The Ultimate Guide to Eyeliner Techniques: Cat Eyes, Smokey Eyes, and More (2025)

eyeliner techniques

The Ultimate Guide to Eyeliner Techniques: Cat Eyes, Smokey Eyes, and More (2025)

July 11, 2025

Overview

Unlock the secrets to captivating eye looks with our Ultimate Guide to Eyeliner Techniques! Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned makeup enthusiast, this comprehensive guide provides step-by-step tutorials and expert tips to master classic styles like the cat eye and smokey eye, alongside trending techniques and helpful product recommendations. Explore a range of eyeliners, from pencils to gels and liquids, and learn how to tailor your eyeliner application to your eye shape for a flawless finish every time. Discover how to create stunning eye makeup looks that enhance your natural beauty and express your unique style. This guide includes the latest eyeliner trends, product recommendations, and techniques that are sure to elevate your makeup game.

Magdalena Fazekas

In this guide

The Best Eyeliner Products for 2025

Our picks

The Best Cat Eye Technique for Winged Perfection: 24/7 Glide-On Eyeliner Pencil, $23.00

The Ultimate Smokey Eye Guide for Dramatic Looks: ROCK 'N' KOHL - FIG SMOULDER, $32.00

The Best Eyeliner for Every Eye Shape: Idôle Ultra Precise Liner, $25.00

The Most Trending Eyeliner Styles of 2025: COLORGRAPH Eyeliner by Valentino Beauty, $30.00

The Best Eyeliner Products for 2025: Our Top Picks: Lines Liberated Eyeliner, $36.00

The Best Tools and Tips for Flawless Eyeliner Application: Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eye Liner, $24.00

The Best Eyeliner Products for 2025

Our top picks for pencils, gels, liquids, and more, with expert reviews.

Killer Liner Gel Eyeliner

$13.00

Need a liner that lasts through anything? Too Faced's Killer Liner glides on effortlessly, offering a sharp, defined look that stays put for a full 36 hours. Perfect for mastering any eyeliner technique, this waterproof gel formula ensures your eye makeup is flawless from morning coffee to late-night events. Get ready to slay all day (and night!) with this must-have beauty essential.

Sephora logo

$13.00

at Sephora


ROCK 'N' KOHL - FIG SMOULDER

$32.00

Unleash your inner rockstar with Charlotte Tilbury's revamped Rock 'N' Kohl eyeliner! The ultra-creamy, kajal formula glides on effortlessly, delivering intense color that lasts up to 28 hours. This pencil is a dream for achieving various eyeliner styles, from a subtle smokey eye to a dramatic cat-eye, all thanks to the built-in smudger tip.


Chocolate Kiss Gel Eyeliner

$21.00

Conquer any eyeliner look with a gel that refuses to budge! This waterproof, smudge-proof formula lasts all day and night, making it ideal for mastering those cat eyes and smokey styles. Apply effortlessly with your favorite brush – it's allergy-tested, paraben-free, cruelty-free, and made in the USA for peace of mind.


COLORGRAPH Eyeliner by Valentino Beauty

$30.00

Elevate your eyeliner game with a touch of luxury! This Valentino Beauty COLORGRAPH EYELINER in "Blue Niagara Shimmer" adds a mesmerizing, shimmering dimension to any eye look. Brand new and ready to create stunning effects, it's the perfect statement piece for mastering this year's hottest eyeliner trends. Snag this exclusive find and instantly transform your eyes from ordinary to extraordinary.


Idôle Ultra Precise Liner

$25.00

Conquer any eyeliner look with the Idôle Ultra Precise Waterproof Liner! This game-changer boasts an ultra-precise felt tip and vibrant pigments for effortless, one-stroke application, even for beginners. Achieve everything from a subtle everyday line to a dramatic cat eye, all with 24-hour waterproof wear. Get ready to elevate your eye game!


Nefertari Egyptian Eyeliner

$29.99

Channel your inner Cleopatra with this authentic Egyptian eyeliner! Nefertari's 100% natural powder eyeliner, crafted with ancient techniques, offers a truly unique look. Made with frankincense gum and olive oil, it's lead-free, gentle on sensitive eyes, and boasts incredible longevity—even overnight! Experience the beauty secrets of the pharaohs with this luxurious, all-natural formula.


Lines Liberated Eyeliner

$36.00

Conquer any eyeliner look with this versatile, waterproof hybrid. LINES LIBERATED delivers intense pigment in a creamy, smudge-proof formula that lasts 24 hours. Its dual-ended design with an angled brush allows for effortless blending, making it perfect for crafting both defined wings and sultry smokey eyes, all with lasting comfort.


Master Pigment Pro Eyeliner Pencil

$26.00

For those seeking dramatic definition, look no further than this intensely pigmented pencil. Achieve a bold, long-lasting line with ease, perfect for mastering any eyeliner technique, from a sharp cat eye to a smoldering smokey eye. It's a must-have for anyone ready to elevate their eye makeup game. Grab yours today!


24H Drama Liqui-Pencil Eyeliner

$26.00

Master the art of the perfect wing! This innovative hybrid eyeliner glides on effortlessly, delivering intense, dramatic color with a single, powerful stroke. Its waterproof formula ensures your look stays flawless for a full 24 hours, making it a must-have for mastering any eyeliner technique, from the classic cat eye to a sultry smokey eye.


Le Stylo Waterproof Eyeliner Pencil

$28.00

Master every eyeliner technique with ease using this creamy, waterproof pencil. Designed for effortless application, it glides seamlessly along your lash line and waterline, perfect for creating everything from a sharp cat eye to a smudged smokey look. Achieve long-lasting, professional-looking results without any fuss!


