Eyeliner trends made easy for all occasions

Applying eyeliner  can be incredibly tricky. Luckily, one of the biggest trends of the season is also really easy to pull off, even if you normally struggle with something like a cat flick.
EyelinerEyeliner
Eyeliner

Applying eyeliner well, can be incredibly tricky. Luckily, one of the biggest trends of the season is also really easy to pull off, even if you normally struggle with something like a cat flick.

The spring/summer catwalks were full of messy, imprecise make-up looks of eyes heavily ringed with kohl, but even if it is a fairly easy trend to recreate at home, smudging on a ton of black eye make-up is unlikely to work – there is method to the messiness. After all, you want to look chicly chaotic – not like you’ve just rolled out of bed. To get kohl’d eyes the cool-girl way, here’s what you need know...

The minimal approach...

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If you want a more low-key take on the trend, there’s a minimalist approach you can start with.

You will need a black kohl pencil, which is a make-up bag staple for most of us. “Thickly line the top lash line, keeping the liner the same thickness at every point in the shape... and avoid the ‘feline’ flick,” advises MAC global senior make-up artist Debbie Finnegan. Repeat along the bottom, and remember – this is about ringing the eyes, not creating a winged effect.

Finnegan recommends combining this with another massive look from the SS20 runways: the graphic trend. The make-up artist says: “I love to add extra personality to a liner by applying a shape, then removing a small section using a cotton tip and some eye make-up remover. This ‘negative space’ will add a non-conformist vibe and make your liner look very contemporary.”

Keep the rest of your face pared back to really make the black kohl pop – if you combine it with a bright lip, you risk taking the attention away from your eyes.

The smokey approach...

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An alternative to the graphic method is all about creating a modern smokey eye. “If liquid liner is your thing, try smudging out black kohl from the very corner of your eyes, using a small eyeshadow brush. This gives the idea of a flick, but will be softer and easier to achieve,” explains James Molloy, Rimmel’s make-up ambassador.

If you’re not confident, Molloy says: “Smudging an eye kohl through the lash line can give the most simple yet beautiful smokey eye – so don’t always think you have to be an eyeshadow expert to achieve a smokey effect.”

To level up this look, apply a subtle black shadow all around your eyes – nothing too panda-ish, but a modern take on the smokey eye..

What you’ll need...

Rimmel Soft Khol Kajal Eye Pencil in Jet Black, £2.99, Boots

Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Eye Pencil in Jet, £20

Rimmel WonderInk Liquid Eyeliner in Black, £6.99, Boots

Stila Magnificent Metals Glitter & Glow Liquid Eye Shadow in Molten Midnight, £24

Illamasqua Jewel Vinyl in Heavy Metal, £10.50 (was £15)