How to Do Winged Eyeliner
By Lamyaa Aissi · Professional Makeup Artist, Casablanca
Winged liner is the technique people say they 'can't do' more than any other. In truth nobody draws a perfect wing freehand in one stroke — professionals map, connect the dots, and clean the edges.
Follow the mapping method and your wings will match each other — the real challenge — every single time.
What you'll need
- A liquid pen, gel liner with an angled brush, or a dark shadow used wet
- A business card or tape as an optional guide
- Concealer on a flat brush for cleanup
Step 1: Find the angle
Imagine a line continuing from your lower lash line toward the tail of your brow. Mark the tip of the wing on that line with a tiny dot — closer for subtle, further for drama.
Step 2: Dot the lash line
Place two or three small dots along the upper lash line where the liner will run. Mapping first removes all the guesswork from the stroke.
Step 3: Connect the wing first
Draw from the wing tip back toward the mid-lid, resting your elbow on the table for stability. Then draw from the inner lash line outward to meet it. Two short strokes are steadier than one long one.
Step 4: Fill and thicken to taste
Fill the outlined shape, keeping the line thinnest at the inner corner and gradually thicker toward the wing.
Step 5: Check symmetry face-on
Look straight into the mirror, both eyes open. Adjust the higher or shallower wing to match its partner — symmetry is judged with open eyes, never one closed eye at a time.
Step 6: Sharpen with concealer
A flat brush with a whisper of concealer under the wing's lower edge creates that impossibly crisp line in seconds.
Pro tips from the chair
- On hooded eyes, draw the wing with eyes open and let the line follow where the skin folds — a 'batwing' shape that looks broken closed but perfect open.
- Set gel or pencil wings with a matching black shadow to stop midday transfer to the brow bone.
- Wobbly line? Rest the pen against the outer knuckle of your other hand as a living ruler.
Frequently asked questions
Pen, gel, or shadow — which is easiest?
Felt-tip pens give the sharpest line but punish shaky hands; gel with an angled brush is the most controllable for beginners; dark shadow applied with an angled brush is the most forgiving of all.
Why do my wings never match?
Because eyes themselves aren't symmetrical. Map both wing tips first, compare the dots with both eyes open, and only then draw — matching dots beats matching freehand strokes.
Learn it hands-on in Casablanca
Reading only gets you so far — technique clicks when someone corrects your hand in real time. I teach one-on-one makeup lessons in Casablanca tailored to your face, your kit, and your skill level, from 600 MAD. Or if you'd rather have it done for you, book a session for your next event.
More guides: all tutorials · the full smokey eye masterclass · bridal makeup tutorial.