Celebrity Makeup Artists Share This Year’s Best Eyeliner Tips, Trends and Tools

Graphic Liner

What it is: Think twisted lines and intricate shapes that act as detailed doodles, floating creases and fine architectural lines, says celebrity makeup artist Ermahn Ospina.

Expert tip: “Start by applying your liner in a traditional way, but the key to this technique involves going successfully outside of all lines, creating new shapes and forms, and giving dimension to your eyes,” says Ospina. “I love seeing how people are being so creative with makeup.”

One to try: twenty/twenty Beauty Double Duty Precise Liner ($22)

Reverse Liner

What it is: This trend involves applying liner to the bottom lash line to create a dramatic, eye-popping look.

Expert tip: Use a bold black liner to create a cat-eye that is thin on the inner corner and gets thicker toward the outer corner. Next, use a lighter, chromatic shade on the inner part of the eye right above the black liner and along the inner bottom lash line,” advises celebrity makeup artist Etienne Ortega.

One to try: Deck of Scarlet Dual Drama Liquid Eyeliner in Interstellar ($28)

Vivid Hues

What they are: Liners that can add a pop of fun color. “Right now, people are being super expressive with liners and the range of colors on their eyes,” says celebrity makeup artist Katie Jane Hughes. “Anything goes in 2021.”

Expert tip: “Apply a little bit first and then keep building,” recommends Hughes. “Don’t overcommit. It’s easier to add than take away.”

One to try: Ciaté London Edna Mode Gel Eyeliner in Intense Aqua ($19)

Blurred Lines

What it is: With a slanted eyeliner brush, diffuse a precisely placed line of a brown or muted tone liner, giving the eyes a more naturally lined look.

 Expert tip: “Using a pencil, start from the outside corner of the lash line going inward, making sure you are applying it between the lash hairs. Draw up to the middle or inside corner of the eye,” says Ospina. “Go over the line using a liner or eyeshadow brush with an eyeshadow that matches.”

Two to try: Kulfi Beauty Underlined Kajal Liner in Terracotta ($20); LUXIE Beauty 219 Eyeliner Brush ($14)

Inner Corner Pop

What it is: Just as it sounds, Mally Roncal, makeup artist and founder of her eponymous brand, says the trend toward wider and brighter eyes can be achieved by illuminating the corners with a bright shimmer to reflect the light.

Expert tip: “Instead of lining your eyes from the inner corner all the way out, start with a gel liner right just inside the middle of the eye. That will give you that longer-looking eye, but it won’t be so extreme that it makes the eye look more closed. Top it off by adding brightness with a shimmery eye shadow or a brightener in the inside corners to open up the eye for a younger look,” she adds.

Two to try: Mally Beauty Evercolor Gel Waterproof Liner ($19); Thrive Causemetics Brilliant Eye Brightener ($24)

Magnetic Liner

What it is: Magnetic liquid liners use magnetic particles to help adhere false lashes to the lash line, which can be worn as a full strip or shortened and placed on the ends for a glamorous flick

Expert tip: “It’s so simple,” says celebrity makeup artist Sandy Linter. “You apply it like an eyeliner and the magnetic strip allows you to apply lashes over top. There are felt- tip versions that dispense glue, and then liners that go on like a liquid liner and have magnetic elements in their formulas. With these types of liners, practice makes perfect, and doing a few test-runs at home before you wear them out is highly recommended.”

One to try: MoxieLash Magnetic Liquid Eyeliner ($45)