How to Do Winged Eyeliner with Pencil

Co-authored by Tymia Yvette

Last Updated: March 17, 2021 References

Winged eyeliner is a fun, casual look you can wear at school, work, or for a night out. It's easy to draw on wings with a pencil, as pencil eyeliner allows you a lot of control. Lay down the foundation by drawing along your lash line. Use your fingers and the pencil to create wings. Any smudges or smears can be cleared up with q-tips or concealer.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Lining Your Lid

1
Use eyelid primer. Before you begin the process of applying eyeliner, dab some primer onto your eyelids. Use your fingers to gently rub in the primer, blending it from your lash line up to your brow bone.^{[1]
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Expert Source

Tymia Yvette
Makeup & Lash Artist
Expert Interview. 22 April 2020.} This will make your eyeliner and any eyeshadow you use stand out more.
- Make sure to wash your hands before you apply your eyeliner.
2
Choose a creamier eyeliner. When selecting an eyeliner pencil, go for a creamier brand of eyeliner. In general, creamier and thicker eyeliners will more easily spread on your lash line.^{[2]
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- Opt for pencils that can be sharpened.
- Bigger pencils will create thicker lines, while smaller pencils will create smaller, finer lines.
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3
Start at the inner corner of your eye. Start applying eyeliner at the inner corner of your upper lash line. You do not want any visible space between the eyeliner and the lash line, so draw your eyeliner as close to the lash line as possible.
- Close your eye and pull the lid so it's straight. This will give you better control.^{[3]
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- Apply the eyeliner using short, overlapping strokes.
4
Thicken your line as you move outwards. You want your line to stretch all the way across your lash line. Use sideways, swiping motions to continue drawing your line along your lash line. As you're going to morph your line into wings, thicken the line as you go. It should get thicker as you move towards the outer corners of your eyes.^{[4]
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5
Direct your line towards where you want your wings to go. The line should move up and outward as it approaches the end of your eyelid. The wing will point towards the outer tip of your eyebrow. Use this as guidance as you draw your line.
- Again, start with a wiggling line and then reapply the eyeliner to thicken the line.
6
Reapply the color as necessary. Even after applying eyeliner carefully, you may have some gaps in color or spots where the line is uneven. You may have to draw over the line a few times. This is to fill in any gaps and get the line to your desired thickness. After drawing the first line or eyeliner along your lash line, fill it in as necessary.^{[5]
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- How thick you want the line is up to you. When reapplying the eyeliner, add eyeliner until it's at your desired thickness. Whatever thickness you go with, make sure the wing tapers in to a fine point at the end.
- Try using an angled brush and eye shadow in the same color as your eyeliner to blend and enhance the line.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Applying Your Wings

1
Draw three dots extending upward. Drawing dots along the corners of your eyes can help guide you as you make your wings. Draw three dots that extend upward. Remember, your wing should stretch out no farther than the tip of your eyebrow. A shorter line will look more natural, but a medium or long wing will look more dramatic.^{[6]
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Expert Source

Tymia Yvette
Makeup & Lash Artist
Expert Interview. 22 April 2020.} You should draw it so it runs along the invisible line between the end of your eyebrow and the outside corner of your eye.^{[7]
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- Draw one dot right next to the outer corner of your eye.
- Move your pencil upward and draw a third dot rest in the crease created by your eyelid.
- Draw a third dot that's parallel to the end of your eyebrow. It should be near your brow bone.
2
Draw a line through the dots. Take your brush and draw a line stretching through the dots. The line should start at the end of the eyeliner you applied to your lash line and end at the third dot. Go slowly to avoid smudging your eyeliner. When you're done, you should have a small line stretching out of the corners of your eyes.^{[8]
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3
Reconnect your line with your eyeliner. Draw another line from the third dot to around the middle part of your lash line. The line should slant into your lash-line, creating a triangle shape.^{[9]
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4
Fill in the triangle. Take your pencil and color in the triangle you created. When you're done, you should have a wing extending from the corner of your eye. Repeat with the other eye to complete your look.^{[10]
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Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Correcting Mistakes

1
Smooth out your line with a clean, small angled brush. Use the brush to shape your eyeliner, blotting out any uneven edges and pushing the line upward more. Use the brush tip to draw over the top of the line running along your lash line. Then, use the brush to outline your wings to smooth out any uneven edges.^{[11]
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2
Use q-tips to clean unwanted or smeared makeup. If you smeared your makeup at all during the process of applying eyeliner, grab a q-tip. Dip the q-tip in a small amount of makeup remover. Gently dab out the smeared portions with the tip of the q-tip.
- If your wings are asymmetrical, you can also use the q-tip to push them into more similar shapes.
3
Try a makeup removing pen. If you frequently apply eyeliner, try using a makeup removing pen. You can buy these at a local supermarket, drug store, or beauty store. These can easily be used to trace over unwanted smudges or uneven portions of your eyeliner. They can be particularly helpful if you're just starting to apply eyeliner, as you'll be prone to making mistakes.^{[12]
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- To remove your makeup gently, use a cotton swab or round and an oil-based eye makeup remover.^{[13]
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  Expert Source
  
  Tymia Yvette
  Makeup & Lash Artist
  Expert Interview. 22 April 2020.}

Expert Q&A

Question

How long should I make the wings when I'm doing winged eyeliner?

Tymia Yvette
Makeup & Lash Artist
Tymia Yvette is a Makeup and Lash Artist and the founder of Tymia Yvette Beauty LLC, a makeup artistry and lash extension company focused on customized beauty services based in Baltimore, Maryland. Trained by MAC Cosmetics, Tymia's work has been featured in the Bravo A-List Awards 2008, the BET Honors Award Show in 2011, 2012, and 2013, the Mercedes-Benz New York Fashion Week 2011, 2012, and 2013, and the White House Correspondent's Dinner in 2014. She has also provided makeup and lash services for the Betsy Royal Casting Agency and the Baltimore Raven's cheerleading squad from 2010 to 2012. Her clients include Terrence Howard, Torrey Smith, Lester Holt, Adrienne Lofton, and Natasha Hastings. She has been awarded WeddingWire's Couple's Choice Award in 2017, 2018, and 2019.

Tymia Yvette

Makeup & Lash Artist

Expert Answer

There's no specified length for winged liner. However, one rule of thumb to keep in mind is that shorter-length winged liner will look more natural, and medium or longer wings will look more dramatic.
Question

What kind of pencil?

Community Answer

An eye liner pencil. You can buy some at any drugstores such as Target, Walmart, etc.