29 Trendy Eyeliner Styles We Love—Plus, How To Nail Them Every Time

When it comes to eyeliner, many of us tend to opt for the same sharp wing or lightly-lined lids day in and day out. And while there’s nothing wrong with that—these eyeliner styles are classic for a reason—there are also plenty of other eye makeup styles worth experimenting with. Whether it’s simply swapping your trusty black liner for a more vivid hue or going all-in with a graphic eyeliner style, there is no shortage of ways to update your look with liner. Here, we’re sharing 29 eyeliner ideas we love—plus, details on how to recreate these fun looks at home.

Eyeliner Style #1: Classic Cat Eye

We’re starting this look off with a perennial favorite: the cat eye. Equal parts dramatic and romantic, a classic black cat eye is well-suited for a wide range of occasions, and it’s flattering on just about everyone. We suggest using a long-wearing liquid eyeliner like L’Oréal Paris Infallible Grip Precision Felt Waterproof Eyeliner for a clean, sharp wing (and if you need a little guidance on how to create that wing, we break it all down here).

Eyeliner Style #2: Sultry Smoky Eye

When you’re looking for an eyeliner idea for your next night out, try the sultry smoky eye. To create this evening-ready look, start by applying a thin layer of eye primer to your lid—it’ll help keep your liner in place. Then, line your upper and lower lash line with L’Oréal Paris Infallible Pro-Last Waterproof, Up to 24HR Pencil Eyeliner in Brown. Before the liner sets, use a small eyeshadow brush to apply a matte brown eyeshadow over your liner. Swipe the brush side to side in a windshield-wiper-like motion to blur any harsh lines and create a soft, smoky eyeliner effect that doesn’t require a ton of effort to nail.

Eyeliner Style #3: Smudged Eyeliner

It’s official: Grunge is back. Lean into the ‘90s aesthetic with smudgy black eyeliner—the lived-in look practically screams rock-and-roll. We love using L’Oréal Paris Infallible Grip Mechanical Gel Eyeliner in Intense Black for this, as the long-wearing pencil comes with a built-in smudger for a one-and-done look.

Eyeliner Style #4: Tightlined

Tightlining, sometimes referred to as invisible eyeliner, is a technique that involves applying eyeliner onto your waterline to create the illusion of thicker, more defined lashes. While there are a few different types of eyeliner you can use to create this look, we recommend using a waterproof pencil or gel liner for long-lasting wear. Tightline your eyes for a simple eyeliner style that defines your eyes, or use this technique to amplify your smudged liner look—either way, the results won’t disappoint.

Eyeliner Style #5: Teal Eyeliner

We’re loving blue eye makeup right now—it’s a fun way to add a bit of color to your everyday look. Experiment with the trend by swapping your go-to black liner for one in a vivid teal hue. We love the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Grip Mechanical Pencil Eyeliner in Turquoise for a bold and bright eye makeup moment.

Eyeliner Style #6: Nude Eyeliner

You may be familiar with the trick of using white eyeliner to make your eyes appear larger, but in our experience, pure white liner can look pretty stark. Instead, try defining your waterline with a nude liner, like L’Oréal Paris Infallible Grip Mechanical Gel Eyeliner in Bright Nude. The barely-there color can help make your eyes appear brighter and bigger without looking like you’re wearing any makeup at all—perfect for no-makeup makeup days.

Eyeliner Style #7: Colorful Cat Eye

Update your classic cat eye by reaching for a colorful eyeliner pencil rather than your everyday black or brown shade. There are tons of hues you can choose from—try a pastel shade for a softer, summery look, or opt for a jewel-toned liner for a sultrier look in the cooler months.

Eyeliner Style #8: Winged Eyeliner

Winged liner is a twist on the classic cat eye, with the wing extended toward the tail of your brow for a more dramatic, eye-catching (pun intended) effect. Because it requires a steady hand and an eye for symmetry, this eyeliner style is one that can take a bit of practice to perfect. We break down our best winged eyeliner tips to improve your technique in the article How To Create the Perfect Winged Eyeliner for Each Eye Shape.

Eyeliner Style #9: Dotted Cat Eye

Give your liner a pop art-inspired twist by dotting your liner onto your lid rather than drawing a line. We suggest using a fine-tipped liquid liner for this, as it’ll give you the most control over your dots. Try L’Oréal Paris Infallible The Super Slim Liquid Eyeliner in Black.

Eyeliner Style #10: Bright White

Earlier, we said white eyeliner can be stark, and that’s true. That bright contrast may not be ideal for a natural makeup look, but it’s great for when you want to experiment with a bolder look. Use an opaque white eyeliner pencil like L’Oréal Paris Infallible Grip Mechanical Gel Eyeliner in White to define your lower lash line, draw a classic wing, or create a graphic, avant-garde eyeliner style—let your creativity flow freely.

Eyeliner Style #11: Ombré Eyeliner

Ombré isn’t just for hair—you can use this color-melting technique to create a unique eyeliner look, too. Start by using a white eyeliner pencil to draw a line from your inner corner to the center of your lid. Then, line the outer half of your lid with a different color, like green. Finally, use a smudging brush to blend the two colors where they meet for a gradient effect that looks way more intricate than it actually is.

