beauty

The sticky-tape trick gives you perfect winged eyeliner every time.

It’s true. Winged eyeliner looks deceptively simple.

That’s deceptively simple. Even for makeup experts, developing a technique that results in sharp wings as opposed to uneven, wonky, super-thick lines that look more Dame Edna Everage than Adele can take many hours of practice (and not even then).

Fortunately, there’s a hack for that.

eyeliner tape hack
Image: iStock
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Using sticky tape is a simple way to not only ensure you get even wings on both sides, as well as giving you more control over where you're drawing. Even better, it works just as well for little tiny flicks as it does Brigette Bardot-style thick lines.

Step one.

Take a piece of tape about five cm long and press it against your hand to take a little bit of the stickiness away. This means it will be less painful when you take it off your face later.

 

Step two.

Apply at the outer corner of your eye at the angle you want your wings to be.

Step three.

Take your eyeliner - I find a liquid felt tip pen gives both the blackest line and greatest control - and working outwards-in, use the edge of the tape to draw the line. Start of small and thin and add to it as you go. I love the Maybelline New York Master Precise Liquid Liner, $15.95, for its ahem, very precise, tip and pigmented colour.

Step four.

To complete your look, gently draw across the lash line right up to the inner corner of your eye. Finish off with lashings of mascara - I used Charlotte Tilbury Full Fat Lashes, $48.

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