Bold Eyeliner Techniques to Make Your Eyes Pop!

Eyeliner can completely transform your eyes, adding drama, definition, and personality to your makeup look. While a classic black winged eyeliner is timeless, there are countless bold techniques to try that will make your eyes stand out in the best possible way. Whether you’re looking for a sharp cat-eye, a sultry smudge, or something creative like graphic liner, bold eyeliner is a powerful tool to elevate your makeup routine.

We’ll dive into some of the best bold eyeliner techniques that will make your eyes pop, the perfect products to achieve these looks, and tips for selecting the right eyeliners for your skin type. Plus, I’ll share some recommended shopping platforms where you can find these products.

1. Classic Bold Cat Eye

A bold cat eye is a makeup classic that never goes out of style. It’s an elegant and dramatic eyeliner look that elongates the eyes, giving them a lifted, feline shape. To achieve a bold cat eye, you’ll need a precision eyeliner that’s easy to control, with a formula that won’t smudge.

Recommended Products:

• Fenty Beauty Flyliner Longwear Liquid Eyeliner
  Fenty’s liquid eyeliner has a fine-tipped precision brush, making it ideal for creating sharp, dramatic wings. The formula is smudge-resistant and long-lasting, so you won’t have to worry about reapplying throughout the day.
• Kat Von D Tattoo Liner
  Known for its smooth application and intense pigmentation, this eyeliner is great for creating bold, precise lines. It’s waterproof, which is perfect for creating a bold look that lasts all day or night.

How to Use:

1. Start by lining your upper lash line with a thin line, gradually thickening it as you approach the outer corner.
2. For the wing, draw an angled line from the outer corner of your eye, extending it upward and outward at about a 45-degree angle.
3. Once the wing is drawn, fill in the shape for a smooth, bold finish.

Best For:

All eye shapes. The cat-eye is particularly flattering for almond-shaped eyes, but it works for any eye shape with the right technique.

Where to Buy:

• Fenty Beauty Flyliner: Sephora
• Kat Von D Tattoo Liner: Sephora

2. Bold Graphic Liner

Graphic liner is all about creating geometric, artistic designs using eyeliner. From double lines to sharp angles, this is a fun, creative way to make your eyes pop and express your personality. It’s perfect for those who want to push the boundaries of traditional makeup and try something new.

Recommended Products:

• Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil
  These eyeliners are highly pigmented, glide on effortlessly, and come in a variety of bold colors. The twist-up formula makes them easy to apply and perfect for graphic eyeliner looks.
• NYX Professional Makeup Epic Wear Liner Stick
  This eyeliner is available in an array of vibrant shades and has exceptional staying power. Its creamy, glide-on formula makes it easy to create bold, graphic lines without any tugging.

How to Use:

1. Start with a clean eyelid and apply a thin layer of primer.
2. Use a colored pencil or liquid eyeliner to sketch out your desired shape. This could be a double line across the lid or a geometric design that goes across both the upper and lower lash lines.
3. Use a makeup brush to perfect the lines for a crisp, clean look.
4. Add a little highlighter to the inner corners of your eyes for extra drama.

Best For:

Those looking for a bold, creative statement. Perfect for making a unique impact at events or when experimenting with eye makeup.

Where to Buy:

• Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On: Urban Decay Website
• NYX Epic Wear Liner Stick: NYX Official Website

3. Double Liner Look

The double liner look involves using two contrasting eyeliner colors, typically one on the upper lash line and a different shade on the lower lash line. This bold look is perfect for those who want to add depth and creativity to their eyes, while still keeping the overall look sharp.

Recommended Products:

• Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner
  This liquid eyeliner has amazing staying power, and the precision felt-tip makes it perfect for creating thin lines or thicker, bolder lines. Available in several shades, including matte and shimmer.
• Maybelline New York Lasting Drama Waterproof Gel Pencil
  These gel pencils are creamy, pigmented, and perfect for creating smooth lines on the lower lash line. Plus, they come in a variety of bold colors for contrast.

How to Use:

1. Start with a bold line on the upper lash line, using a liquid eyeliner in your desired color.
2. For the lower lash line, use a contrasting color for a pop of contrast—bright shades like cobalt blue or bold green work beautifully.
3. Make sure the lower liner is slightly thinner than the upper liner for balance.

Best For:

Those who want a creative, multi-dimensional look. Great for brown and dark eyes, but can work for any eye color depending on the shades you choose.

Where to Buy:

• Stila Stay All Day Liquid Liner: Sephora
• Maybelline Drama Gel Liner: Boots

4. Smoky Bold Liner

A smoky bold liner adds a sultry and seductive vibe to your eyes, perfect for evening wear or when you want a more dramatic, edgy look. This technique blends eyeliner into eyeshadow, creating a smudged, smoky effect.

Recommended Products:

• Charlotte Tilbury Rock ‘n’ Kohl Eyeliner
  This creamy eyeliner pencil is great for a bold, smoky effect. It glides on smoothly and has excellent pigmentation, and it can be easily blended for a softer, smoky finish.
• NARS Larger Than Life Long-Wear Eyeliner
  Known for its long-wear formula, this eyeliner is perfect for smudging and creating that sultry, smoky look. It’s available in deep, rich shades ideal for evening looks.

How to Use:

1. Apply the eyeliner generously along the upper lash line and slightly below the lower lash line.
2. Use a small brush or your finger to gently smudge the liner out for a smoky, soft effect.
3. Layer a bit of dark eyeshadow on top of the liner for added depth and dimension.

Best For:

This is a bold look that’s especially flattering for deeper eye colors, like brown and green, but can be worn by anyone wanting a more dramatic makeup statement.

Where to Buy:

• Charlotte Tilbury Rock ‘n’ Kohl: Charlotte Tilbury Website
• NARS Larger Than Life Liner: NARS Cosmetics

5. Color Pop Liner

Colorful eyeliner is a fantastic way to infuse fun and vibrancy into your eye makeup look. Bold hues like electric blue, neon green, and fiery red can complement any eye color and add a pop of energy to your overall appearance.

Recommended Products:

• Make Up For Ever Artist Color Pencil
  These ultra-pigmented pencils come in a rainbow of vibrant colors and can be used both on the eyes and lips. The creamy formula makes application easy, and it stays put for hours.
• Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil (Electric Shades)
  For a pop of color that lasts all day, Urban Decay’s 24/7 glide-on pencils in bright, neon shades are a great pick. The soft, creamy formula is perfect for a bold, colorful liner look.

How to Use:

1. Start by applying a thin line of colored eyeliner along your upper lash line.
2. For an extra pop, you can also apply a thin line of color along your lower lash line.
3. Pair the bold eyeliner with minimal eyeshadow and a light lip color to let the liner take center stage.

Best For:

This bold eyeliner technique is perfect for those looking to make a statement or those with a fun, colorful style. It’s great for any eye shape and complements most skin tones.

Where to Buy:

• Make Up For Ever Artist Color Pencil: Make Up For Ever Website
• Urban Decay 24/7 Electric Liner: Sephora

Bold eyeliner techniques are a powerful way to make your eyes pop and add a creative flair to your makeup routine. Whether you prefer the classic cat-eye, a smoky bold liner, or something more daring like graphic or colored liner, these styles are perfect for making a statement. With the right eyeliner products, you can achieve all of these looks with ease and long-lasting results.

Remember, bold eyeliner is not just about technique—it’s about expressing yourself! So experiment with different shapes, colors, and products to find what makes you feel confident and beautiful. Happy lining!