Dec 05, 2024

5 Tips for Getting Perfect Graphic Eyeliner Looks

The graphic eyeliner trend is an eye-catching, creative way to express yourself through makeup. Instead of a subtle line that serves to accentuate your eyelashes, graphic liner lets your liner creativity take center stage. With bold looks that are influenced by pop art and graphic design, graphic eyeliner lets you take your eye makeup game to the next level.

There are several looks you can do within the graphic eyeliner trend. From simple yet effective dotted lines to dramatic halo effects, we’ll show you how to apply graphic eyeliner and give you the tips you need for a flawless application every time.

1. Learn How to Apply Graphic Eyeliner

Graphic eyeliner is a dynamic and imaginative approach to applying eyeliner, characterized by its inventive and artistic nature. This trend revolves around using eyeliner as a canvas to craft bold and captivating designs directly on the eyelids. Unlike traditional eyeliner applications that focus on subtle enhancements, graphic eyeliner takes center stage by allowing you to explore unconventional techniques and create visually striking effects.

For each of the following simple graphic eyeliner looks, start by applying your base eyeshadow and primer. Choose your eyeliner color, pick a fine-tipped eyeliner pen or brush, and then get started with your look!

Dotted Lines

The Revlon ColorStay™ Liquid Eye Pens in Connect the Dots is perfect for creating dots along your lash line thanks to the ballpoint tip.

Start at the inner corner of your upper lash line and create a thin line.
Begin adding small dots along the line, spacing them evenly.
Continue the dotted line toward the outer corner of your eye.
Make sure the dots are consistent in size and spacing.

Floating Lines

For thick or thin, precise floating lines, try the Revlon ColorStay™ Liquid Eye Pens in Sharp Line with a tapered tip.

Start drawing a line slightly above your crease, following the natural curve of your eye. You can make the line as thick or thin as you like.
Extend the line towards the outer corner, creating a "floating" effect.
Optionally, create a winged effect on the end of the floating line by flicking the eyeliner upwards towards the tail of your eyebrow.

Color Ombre

The Revlon ColorStay Skinny™ Liquid Liner in Navy Shock is a colorful twist on your favorite liquid liner, perfect to pair with a lighter shade for this look.

Choose two complementary eyeliner colors: one lighter and one darker.
Start with the lighter color and create a thin line along your upper lash line.
Switch to the darker color and draw a line above the lighter one, slightly thicker.
Blend the two colors together where they meet using a small brush or your fingertip.

Crisp Lines

The ColorStay Micro™ Easy Precision Liquid Liner boasts a 0.1mm micro tip, ideal for making clean, crisp lines.

For this look, start with liquid or gel eyeliner.
Starting from the inner corner, draw a clean, crisp line along your upper lash line.
Keep the line as close to the lash line as possible for a polished look.
Extend the line slightly past the outer corner for a subtle wing.

Criss Cross

For precise detailed liner application, try the ColorStay Skinny™ Liquid Liner with an ultra-fine tip for maximum control.

Draw a thin line along your upper lash line.
Starting from the end of the line, draw a short diagonal line extending upwards.
From the start of the first diagonal line, draw another diagonal line extending downwards across the first line.

Double Winged Eyeliner

For flawless wing application, try the ColorStay™ Liquid Eye Pens in Wing Line with an angled tip to help you craft your ideal wing.

Start at the inner corner and draw a thin line along your upper lash line.
Extend the line slightly past the outer corner to create the first wing.
From the outer corner, draw a second wing angled slightly upwards.
Connect the second wing to the first wing, leaving a small gap between them.

2. Accentuate Your Eye Shape

One of the best things about bold, graphic eyeliner is that it looks great with every eye shape. This versatile makeup trend can be tailored to suit various eye shapes. Try some of these styles based on your eye shape!

Almond-Shaped Eyes

Cat Eye with a Twist: Elevate the classic cat-eye by adding a twist to the wing. Instead of extending the wing upwards and outwards, try extending it diagonally towards the brow tail.

Negative Space Liner: Try playing with negative space by leaving parts of the eyelid bare in between lines or shapes created with eyeliner.

Hooded Eyes

Geometric Shapes: If you have hooded eyes, you have an amazing canvas for graphic eyeliner looks that involve geometric shapes. Create angular designs using sharp lines and shapes above the crease area.

Floating Liner: a trendy graphic eyeliner look for hooded eyes is the floating liner look. Apply a vibrant colored eyeliner above the crease, following the natural curve of the eye.

Cut Crease with a Twist: Hooded eyes can rock a modern take on the cut crease. Instead of emphasizing the traditional crease, draw a line slightly above it using eyeliner. This gives the eye shape more definition.

Round Eyes

Double Winged Liner: Apply a regular wing along the upper lash line, and then add a smaller wing along the lower lash line, mirroring the upper wing.

3. Choose the Right Eyeliner

You have lots of options when choosing the eyeliner you use for graphic eyeliner looks. With the right product, a professional-quality makeup look is achievable with a little practice and a lot of confidence.

4. Plan Out Your Look

There’s no limit to what you can do with graphic liner, so don’t be afraid to experiment. Look for inspiration– whether that’s from your favorite makeup brands, artists, fashionistas, or any place that might surprise you. You can go for simple graphic eyeliner looks or go as creative and wild as you feel comfortable going. You can stick with classic black, or choose a metallic shade, like those in the So Fierce!™ Chrome Ink Liquid Liner, ColorStay 2 in 1 Angled Kajal™ Eyeliner, or the ColorStay Line Creator™ Double Ended Liner lines.

5. Combine Your Products

If you’re not ready to go fully bold, or if you want to add an extra dimension to your creative eyeliner looks, you can combine your eyeliner techniques. This layered liner approach allows you to combine the creativity of graphic eyeliner with the elegance of a classic makeup look, giving you the flexibility to adapt your style to different occasions or moods.

Here are our best tips for layered liner. To begin, you’ll start with a simple line and build from there to a look that’s as subtle or bold as you desire.

Start with a Base Line: Begin with a thin, basic eyeliner line close to your lash line. This serves as a foundation for your layered design and ensures that your eye shape is defined.
Consider Line Thickness: Vary the thickness of the lines to add dimension. A thicker line close to the lashes can be layered with thinner lines or shapes above for a gradual transition.
Focus on Placement: Decide where you want to layer your eyeliner elements. You can layer above the crease, on the outer corners, or along the lower lash line, depending on the effect you're aiming for.
Blend with Shadows: Blend the edges of your eyeliner elements slightly with a matching eyeshadow color to soften any harsh lines and create a seamless transition between layers.

Applying Graphic Eyeliner Like A Pro

Once you choose your favorite eyeliner and follow the steps, there’s no end to the looks you can create. Find your inspiration and have some fun with your eyeliner looks. And while some looks flatter certain eye shapes, there are no rules about what you can and can’t do. All you need is creativity… and the right eyeliner! Finding the right product is important, so we encourage you to check out all of the eyeliner options we have to offer for your next graphic liner look.