There’s a reason this iconic makeup trend has been around for so long. It’s elegant, sexy, edgy, classic, chic and sultry all at the same time. Whether you pair it with a crisp Theory suit, a Simone leather jacket and ripped jeans or a sexy lingerie set – it’s hot! Here are six easy steps to create the perfect winged cat eye that is all your own. Remember, although this look appears to have been achieved in one clean swoop, that is not the case. Just take your time and practice.
Step 1: Starting with a bare, clean eyelid, smooth a sheer layer of eyelid primer from the lid all the way to your brow. Some primers come with a handy applicator. Otherwise, you can use a flat brush or your fingertips for a smooth, even application across the entire lid. Eyelid primer is essential as it keeps your eye makeup from creasing and it allows for the pigment of your shadow to really come through.
Step 2: Depending on what you’re most comfortable with, you can create a beautiful cat eye with either a felt tip eyeliner pen or a small angled brush and gel liner.
Starting at the inner corner, draw a thin line and take it all the way to the outer corner using small, steady strokes. You may want to gently pull your lid upward so that you can get as close to your lash line as possible. This will give you a base line to work with that follows the shape of your eye.
*Before you begin, practice drawing lines on the back of your hand by applying more/less pressure until you are familiar with how it affects the width. More pressure = wider strokes; Less pressure = thinner strokes.
Step 3: Tilt your head down slightly while looking straight into the mirror. Starting at the outer corner, draw a line that extends upward from your bottom lash line. Use the natural angle of your bottom lash line as a guide while you carefully draw the outside of the wing. For a natural look, extend just slightly past the top lash line.
Step 4: Repeat step 3 on your other eye to ensure that you are content with the position of the wing on both sides.
Step 5: Now from the top of the wing, gently draw a line inward and downward to join your top lash line – almost like an obtuse triangle.
Step 6: Finally, complete the look by filling in the blank space in the middle of the triangle. Add a coat or two of mascara and you’re ready to go!
Clara Isabella is a featured Fashion & Beauty contributor and a well known makeup artist who has been featured on Refinery29 and Touchpuppet, as well as on NBC’s Thread | NY. For more about her click here for her full bio and all of her articles! read more →
Let’s face it. As much as we love our makeup, sometimes spending $28 for lipstick seems rather unnecessary. Does a higher price tag really guarantee better quality? The fact is many drugstore products are made by the exact same manufacturers as high-priced department store brands. However, there are certain products that are worth splurging on.
When to Splurge:
If you’re ready to invest in new makeup, you should do so strategically. Great foundation, concealers and brushes are essential. Spending a little extra in these areas will actually save you money and time in the long run. Once you’ve incorporated these basics into your beauty routine, you’ll find you don’t need as much of your other makeup.
Foundation and Powder: Department store lines offer a superior selection of colors to match any skin tone. Whether you wear tinted moisturizer, liquid foundation or pressed powder, you need to find a color that precisely matches your skin tone. Top picks: Smashbox High Definition Healthy FX foundation – $38, Becca Cosmetics Fine Pressed Powder – $42, Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer – $42.
Concealer: Stealth and texture are two key words to remember when searching for the right concealer. Using concealer that is of poor quality will only bring attention to the imperfections or discolorations we’re trying to hide. Remember — Liquid concealers for light discolorations. Heavier stick concealer for darker spots. Creamy concealers for delicate skin such as under the eyes. Top picks: Cle de Peau Beaute Concealer – $70, Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage – $28, Yves Saint Laurent Touche Éclat – $37.
Brushes: I cannot stress this enough. Good brushes truly are a game changer. Try to look for brushes that are handmade with natural fibers. They will work better and last much longer. Cleaning your brushes once every 1-2 weeks (depending on how often they are used) will also help to extend the life of your brushes and keep them from collecting bacteria. Be gentle — wash with warm water and baby shampoo, then lay flat to air dry. Top Picks: MAC 190 Foundation Brush – $32, Bobbi Brown Concealer Brush – $25, Smashbox Crease Brush #10 – $28.
When to Save:
Although it ultimately boils down to personal preference, experts agree that there are plenty of products for which a high price tag is not synonymous high quality. When it comes to lipsticks, eyeliners and mascara, drugstore cosmetics perform equally as well as department-store brands.
Mascara: Since you’re supposed to replace your mascara every two to three months, buying your mascara from the drugstore is a smart move. When it comes to mascara, finding great formulas that are sold at the drugstore is a piece of cake. Top Picks: L’oreal Voluminous Mascara – $9, Maybelline Volum’ Express Falsies Flared – $8, Rimmel London Volume Flash Bold Curves Mascara in Black, $7.
Lipstick: Lipstick formulations are virtually the same at any price point. Since there are so many drugstore lipstick options out there, this might be one of those categories where it’s better to save. Of course, lipstick shades are subjective. However, when it comes to longevity, the brilliance of their pigments and the smoothness of their application, there are dozens of drugstore brands that earn a high score. Top Picks: Revlon ColorStay Soft & Smooth Lipcolor – $10, CoverGirl LipPerfection Lipcolor – $7, Sonia Kashuk Luxury Lipcolor – $8.
Eyeliner: One of the biggest challenges many women face is trying to find eyeliner that goes on and stays on without bleeding into the corners of your eyes. There are so many eyeliner options these days. Pencil liners are great for smudging (think smokey eye) while liquid liners stay on forever (ala the sexy cat eye). For under $10, you can find eyeliner that won’t smudge or disappear yet are easily removed with eye makeup remover. Top Picks: L’oreal Paris Infallible Eyeliner – $7, Rimmel London Soft Kohl Kajal Eye Pencil – $3, Maybelline New York Expert Eyes Twin Brow & Eye Pencils $3. read more →
“Apply Preparation-H to relieve puffy eyes.” “Tanning beds help to alleviate acne.” “Lighten up your elephant-skin elbows with lemon juice.” Huh? Who came up with this stuff? For every Aunt Edith who swears by these wacky old wives’ tales, there’s a makeup artist shaking his/her head in horror. Here are some nasty beauty rumors that are commonly spread and ways to save face by ditching them from your routine. So, pull your hair back and grab some cotton balls. It’s time to clean up these annoying makeup myths once and for all. (more…) read more →