The Secret to Getting a Perfect Cat Eye Every Single Time—and 5 No-Fail Liners to Try
I distinctly remember the first time I committed to wearing a cat eye every day. I was in college and studying abroad in London at the fashion and design school Central Saint Martins, where—I kid you not—every inspiring person there sported one. What was so interesting to me was how they each interpreted the style (neon colors, multiple lines). It really made me believe the stereotype that New York women don’t have as much fun with their makeup as the Brits. And I wanted to be like them!
Up until that point, I’d attempted to try and do a cat eye but found it always looked misplaced on my face—either too heavy or as if I was trying too hard. I’m not really sure what changed, but that summer in London I picked up a few different eyeliners from local drugstore Boots (international beauty product heaven) to try and perfect the look.
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Three years later, I haven’t stopped. No matter what outfit I choose to wear or whether I’ve opted for a bright, bold lip (bullshit that you can’t have both), the cat eye remains on my lids upwards of 80 percent of the week. It’s my version of a no-fail staple. A cat eye instantly makes me look more awake and at once fashion-forward and classic—not many other beauty maneuvers can offer that combination. There’s a reason seminal beauties like Elizabeth Taylor as well as icons in the making like Alexa Chung are known for making the flicked-out eye their trademark.
Along the way, I’ve realized not every liner is perfectly suited to a cat eye, and it took me about three months to be able to effortlessly apply the look without wiping away half and starting over. (All the Internet memes out there can attest to this too.) Eventually, I came up with my foolproof secret: Sweep the liner up high and back down, creating an outline of the winged shape before going back to fill it in.
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Above, my five favorite liners I use regularly, so I strongly suggest checking them out if you’re ready to start sporting a cat eye—even once in a while.
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