Cat Eyes

How to do cat eyes – the classic eyeliner look simply explained

Cat eyes are one of the best-known eye make-up looks. They are characterised by a winged line that is extended beyond the outer corner of the eye. This makes the eyes look visually lifted, more defined and more expressive.

The cat-eye look can be done very subtly for everyday wear or strikingly for an evening make-up. What matters are the shape and length of the eyeliner wing.

What are cat eyes?

With cat eyes, the eyeliner is extended diagonally upwards at the outer corner of the eye. The shape is reminiscent of a cat's slightly upswept eyes – hence the name cat eye.

Eyeliner is at the heart of the look. Eyeshadow, mascara and false lashes can complement the result but are not strictly necessary.

Typical features of cat-eye make-up are:

• a clearly defined line,
• an eyeliner wing extended outwards,
• visually lifted outer corners,
• an elegant and expressive eye shape.

How do you do cat eyes?

An even cat-eye line takes a little practice. It is easiest if you draw the wing first and then connect it to the line along the lashes.

Step 1: Prepare the eyelid

First apply an eyeshadow base or a little translucent powder to the mobile lid. This helps the eyeliner adhere better and smudge less quickly.

Step 2: Determine the direction of the wing

Use the natural line of your lower lash line as a guide. Extend this imaginary line diagonally towards the outer end of your eyebrow.

The steeper the wing, the stronger the visual lifting effect.

Step 3: Draw the outer line

Draw a short, fine line upwards from the outer corner of the eye. It is better to start with a small wing – you can always extend it later.

Step 4: Connect the wing to the line

Now draw a line from the end of the wing back towards the lash line. This creates a small triangle, which you then fill in with eyeliner.

Step 5: Complete the line

Continue the line inwards along the upper lash line. At the inner corner of the eye, the line should be as fine as possible and become slightly wider towards the outside.

Step 6: Apply mascara

Finally, you can apply mascara to your lashes. The outer lashes in particular can be emphasised more to support the elongated shape of the cat eye.

Which eyeliner is suitable for cat eyes?

Which product is best suited depends on your experience and the result you want.

Eyeliner pen

A felt-tip or eyeliner pen can be guided precisely and is particularly suitable for beginners. The firm tip makes it easier to draw a clean line.

Liquid eyeliner

Liquid eyeliner creates particularly intense, sharp lines. However, it needs a steady hand and some practice.

Gel eyeliner

Gel eyeliner is applied with a fine or angled brush. It is well suited to precise wings and is usually a little easier to correct than liquid eyeliner.

Kohl or eyeshadow

For a softer cat-eye look, you can use kohl or dark eyeshadow. The line is then lightly blended. This creates a more subtle and less graphic result.

Which cat-eye variant suits which eye shape?

Cat eyes can basically be adapted to different eye shapes. However, the shape, length and angle of the wing should be chosen individually.

Hooded eyelids

With hooded eyelids, the eyeliner should ideally be sketched with the eye open. A line that is too thick can quickly disappear on the mobile lid. A short wing pointing slightly upwards often looks particularly harmonious.

Round eyes

A longer wing that runs more to the side can visually elongate round eyes. The line should be emphasised more towards the outside.

Almond-shaped eyes

Almond-shaped eyes are particularly well suited to classic cat eyes. The natural line of the eye can simply be extended outwards.

Downturned outer corners

Here the wing should not follow the natural, downward line. Instead, it is started a little earlier and deliberately directed upwards.

Close-set eyes

Do not start the line too dark at the inner corner of the eye. The emphasis should be mainly on the outer third of the eye.

Subtle cat eyes for everyday wear

Cat eyes do not always have to be dramatic. For a natural everyday look, a fine line with a short wing is enough.

Particularly subtle are:

• brown instead of black eyeliner,
• a very short wing,
• a fine line along the lash line,
• little or no additional eyeshadow,
• naturally defined lashes.

This variant defines the eyes without looking heavily made up.

Dramatic cat eyes for the evening

For a more intense evening make-up, the line can be drawn wider and longer. Dark eyeshadow, shimmering accents or false lashes enhance the effect.

A dramatic cat-eye look can be combined, for example, with:

• smokey eyes,
• metallic eyeshadow,
• glitter,
• strongly emphasised lashes,
• red or dark lipstick.

The rest of the make-up should suit the occasion and your personal style.

Cat eyes or fox eyes – what is the difference?

Cat eyes and fox eyes look similar at first glance, but differ in how they are done.

With the classic cat eye, it is mainly the outer corner of the eye that is emphasised by a winged eyeliner.

With the fox-eye look, the eye as a whole is elongated more strongly. Often the inner corner of the eye is also extended with a fine point. Eyeshadow and eyebrows are usually also directed more strongly outwards and upwards.

Cat eyes look classic and elegant, while fox eyes often appear more graphic and more strongly lifted.

Common mistakes with the cat-eye line

The wing points downwards

Do not just follow the upper eyelid. Instead, extend the line of the lower lash line slightly upwards.

The two sides look different

First mark the end of the wing on both eyes. Compare the angle and length before filling in the lines completely.

The line is too thick

Start with a fine line. You can always add more product, whereas a line that is too wide is harder to correct.

The eyeliner smudges

Use an eyeshadow base and let liquid eyeliner dry briefly. If your eyelids get oily quickly, translucent powder can also help.

There is a gap between the eyeliner and the lashes

Apply the line as close as possible to the upper lash line. You can carefully fill in small gaps with kohl or eyeliner.

Tips for even cat eyes

• Rest your elbow on a firm surface.
• Draw small strokes first instead of one continuous line.
• Make up both eyes step by step in parallel.
• Hold the mirror slightly below your face.
• Do not pull the eyelid outwards too much.
• Correct small mistakes with a cotton bud and make-up remover.
• If necessary, use tape or a special eyeliner stencil as a guide.

Frequently asked questions about cat eyes

Yes. A short, subtle wing is good for practising. The look is particularly easy with an eyeliner pen with a firm tip.

No. The look can be done with eyeliner and mascara alone. Eyeshadow is an optional addition.

Yes. It is important to sketch the shape with the eye open and not to make the line too wide.

A felt-tip eyeliner or eyeliner pen is usually particularly easy to control and is therefore well suited to first attempts.

An eyeshadow base, waterproof eyeliner and a little translucent powder can improve how long it lasts.

Conclusion

Cat eyes are a timeless make-up look in which the eyeliner is extended with a sweep at the outer corner of the eye. Depending on the length, colour and width of the line, the result can look natural, elegant or dramatic.

With good preparation, the right eyeliner and a little practice, the technique can be adapted to almost any eye shape