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Perfecting the Art of Conversuasion

Geometric Eyeliner: Would You Wear It?

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Of course you wouldn’t. Because I promise you this: if you work anywhere other than Manhattan’s Garment District, and punch in at 9:00am looking like this:

Chances are, someone will ask if you applied your makeup while driving. Or drinking.

(But never while drinking and driving – #MADD)

The above photos were part of Elle’s Fall 2012 Beauty Preview (Images by Imaxtree) and featured runway looks from Altuzarra, Lanvin, Anna Sui, Giorgio Armani, Zac Posen and more. Now I’m all for a good ol’ fashioned wing tip, but this is cat’s eye gone wild. I fear that trying to emulate this look would get the tongues a’ wagging: “Nice eyeliner, Lena! (Snort.)” “Shhhh! She can hear you!” “I hope she does! She looks like an idiot!”

Of course, there is a VERY easy way to stay on trend without being mistaken for a brains-eating zombie.

#1. Learn to love liquid liner. A must for embracing the cat’s eye look, perfect your technique by practicing before the big event. Working with liquid liner takes time and patience… and a lot of eye makeup remover.

#2. Double Up. Perfectly sculpted cat’s eyes often use a combination of liquid and pencil eyeliners; the liquid dries and locks down the first layer of color. First, apply pencil to the upper lash line, thickening the line as you reach the outer corner. With a light touch, slightly angle up and away from your eyes with a winged tip. Follow up by retracing all but the outer corner with the liquid liner.

#3. Make Your Eyes Pop. Jump on the colour-blocking bandwagon by using a contrasting colour on your lower lash line, such as Aqua Blue (I used Make Up For Ever Aqua Eyes in Turquoise), Deep Purple or Emerald Green. Apply mascara to top and bottom lashes – I never do my bottom because it’s not my thing.

Et Voilà! A perfectly balanced, incredibly sexy cat’s eye that is both geometrically-inspired and wearable at the same time. Pair your runway eyes with a nude or pale pout, and you’re smokin’.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  5. Nicole W.

    I’m not brave enough! haha. Well, I might be, but I’m not that great at doing eye makeup (although I’m trying a lot more lately!) My friend is a great makeup artist, so perhaps I’ll get her to try one of these looks out on me! I usually wear a turquoise-y blue eyeliner on my lower lash line, like you did, which I really love because of the bright pop of colour. Your makeup looks fantastic – so cute!

    • Lena

      Thanks Nicole. Lucky to have a friend who is a makeup artist – I’d love to have one of those, LOL! And yes, try it! I’m sure it’ll look awesome on you :)

  9. Chrissy

    Looks great on you. You’ve got such magnificent eyes! Forgot to mention…LOVE your eyebrows!!! Seriously. Eyebrows are the first thing I notice. Perfectly groomed eyebrows are important to me. LOL! What do you use for your eyebrows and how do you groom yours? Wax? That little eyebrow shaver/trimmer/blade? Would love a “Lena Eyebrow grooming workshop”!

    • Lena

      Thanks Christine! Just good old fashioned Tweezerman for my eyebrows, with Cover Girl’s eyebrow pencil in dark brown :) I too have a “thing” for nice eyebrows – I feel my prettiest when my eyebrows are perfectly sculpted. Just a little plucking and eyebrow pencil, that’s all!

  11. Harjit

    Love dramatic eyes for a party or special outing ,not sure if I’m brave enough for dramatic colors or even double lines though

    • Lena

      Double lines are a bit much, I agree; but dramatic colours are easy to wear! Just remember to keep everything else neutral.

  12. Heather T

    Ok, you look stunning in that photo. The models..well…er. I don’t think I could get away with this on myself. I’m not adventurous in the least with my eye makeup!

    • Lena

      Thank you Heather. I’m adventurous with my eye makeup about twice a year, but when I do something different, I’m usually quite pleased :)

  13. Eva U

    Your application is great – doesn’t look ostentatious. I am not sure if it would be age appropriate for a 52 year old woman like myself – but hey trying new things. Always been conservative now I’m flying on my own two wings – ankle tatoo – upcoming lol. No not a midlife crisis – a midlife rebirth.

  16. Melanie S

    I don’t think I could ever pull this off, but it’s gorgeous to look at! I gotta disagree with you a teeny bit, AlexandraSD – I love the wild versions the models are wearing. It’s like art on your face! ; )

    • Lena

      I LOVE that you LOVE the wild versions! Like you said – art on your face. Maybe not suitable for the boardroom, but right at home on the runway!

      • Melanie S

        Or like Happy Chinadoll said – out at a club. ; )

        Haha, I’m still LOL’ing about YOLO! = )

        • Lena

          LOL what’s wrong with YOLO coming from a mom of two toddlers who hasn’t listened to hip hop in 10 years??? Hahaha

  17. Patti J.

    Wow! You did such a great job on your eye liner. I’ve never used liquid eye liner, only pencil and I’ve
    TRIED to do the cat’s eye thing, but only in a VERY modified, minimal way. I’m not sure if it’s the in thing to do for the over-50 crowd?

  18. Laurie B

    I think if I were able to apply it properly I might be able to pull it off for a look that suits me. It definitely suits you. I must say.. you look better then some of the celebs up top. :)

  20. Jenn

    I love eyeliner but I never knew about the trick with both the pencil and liquid ! Thank you I’m gunna try that! And I love the eyeliner on you it’s beautiful!

  22. Susan T.

    I admire women who can pull of the extreme eyeliner look but I am not one of them. Your look is much more wearable and crazy looking!