Eyeliner Style #12: Two-Toned Eyeliner

If you want the impact of a classic wing with the playfulness of a colorful liner look, try experimenting with two-toned liner. To create this simple eyeliner style, use black or brown eyeliner to create a classic wing on your upper lid, then line your lower waterline with a vibrant neon or jewel-toned liner.

Eyeliner Style #13: Colorblocked Eyeliner

Another fun way to experiment with multiple eyeliner colors at once is to use one shade to line the inner half of your lid and another to accentuate the outer half. Combine similar shades, like bronze and chocolate brown, for a softer effect, or pair contrasting colors like pink and green for a bold colorblocked eyeliner look fit for any festivities.

Eyeliner Style #14: Silver Underliner

Silver may not be the first color you’d think to use to line your eyes, but the metallic hue creates a reflective effect that’s edgy and downright cool. If you don’t have a silver liner on hand, you can use an angled eyeliner brush to line your lids with silver eyeshadow. We’re big fans of L’Oréal Paris Infallible Metallics Eye Shadow in Aluminum Foil—the pressed powder shadow creates a metallic foiled finish that lasts all day.

Eyeliner Style #15: Rose Gold

If you’d prefer a subtler foray into metallics, try your hand at rose gold eyeliner. The shade—a warm, inviting mash-up of light pink and gold—offers the reflectivity of bolder metallic hues, but with a softer, more wearable finish. Use a thin eyeliner brush to apply L’Oréal Paris Infallible Metallics Eye Shadow in Rose Chrome to your upper lash line from your inner corner to the outer corner. Skip the shadow and finish your look with a few swipes of mascara for a unique look that’s still wearable enough for every day.

Eyeliner Style #16: Double Wing

Embrace your experimental side with a double-winged look—it’s just as easy to create as a classic wing, but boasts a distinctly futuristic edge. There are a few ways you can create this trendy eyeliner style, but we recommend drawing creating one long wing first then creating a second, slightly shorter wing below it for a stacked effect.

Eyeliner Style #17: Inner Corner Wing

Most eyeliner puts the focus on the outer corner of your eyes—we think the inner corner deserves a little love, too. To create this unexpected look, use a fine-tipped liquid liner like L’Oréal Paris Infallible The Super Slim Liquid Eyeliner in Black to draw a thin wing at the inner corner of your eye, angling it toward the tip of your nose. Leave as-is, or mirror the inner corner wing with a thin wing at your outer corner for a trendy siren eye effect.

Eyeliner Style #18: Glitter Liner

As far as we’re concerned, nothing says “glam” like glitter. To create this party-ready look, draw a thick wing along your upper lash line with L’Oréal Paris Infallible Pro-Last Waterproof, Up to 24HR Pencil Eyeliner in Black. Once the liner dries down, trace over your line with glitter primer, then use an eyeshadow brush to pat loose glitter or shimmer over the wing. Finer-milled shimmer will yield a softer sparkle, while chunky glitter makes for a bold and ultra-festive look—choose whichever fits your vibe best.

Eyeliner Style #19: Shades of Purple

You don’t always need to spend time learning a new eyeliner technique to update your look—opting for a colorful eyeliner packs just as much of a punch. We’re particularly fond of majestic purple eyeliner, such as L’Oréal Paris Infallible Pro-Last Waterproof, Up to 24HR Pencil Eyeliner in Purple—the creamy, vivid color wears for up to 24 hours without smudging, and the deep lavender shade is honestly to die for.

Eyeliner Style #20: Negative Space Cut Crease

When you want to step up the drama, a negative space cut crease is the way to go. This unique look involves applying liner to your brow bone and drawing a line that follows the natural contour of your crease. With the lid left bare, the technique creates a negative space effect that’s graphic, but undeniably glam, too.

Eyeliner Style #21: Reverse Cat Eye

Instead of lining your upper lash line and creating the typical cat-eye flick at the outer corner, line only your lower lash line and create a wing at the inner corner of your eye. Then leave your upper lash line bare for an unexpected and totally trendy eyeliner look. To get this reverse eyeliner style, you’ll want to use a liquid eyeliner that has a precision brush, like L’Oréal Paris The Super Slim Liquid Eyeliner in Brown.

Eyeliner Style #22: Neon Orange Liner

We’ll admit that neon orange isn’t for the faint of heart. But don’t be intimidated by this bright hue—the vivid shade is more wearable than you’d expect. If you’re new to colorful liner, we recommend using an electric orange liner to draw a sharp wing on your upper lid and leaving the rest of your face bare. The contrast of the ultra-bold liner paired with otherwise understated makeup screams confidence—and the absence of other bold colors ensures your liner remains the focus.

Eyeliner Style #23: Puppy Liner

The latest viral Korean beauty trend surprisingly isn’t a skincare trend, but an eyeliner trend: puppy liner. This soft makeup look involves using pencil eyeliner to create a downturned wing at the outer corner of your eye for a subtle doe-eyed (or, rather, puppy-eyed) effect. We’re particularly fond of this look for those with hooded lids, as the downturned liner will remain visible when you open your eyes.

