Menu
Bat wing eyeliner is a trendy, versatile makeup look that you can easily wear to any special occasion or party, or turn into a totally glam Halloween showstopper with enough practice. The term “bat wing” refers to the shape of the finished look, which resembles the towering curve of a bat’s wing. Created by Katie Jane Hughes, a celebrity makeup artist, it’s best suited for people with droopy eyelids. For them, it can be difficult to achieve a traditional liner look as the wing can end up being buried in the crease. However, the distinct C-notch of the bat wing eyeliner really helps to carve out the wing and give droopy eyelids the appearance of a slightly raised cat eye.
Bat wing eyeliner accentuates the natural shape of the eyes and gives them a wide-eyed effect. Continue reading the article for an easy and comprehensive guide to bat wing eyeliner.
Bat wing eyeliner is a little different from traditional eyeliner styles you may be familiar with. It helps you create dramatic makeup or gothic makeup looks and is also perfect for Halloween makeup. Despite their similarities, there are some key differences between cat eye liner and bat wing liner. Unlike the straight line a cat eye liner makes from the outer to the inner corner of the eye, a bat wing liner twists and glides down from the crease in a C shape to meet the lash line.
It’s a bolder alternative to the standard liner look and is easier to apply on droopy lids than a cat eye. So if you want to master this unique technique, here’s a step-by-step guide for you to try.
Applying eyeshadow primer to your eyelids creates a smooth, even base for your gorgeous eyeliner look. It also helps maintain your eyeliner by preventing premature fading or smudging.
Set the primer with some loose translucent or compact powder. For best results, choose a powder that matches your skin tone. The powder will ensure that your eyeliner doesn’t smudge or migrate onto your eyelid or brow bone.
Draw a dotted line of the bat wing using an eyeliner pencil or use a firm angled eyeshadow brush in the same color as the intended eyeliner. Eyeliner pencils are more malleable and can easily glide across your lids. This will help you execute your vision accurately if you’re going for a creative Batman-inspired graphic wing.
Take your favorite eyeliner and draw thin, regular lines across your eyelid. By drawing only the outline, you leave less room for mistakes. Since the lines are thin, you can quickly correct mistakes and smudges without ruining the entire look.
Fill in the rest of the design once you’re done with the outline drawing. Don’t use too much product so the eyeliner doesn’t run.
Don’t worry if your eyeliner doesn’t look flawless right away. Use a cotton swab dipped in makeup remover or an eyeshadow brush with concealer to smooth out all the angles and create a clean and even finish. If you prefer a softer look, dip your eyeshadow brush in the same shade as the one you used to sketch and blend the C-notch into your crease.
However, using liquid eyeliner right away can be a little tricky. If you’re looking for a more hands-off approach but still aren’t sure exactly how to apply bat wing eyeliner, check out this beginner-friendly technique.