How to Update the Classic Cat Eye

Soft, subtle updated cat eye

if you love the '60s mod look or are a cat eye makeup aficionado, you may be searching for ways to make an old style new again. Like the old saying goes, "There is more than one way to skin a cat." As torturous as that sounds, your makeup routine need not suffer from a lack of creativity and imagination. If you've never tried this favorite before because you prefer edgy to classic, think twice. Perfectly drawn on black liquid eyeliner isn't the only way to get beautiful feline eyes.

Things You'll Need

• Creme eyeliner or creamy eye pencil
• Optional matching powder eyeshadow
• Eyeshadow smudge brush
• Angled eyeliner brush
• Flesh tone eyeshadow
• Dark eyeshadow
• Kohl eyeliner
• Sparkly clear liquid eyeliner

Instructions

1. Smudge it. Use a creme eyeliner or a creamy eye pencil to draw your cat eye on as usual. Take an eyeshadow smudge brush and run it gently over your liner. Either leave it as is for a soft look, or use an angled eyeliner brush to press powder eyeshadow in the same color onto your lash line. This gives you subtle definition amidst the smoky effect.

2. 

   Use eyeshadow only. To get an unstructured, floating cat eye, apply a light eyeshadow all over lid from lash line to browbone. Contour the outer corners of your eyes with a dark eyeshadow, which you use to rim lower lash lines as well. See the diagram for how far past the outside of your eyes you can apply the eyeshadow. Do not extend too far out because this drags your eyes down instead of pulling them up. Blend upwards and outwards in the direction of your temples. You can use mascara, but do not line your eyes.

3. Reverse it. Do this by lining only the lower lash lines. Use a flesh tone shade on entire eyelid. Work a creamy pencil or eyeliner in the color of your choice into the outer corners of your bottom lash lines. Smudge the line diagonally upwards at the edges to give your eyes a lift. How far up you want to go is up to you, but the wing at the outer corner of your eyes should at least be evident.

4. Look to the ancient Egyptians for inspiration. Rim both top and bottom eyelids with a highly pigmented kohl eyeliner. Make sure the top and bottom liner meet at the outer corners. At the point where they merge, extend your eyeliner outwards in a straight line. Smudge the tip of the line for a more modern, less blunt, finish.

5. Wear it discreetly. Look for a clear liquid eyeliner containing the finest flecks of shimmer. Use it to line your eyes in the usual cat eye fashion, with the outer corners flicked upwards. Keep the line thin to give your eyes a subtle lift without the evident use of a product as when black liquid--or at least a more opaque--eyeliner is applied.

Tips & Warnings

• Always begin your eye makeup application with primer and foundation for color that stays on longer and does not crease nor smudge.

• For a classy, professional look, groom and define eyebrows.

Resources

• Related how-to on liquid eyeliner