If you’ve ever struggled to master a perfect winged eyeliner, then you need to read this advice from a professional make-up artist who has worked with A-list clients
Achieving the perfect winged eyeliner can be a daunting task for many, with shaky hands, hooded eyelids and less than perfect vision often leading to a smudgy look rather than a sharp flick.
That’s why we were thrilled to get some insider tips from Hannah Martin, make-up artist to royals, who has her very own beauty advent calendar this year in collaboration with OK! Beauty Box, retailing at £100 but boasting over £570 worth of products.
She shared her secrets: “One tip I learned from [acclaimed make-up artist and dame] Pat McGrath is to draw the line on first with a pale grey eyeshadow,” Hannah suggests. “You can tweak it until your heart’s content and then when you’re happy with how the wing looks, go over it with a black liner.”
For those looking to try this method, consider Laura Mercier Matte Eye Shadow in Plum Smoke, currently £20, or the brilliant grey Brow Pencil from Jones Road, priced at £22.
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Hannah also added, “I also realised that I just need to get over myself and use tape if I need to!” She explained, “If I really don’t know how to do a wing on a client’s eye shape, I just apply medical tape to the corners and use this as a guide. It takes three minutes, takes away all the stress.” Medical tape is available for a little over £1 at pharmacies like Boots or Superdrug.
With two stunning eyeliner pencils included in Hannah’s advent calendar, in both black and brown, and here are three more of our top eyeliner picks….
Lisa Eldridge Kitten Flick Liquid Eyeliner
£25 from Space NK
This comes highly recommended by another professional make-up artist, and is part of Lisa Eldridge’s own brand. “This isn’t the cheapest liquid liner, but it’s hands down the best I’ve ever tried,” says beauty editor Laura Mulley. “It has the finest nib that gets right into the lashes, and it draws on the smoothest, finest line, with no blobs or dragging.”
VIEVE Power Ink Liner in Midnight Black
£23 from Cult Beauty
This is another popular choice amongst MUAs and influencers alike, featuring a chunky handle that’s easy to grip and a felt tip-style nib that draws on a smooth sweep of pigment.
L’Orèal Paris Superliner Perfect Slim Eyeliner
£7.99 from Boots
This is an excellent high street option, and Laura particularly loves the brown version of this. “I especially like how this pen feels in your hand,” she says. “It’s fairly chunky, and won’t slip out of your hands.”
You’ll get exclusive access to more tips and tricks like this – plus a beauty treat every day in the lead up to Christmas – from Hannah when you buy her advent calendar, available while stocks last.