STYLO YEUX WATERPROOF

$35.00

Elevate your eyeliner game with this luxurious, long-lasting essential. Glide on intense color that stays put through any technique, from a classic cat eye to a smoldering smoky look. This beauty investment delivers both impeccable definition and unmatched staying power for a flawless finish that lasts all day (and night!).


Epic Ink Eyeliner

$10.00

Level up your eyeliner game with this precision brush tip liquid liner! Effortlessly create flawless cat eyes and dramatic looks with its waterproof, smudge-proof formula. Available in 15 epic shades, including stunning matte, glitter, and metallic finishes, this long-lasting liner delivers intense pigment and endless artistry for any technique explored in our guide.


Double Take Eyeliner

$26.00

Level up your eyeliner game with this vegan, dual-ended wonder! Featuring both a liquid and gel formula, it's your secret weapon for achieving any look, from crisp cat eyes to smoky, smudged perfection. At this price, the versatility and impact of this best-seller make it an investment in flawless, show-stopping eyes, guaranteed to turn heads.


PermaGel Ultra Glide Eye Pencil

$29.00

Master any eyeliner look with this high-pigment, ultra-glide pencil! Perfect for creating the sharpest cat eyes or the sultriest smoky effects, it boasts 16-hour waterproof wear that won't smudge or transfer. Infused with innovative PermaLock Technology, this must-have delivers intense color and effortless application for flawless results, every time.


Satin Kajal Liner

$34.00

Elevate your eyeliner game with this luxurious kajal liner, designed for the modern artist. Featuring a high-performance, smudge-proof formula and sophisticated colors, it glides on effortlessly for dramatic, long-lasting definition. Whether you prefer a crisp cat eye or a lived-in smokey look, this liner delivers unparalleled versatility and eye-calming comfort.


Kat Von D Tattoo Liner

$21.99

Achieve your most defined eye looks yet with Kat Von D's Tattoo Liner. This iconic, waterproof liquid liner offers full coverage and all-day wear without smudging or fading, making it ideal for mastering any eyeliner technique. The precise tube applicator ensures effortless control, letting you create everything from a subtle wing to a dramatic cat-eye with ease.


Maybelline Master Precise Ink Metallic Liquid Liner

$10.99

Elevate your eyeliner game with a touch of cosmic shimmer! Maybelline's Master Precise Ink in Black Comet delivers a metallic, smudge-proof finish, perfect for achieving those sharp lines and defined wings showcased in our guide. This budget-friendly liquid liner from Walgreens is your secret weapon for a striking, long-lasting look, ready to take your artistry to the next level.


ILIA Clean Line Gel Liner (Dusk)

$26.00

For flawless eyeliner looks, ILIA's Clean Line Gel Liner is a must-have. This softly-tipped gel eyeliner glides on effortlessly, allowing you to blend for a diffused smokey eye before setting for all-day wear. Highly pigmented, water-resistant, and formulated without harsh ingredients, this vegan and cruelty-free liner offers the precision of a pencil with the ease of a gel.


Costa Riche Eye Kohl

$24.00

Elevate your eye game with this luxurious coffee bean brown kohl pencil. Achieving those stunning liner looks showcased in our guide is effortless with this ultra-smooth, intensely pigmented formula. At $2400, this indulgence delivers unparalleled precision and lasting wear, making it the ultimate tool for creating any look, from a classic cat eye to a smoldering smokey.


Perfect Strokes Matte Liquid Liner

$21.00

Crafting the perfect cat-eye or smoky eye has never been easier. This liquid liner boasts a unique brush made of 800 vegan bristles, ensuring effortless application and ultra-precise lines that stay put. Enjoy long-lasting, intensely black definition that will elevate any eyeliner look, making it a must-have for your 2025 beauty kit.


EYE-DENTIFY Gel Pencil Eyeliner by Haus Laboratories

$19.00

Unleash your inner artist with Haus Laboratories' EYE-DENTIFY Gel Pencil Eyeliner. This creamy, sharpenable pencil glides on effortlessly, offering vibrant, all-day wear for any look, from a classic wing to bold graphic designs. With a rich, matte burnt terracotta shade like "Sculpture" and a no-slip formula, it's easy to create a statement that lasts.


Crushliner Stylo by Yves Saint Laurent

$32.00

Achieve a show-stopping cat eye or perfect your smokey eye with ease! This retractable, waterproof liner delivers ultra-intense color in a single stroke, lasting up to 24 hours. Infused with pomegranate extract, its creamy formula glides on smoothly, offering all-day comfort and smudge-resistant wear for any eye look you desire.


Kohl Eyeliner Pencil

$25.00

Achieve any eyeliner look with this indispensable kohl pencil. Its creamy, smooth formula glides on effortlessly, perfect for crafting crisp cat eyes or smudging into sultry smoky effects. This vegan and cruelty-free liner is your secret weapon for bold lines, easy blending, and even enhancing your waterline for captivating eyes.


24/7 Glide-On Eyeliner Pencil

$23.00

Elevate your eyeliner game with a touch of luxe! This waterproof pencil, shimmering in gold with a dazzling micro-sparkle, is the perfect accessory for any eye look. Effortlessly glide on the color for a long-lasting, show-stopping finish. Create dramatic cat eyes or add a subtle shimmer to your smokey eye – the possibilities are endless.


Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eye Liner

$24.00

Achieve eyeliner perfection with this award-winning liquid liner! Its fine-tipped applicator makes precise lines a breeze, whether you're a cat-eye newbie or a smokey eye pro. This waterproof, smudge-proof formula glides on effortlessly and lasts all day (and night!) for a beautifully defined look that truly lasts.

Topics

eyeliner techniques
cat eye
smokey eye
eyeliner tutorial
eye makeup
best eyeliners
makeup guide
eye makeup looks

Share

More Guides

Latest Articles