How to Create a Half Cut Crease Eyeshadow Look

The cut crease is one of the most stunning eye makeup trends around. If you’ve ever wanted to show off your makeup skills, it’s safe to say a cut crease will do the job. Seriously—how can you not notice and fawn over precisely applied eyeshadow? If you’re as much of a fan of the cut crease as we are (and, if you’re here, we’d bet you are), you’re bound to fall in love with the half cut crease, too. What is it, you ask? Well, you’ll have to keep reading to find out—and learn how to create the look for yourself!

WHAT IS A HALF CUT CREASE?

So, what exactly is a half cut crease? Whereas a traditional cut crease involves expertly using eyeshadow and concealer to create a defined line along the entire crease of your eyelid, a half cut crease is a simpler option for beginners or those who prefer a little less definition. As you can probably guess, this technique involves creating a carved out crease on only half of your eye—the inner half—and then blending your crease color slightly onto the lid for a smoky effect. Consider it the best of both worlds for those who are torn between a cut crease and a smoky eye!

HOW TO CREATE A HALF CUT CREASE

Ready to give a half cut crease a try? Follow our step-by-step tutorial below.

STEP #1. PRIME YOUR EYES

As with any eye makeup look, it’s important to begin by applying eye primer. This will create an even canvas for the rest of the eye makeup that is to follow, not to mention, it will help your look last longer.

STEP #2. DEFINE YOUR CREASE

Grab a matte eyeshadow in a color that’s one to two shades darker than your skin tone, like the L’Oréal Paris Colour Riche Monos Eyeshadow in Matte It Up or Cafe Au Lait. Using a fluffy eyeshadow brush, sweep the shadow into your crease with windshield wiper motions to get subtle definition.

STEP #3. DEEPEN YOUR CREASE

Move your focus to the outer half of your crease. Using a fluffy brush, deepen this half with a shade that will be the darkest or brightest you use for the look. Blend the shadow slightly onto the outer half of your lid for a seamless transition.

STEP #4. CUT YOUR CREASE

Ready to carve out half of your crease? To do so, you’ll need a full-coverage concealer with a matte finish, like the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Full Wear Concealer Waterproof, Full Coverage. Use an angled brush to place concealer on the inner half of your lid, working your way to the middle. Don’t cover up the shadow in your crease. This will create a sharp “cut” on the inner half of your crease. On your lid, blend where the shadow and concealer meet in the middle to get rid of any harsh lines.

STEP #5. SET YOUR CONCEALER

Depending on the look you want to create, you can set your concealer with setting powder or a neutral eyeshadow shade, or you can press a shadow that offers a pop of shimmer on top. It’s totally up to you!

STEP #6. MAKE IT SMOKY

To bring your look full circle, take your deep crease color and drag it along your lower lash line with a small, flat eyeshadow brush. Gently smudge the shadow for a smoky effect.

STEP #7. LINE YOUR EYES

Of course, a half cut crease calls for a bit of liquid eyeliner! Use the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Flash Cat Eye Waterproof Brush Tip Liquid Eyeliner to draw your sharpest cat eye. If you want to brighten your eyes, you can also line your waterline with the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Pro-Last Waterproof, Up to 24HR Pencil Eyeliner in Nude.

STEP #8. LAYER ON MASCARA

One last step before you can show off your half cut crease: mascara! Swipe on a few coats of the L’Oréal Paris Bambi Eye Washable Mascara, Lasting Volume to finish the look. Voila!

Can’t get enough of the cut crease? Lucky for you, we have two more cut crease tutorials you should check out. Here’s How to Create a Negative Space Cut Crease and How to Create a Double Cut Crease.