The Makeup Box

How to Get the Perfect Cat-Eye with Powder Liner

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This is a tutorial for getting a softer, simpler cat eye liner look using powder rather than gel, pencil or liquid.

The benefits are that:

• powder is easier to control, especially if you’re new to eye liner
• if you make any mistakes you can rub it away easily
• you can go on light, and then build up intensity when you like the shape/angle
• you can use it dry for a softer look, or damp for something that looks more like liquid liner (be careful which shadows you use though. Not all work wet.)
• you can use pretty much ANY eye shadow or pigment of your choice, which means the color options are endless

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The application technique is actually the same as when you apply gel or cake liner with an angled brush.

The easiest brushes to use for this look are flat angled brushes. Wider/larger brush heads are actually easier for getting extended wings. Natural hair brushes also tend to work better than synthetic ones as they pick up more pigment.

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Step 1: After applying the rest of your eye makeup, dab the tip of your angled brush into black shadow or cake liner. I’m using it dry for a softer smokier line. You can dampen your brush to get an intense line if you’re using cake liners or loose pigments.

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Step 2: Use the LOWER LASHLINE AS THE GUIDING LINE for the angle of the brush.  I simply place the brush along the outer corners of the bottom lash line and then gently stroke the brush along that line. Extend inwards along the lower lash line. 

This step is key because it:

• helps you to make the angle of the flick more balanced on both eyes
• gives that gorgeous sweeping arc of liner when you close your eyes, as this follows your natural eye contour. 

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Step 2: Next, line your upper lash line. All you do is pick up more powder with your brush and tap off excess before placing it right at the base of the lashes and wiggling gently to “push” the pigment onto your skin. Then remove your brush, pick up more powder, and then place it along the next section of your lash line. Don’t try to stroke the brush all the way from one end of your eye to the other. This is MUCH easier and much more precise.

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Step 3: To get rid of a harsh angle between the flick and your upper lash line, place your brush along the flick and then stroke it inwards diagonally towards the center of your lid. This thickens up the line at the outer corners without ruining that beautiful angle.

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On rest of face:

Base: Dior Nude Foundation “021”

Setting Powder: MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural in “Medium”

Brow pencil: MAC “Taupe” Brow Pencil

Brow gel: MAC “Mink” Brow Set

Shadow Highlight: MAC “Young Venus” Extra Dimension Shadow on inner corners

Shadow: MAC “Sable” from outer corners in

Liner: Wet n Wild ColorIcon “Greed” Palette (matte black) as liner

Mascara: L’oreal Voluminous Carbon Black mascara

Blush: MAC “Da Bling” shadow

Lipstick: MAC “Up The Amp” Amplified Creme

Classic Pin-Up Look in Rose Tones (MAC Rose Light pigment with Rebel Lipstick)

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Step 1: Apply a soft bronze/brown along the outer half of the socket line (along the hollows), and along the outer half of the lower lashes. I used a medium brown from The Body Shop, but this is such a generic shade you can use one from anywhere.

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Step 2: Apply a soft sparkly pink on the lids. I used MAC Rose Light from the Strawberry Patch Crushed Metallic Pigment stack (Vera Collection). You can use MAC Swish or Da Bling for a similar shade in a less sparkly finish.

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Step 3: Use a black gel liner and draw in the outer flick parallel to the curve/angle of  your lower lash line.

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Step 4: Pull the liner from outside in diagonally, in an almost straight line until you hit the center of your lids. Then continue along the curve of your lash line to the inner corners.

Then apply a beige, yellow or white liner along the water line. This is a useful trick when wearing pink/peach/red tones on the lids, as it will minimize the “red-eye” effect and make your eyes look brighter. I used NARS Rue Bonaparte pencil.

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Step 5: I applied a very soft pink blush to the cheeks (MAC Pearlmatte Face Powder in Sunday Afternoon; use Well Dressed or any other soft pink if you don’t have access to this. I just happen to love it.)

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Step 6: Apply a deep purple/magenta liner (I used NYX Purple Rain pencil) very light to lips and fill in to get a sheer purplish base. Then fill in with a deep burgundy-rose lipstick like MAC Rebel.