To create flawless cat eye makeup, you need something that will easily glide over your lid. That's why the best eyeliner for cat eyes is usually a liquid formula (which is also the trickiest kind of liner to master).
"You need so much concentration," says Bailey. "There was a time when all Katy [Perry] wanted was a cat eye, and I was so rushed but had to do them perfectly -- I needed to come up with something else." Now, he uses CoverGirl Liquiline Blast Eyeliner, $6.15, an extra-creamy pencil that lets him draw a perfect cat eye quickly. If you're more confident in your makeup freehand skills, Stapleton recommends an angled brush and a pot of cream liner. Or, check out our favorite liquid eyeliner markers for every type of cat eye.
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Know Your Shape to Get Great Cat Eye Makeup
The best way to determine the right cat eye shape is to start drawing, making sure to follow the natural curve of your eyes. But, "if you have downturned eyes you'll have to fake it a little," Bailey explains. Instead of following the curve of the top lid, imagine how the bottom lid would extend upwards and draw that line.
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Line Your Way to Flawless Cat Eye Makeup
Stapleton suggests starting your cat eye makeup by resting the brush (or pencil) on your lashes in the inner corner of the eye. Gently drag it across, letting the line become slightly thicker as you go, until you get to the end of your lashes. Then stop.
"Then, start the tail in the opposite direction, with the tip of the brush facing your temple, and draw until you connect the two lines," he says. Either leave the cat eye thin and pointy or thicken it up by adding more layers of liner to the shape.
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Ensure Perfectly Even Cat Eye Makeup
If you work with your eyes open looking straight into the mirror, you'll easily be able to make the cat eye makeup even on both sides from the get-go, says Stapleton. Remember, it's always easier to add more liner than take it off. If you make a mistake, use a Q-tip dipped in makeup remover to get rid of any stray marks or feathering.
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Exaggerate Cat Eye Makeup with Lashes
Now that your liner is set, you can take your cat eye makeup to glamorous new levels by turning your attention to your lashes. While a few coats of black mascara will do the trick, Bailey suggests using a full strip of false lashes to enhance the cat eye wing even more. Apply them along your lashline from the inside out, but separate them from your real lashes at the outer corners. "This turns the eyes up even more," he says. And the trick is surprisingly subtle. The space (of about a millimeter) will be invisible because it's filled with liner, and when you apply mascara the lashes will all blend together.
Cat eye makeup is arguably one of the hardest beauty looks to create -- for eyeliner novices and pros alike. That's because a flawless cat eye requires razor-sharp precision to pull off symmetrical feline flicks.
Few makeup looks are as classic and sultry as the cat eye. So, while we sometimes feel like throwing our eyeliner at the mirror in frustration, we persevere. Cat eye makeup elongates the eyes, helps us look more awake, and even draws attention away from tired, puffy eyes -- all of which makes mastering the tricky art of cat eye makeup a worthwhile endeavor.
To that end, we've enlisted the help of celebrity makeup artist Jake Bailey -- the man behind cat eye makeup queen Katy Perry's perfectly lined lids -- and M.A.C. Cosmetics Senior Artist John Stapleton to share their top tips for upping your cat eye game.
