can take on all forms of colors, and we love this royal blue version. Blue is a great shade to wear as a liner, seeing as a lot of people tend to shy away from a full-blown eyeshadow composition when just beginning to experiment with color. You can make the line as thin or thick as you want, and be sure to finish with a lot of your favorite mascara for thick, long lashes—we love how Lupita Nyong'o doubled down on the color here.

Two-Tone Gradient

Add the surprise of a second color to your standard black eyeliner by applying it under the bottom lashes for contrast. The blue gradient in the lower lash line and classic black liner work well together here.

Thick and Thin

Change the shape of your eyeliner between thick and thin by adding a packed line on the top of the eyes while keeping the bottom line light. Doing it this way adds definition all around but allows you to play with different widths and effectively alter the shape of your eyes.

Barely There Eyeliner

Eyeliner doesn't need to be that noticeable if you don't want it to be—you can apply the tiniest amount to define the eyes and call it a day. Applying a long-wearing gel eyeliner right in between the lashes will last through the day and into the night. This iteration proves that a little goes a long way when wearing a natural eye makeup look, and we're so here for it.

Graphic Wings

Beautifully applied, this blue eyeliner catches the light perfectly and can turn any regular makeup look into something spectacular. Try adding a precise line along your crease, with black liner where you'd put a regular wing, for a dimensional style that truly stands out. Water-activated eyeliners are a great option for executing looks like these.

Bright Line

Bold, fresh color mixed with a little sparkle on the eyelids is gorgeous, especially the bright peach tone pictured here. Apply your glitter shadow to the lids and up to the eyebrow, then finish by applying whatever liner color you want.

Tight Line

The pastel lilac eyeshadow might be the star of the show here, but the otherwise airy look is grounded by the subtle black tight line. Lining underneath the top eyelashes to create a very tight line defines the eyes just enough and is a natural approach to wearing eyeliner daily. If you can, wear a waterproof formula to ensure nothing runs or smudges throughout the day.

In and Out

The inner eye corners are just as important as the outer ones, and this look proves how lining throughout the entire waterline creates a stunning composition in no time. Paired with pink eyeshadow, the contrast between both colors is everything we hoped it would be.

Jaded

Green eyeliner graces the eyelids, and what could be better? While you might not be used to wearing green on your eyes, it's a lovely color that packs vivid pigment for any occasion.

Abstract Definition

The abstract liner look comes in all shapes and sizes, and this example of how you can turn your eyeliner into art is perfect for taking things to the next level. Applying eyeliner in subtle shapes brings a delicate balance and can help to make your eyes pop.

Iced Out

Silver eyeliner works for any occasion, and this winged liner style is perfect for any season as well. Whether you've got a special event to go to or are just feeling creative, wearing silver gives a whole new perspective to your makeup look.

Stacked Wings

Gugu Mbatha-Raw's doubled-up liner gives excellent definition to the eyes and enhances the outer corners beautifully. You can use a pencil or liquid eyeliner for this look, preferably one that stays put and doesn't smudge. Practice the shape a few times before your big debut to ensure everything is just right.

Feathered Wings

What's better than one epic eyeliner wing? Definitely two. While the trendy style can be difficult to recreate on hooded eyes or monolids, this feathery iteration on Ming Lee Simmons is superb.

Midas Touch

Details can make all the difference when creating new eyeliner looks. The addition of the golden crease here elevates an everyday approach to something much more special. Apply your eyeliner, let it dry, and then add the metallic pigment, embellishment, or tape as the finishing detail.

Bottom Line

Switch up your look by adding a colored liner to the bottom lashes, emphasizing the inner and outer corners. This blue is stunning along the bottom lashes, but you can use any color you feel comfortable with. Extend the liner out further than the edge of your eye to add just enough drama.

Crystallised Liner

This natural look may forgo the usual eyeliner tricks and techniques, using no classic liner at all, but it still delivers on the definition. This sparkly lash line was created with already pre-set face gems, but you can get your own and create your own design.