Eyeliner Style #24: Ruler-Straight Liner

Winged liner usually has a bit of a curve to it, but it doesn’t have to. Bend the (unspoken) rules by ditching your curved line for a pin-straight wing. The effect is understated and chic but with a distinctly rebellious edge.

Eyeliner Style #25: Barely-There Liner

Eyeliner doesn’t have to be ultra-bold to make a statement. For a two-minute eye makeup look that’s equal parts easy and pretty, use L’Oréal Paris Infallible Pro-Last Waterproof, Up to 24HR Pencil Eyeliner in Ivy to create a soft, smoked-out wing at the outer corner of your eye. Add a few coats of mascara to both your upper and lower lashes to visually open up your eyes and add definition without looking overly “done.” (If you need some recommendations in the mascara department, you can read up on our editors’ favorite formulas here).

Eyeliner Style #26: Floating Crease Eyeliner

For a simple eyeliner style that doesn’t skimp on the impact, skip tracing your upper lash line and draw a “floating” line directly above your crease instead. You can use any liner for this avant-garde look, but we’re particularly fond of how it looks when done in an unexpected hue. Try L’Oréal Paris Infallible Grip Mechanical Gel Liner in Blue Jersey for a subtle pop of color, or opt for Emerald Green for an electrifying modern liner look.

Eyeliner Style #27: Accent Liner

Minimalist meets maximalist with this unexpected look, which features black liner along the upper and lower lash lines and a bold, colorful liner accentuating the inner corners. You can opt for any color to accentuate your inner corners, but we think it’s the perfect opportunity to play with vibrant shades like turquoise or pink.

Eyeliner Style #28: Cherry Liner and Lashes

Red lips are a classic—red liner, on the other hand, is totally unexpected. Create this cherry-hued eye makeup look by using L’Oréal Paris Pro-Last Waterproof, Up to 24HR Pencil Eyeliner in Burgundy to line your upper and lower lash lines, buffing the color out with a smudging brush for a blended, smoky effect. Once your liner is set, complete your look with a coat or two of L’Oréal Paris Voluminous Original Washable Bold Eye Mascara in Deep Burgundy for a monochromatic look you’ll keep coming back to.

Eyeliner Style #29: ‘60s Mod Eyeliner

You know what they say: go big or go home. This ultra-bold look ultra achieves the former, by swapping a thin wing for a graphic, browbone-grazing winged shape that’d be right at home on a ‘60s stage. We recommend using pencil eyeliner to trace out your shape first, then filling it in and setting it with eyeshadow (use one in a shade that matches your liner for a seamless finish).

How To Nail Your Eyeliner Look Every Time

No matter which eyeliner style you opt for, there are a few things you can keep in mind when applying your liner to set yourself up for success:

• Keep your elbows supported while applying your eyeliner. This will help keep your hand steady and reduce the chances of your lines coming out uneven or shaky.
• If your eyeliner style requires precision, consider sketching the shape out with pencil eyeliner first.
• Mistakes happen (even if you’re a pro). Clean up any stray lines or imperfections by dipping an angled cotton swab into makeup remover, then gently rubbing it over the areas you’d like to sharpen up.
• You can turn eyeshadow into eyeliner by using a thin eyeliner brush dipped in shadow to apply shadow along your lash line.
• Avoid using wooden pencil eyeliners on your waterline—the tips are often too sharp. Instead, reach for a twist-up or mechanical gel liner.

Maintenance Tips for Long-Lasting Eyeliner Styles

Different eyeliner styles require different prep, but here are some basic tips to keep in mind to get the most mileage out of your look:

• Prep your lids with an eye makeup primer before applying makeup.
• Once completed, set your makeup with setting spray. We like L’Oréal Paris Infallible Pro-Spray and Set Make-Up Oil-Free Setting Spray.
• Opt for long-wearing, waterproof formulas if you’re prone to smudging.
• Use an eyeliner brush to apply eyeshadow or translucent powder over your liner to help it “set.”

Eyeliner Application Tips for Different Eye Shapes

Your eye shape may influence how you apply your eyeliner. Here are a few tips for a seamless application on different eye shapes:

Round Eyes: Give your eyes a more elongated, wide-open effect by opting for sharp wings, or emphasize your natural doe-eyed look by lining only your upper lash line. Avoid putting dark liner in your inner corners, as this can make your eyes appear smaller.

Almond Eyes: Use your ample lid space to experiment with graphic liner or explore negative space styles for a modern look. If you’re more of a traditionalist, cat eyes suit you—just keep the wing on the shorter side, for the most flattering effect.

Hooded Eyes: Use long-lasting waterproof eyeliner to help prevent your liner from smudging onto your lids or browbone when you blink. We love L’Oréal Paris Infallible Grip Precision Felt Waterproof Eyeliner.

Monolid Eyes: Lean into “floating liner” by applying eyeliner above your crease rather than on your lash line. You’ll get a cool, graphic look when your eyes are closed, but a more natural-looking liner look when they’re open.

Next Up: 9 Reasons Why Your Eyeliner Keeps Smearing

Photo Courtesy of L'Oréal Paris