Mastering the Cat Eye: A Step-by-Step Guide for Round Eyes
The cat eye is a classic makeup look that exudes confidence and sophistication. However, achieving the perfect cat eye, especially if you have round eyes, can sometimes feel like a daunting task. Round eyes, with their equal width and height and a visible crease, require a slightly different approach to enhance their natural beauty and avoid making them appear smaller or more closed off. This comprehensive guide will walk you through a step-by-step process, providing tips and tricks specifically tailored for round eyes, ensuring you achieve a flawless and flattering cat eye every time.
## Understanding Round Eyes: The Key to a Flattering Cat Eye
Before diving into the application process, it’s crucial to understand the characteristics of round eyes. This understanding will help you adapt the traditional cat eye technique to best suit your eye shape.
* **Equal Width and Height:** Round eyes are characterized by having approximately the same width and height.
* **Visible Crease:** The crease of the eyelid is typically visible when the eyes are open.
* **White of the Eye Visible:** You can often see more of the white of the eye (sclera) around the iris compared to other eye shapes, giving them a bright and open appearance.
When creating a cat eye for round eyes, the goal is to elongate the eye shape, create a lifting effect, and add definition without closing off the eye or making it appear smaller. A few things to avoid are:
* **Thick, Heavy Liner:** Can make the eyes appear smaller and more closed off.
* **Downward-Angled Wings:** Can drag the eyes down and make them look droopy.
* **Connecting the Liner to the Inner Corner:** Can further emphasize the roundness and make the eyes appear less elongated.
## Essential Tools and Products
To achieve a professional-looking cat eye, you’ll need the right tools and products. Here’s a list of essentials:
* **Eyeliner:** This is the star of the show. You have several options, each with its own pros and cons:
* **Liquid Liner:** Offers the most precise and defined lines. Best for experienced users due to its unforgiving nature. Look for a fine-tipped brush or felt-tip applicator. Waterproof or smudge-proof formulas are highly recommended for long-lasting wear.
* **Gel Liner:** Provides rich color and long-lasting wear. Requires a separate eyeliner brush (angled or fine-tipped). Offers more control than liquid liner but still requires practice.
* **Pencil Liner:** The most forgiving option, ideal for beginners. Can be easily smudged for a softer look or layered for more intensity. Look for a creamy, blendable formula. Sharpen the pencil to a fine point for precise application.
* **Eyeliner Pen:** A great option as a beginner-friendly liquid eyeliner alternative. Felt tip creates a sharp and defined wing.
* **Eyeliner Brush (for Gel Liner):** An angled or fine-tipped brush provides control and precision when applying gel liner. Synthetic bristles are preferred.
* **Eyelash Curler:** Curling your lashes before applying eyeliner helps to open up the eyes and create a more dramatic effect.
* **Mascara:** Completes the look by adding volume and length to your lashes.
* **Eyeshadow (Optional):** Neutral eyeshadows can be used to create a base and add dimension to the eyes. Light shimmer shades can be applied to the inner corner to brighten the eyes.
* **Concealer and Angled Brush:** For cleaning up any mistakes and creating a sharp, defined wing.
* **Makeup Remover:** Essential for correcting mistakes and removing your makeup at the end of the day. Micellar water or makeup remover wipes are convenient options.
* **Cotton Swabs:** Useful for cleaning up smudges and refining the liner.
* **Mirror:** A well-lit mirror is essential for precise application.
## Step-by-Step Guide: Creating the Perfect Cat Eye for Round Eyes
Now, let’s get to the step-by-step guide. Remember, practice makes perfect, so don’t be discouraged if you don’t get it right on the first try.
**Step 1: Prepare Your Eyelids**
* Start with a clean, dry eyelid. Remove any excess oil or makeup residue.
* Apply an eyeshadow primer to create a smooth base and prevent creasing. This will also help your eyeliner last longer.
* Optional: Apply a neutral eyeshadow all over the lid to even out the skin tone.
**Step 2: Create a Guide (The Anchor)**
This step is crucial for achieving a symmetrical wing. There are a few ways to create a guide:
* **Using the Outer Corner of Your Eye:** Imagine a line extending upwards from the outer corner of your lower lash line towards the end of your eyebrow. This line will be the angle of your wing. Use your eyeliner to create a small dot or dash along this line, about 1/4 to 1/2 inch away from the outer corner of your eye. This dot will serve as your anchor point. Make sure to create the same anchor on both eyes. Compare both eyes and make sure they are relatively even.
* **Using a piece of Tape:** Place a small piece of tape at the desired angle, extending upwards from the outer corner of your eye. This will create a clean, sharp line. Be sure to place the tape at the same angle on both eyes.
* **Using a Business Card or Credit Card:** Hold the edge of a business card or credit card at the desired angle, extending upwards from the outer corner of your eye. Use the edge as a guide for your eyeliner.
**Step 3: Draw the Wing**
* Using your eyeliner, connect the anchor point to the outer corner of your upper lash line. Create a thin, even line. The thinner the line, the more natural the cat eye will look. For round eyes, it’s best to keep the wing relatively short and angled upwards to create a lifting effect. Avoid creating a long, dramatic wing that extends too far beyond the outer corner of your eye, as this can make your eyes appear droopy. Start thin, you can always add more. It’s harder to take away.
* The angle of the wing is crucial. Aim for a 45-degree angle or slightly higher to lift and elongate the eyes. Avoid a downward angle, which can drag the eyes down.
* If you’re using liquid or gel liner, apply light pressure and use short, controlled strokes to create a smooth, even line. If you’re using pencil liner, make sure the pencil is sharp and use a light hand to avoid dragging the skin.
**Step 4: Connect the Wing to Your Lash Line**
* This is where you connect the wing to the rest of your lash line. Start at the midpoint of your upper lash line (approximately above your pupil) and draw a thin line towards the base of the wing. Gradually thicken the line as you approach the wing. This will create a seamless transition from the lash line to the wing.
* For round eyes, it’s best to avoid connecting the liner all the way to the inner corner of your eye. Starting the liner at the midpoint of the lash line will help to elongate the eyes and prevent them from appearing too closed off. If you apply eyeliner to your inner corner, you are accentuating the roundness. By not connecting, you are drawing attention to the outer portion of the eye, therefore creating a more elongated look.
* Keep the line as close to your lash line as possible. Use small, controlled strokes to create a smooth, even line. Avoid creating gaps between the liner and your lashes.
* The thickness of the line is also important. For round eyes, a slightly thicker line at the outer corner of the eye can help to balance the roundness and create a more elongated shape. However, avoid making the line too thick, as this can make your eyes appear smaller.
**Step 5: Fill in Any Gaps**
* Carefully fill in any gaps between the wing and your lash line. Use small, controlled strokes to ensure a smooth, even finish.
* Pay attention to the inner corner of the wing. Make sure it is sharp and defined. Use a cotton swab dipped in makeup remover to clean up any smudges or unevenness.
**Step 6: Clean Up and Refine**
* This is where you perfect your cat eye. Use a cotton swab dipped in makeup remover to clean up any smudges or unevenness.
* Use a concealer and an angled brush to sharpen the wing and create a crisp, clean line. Apply the concealer along the bottom edge of the wing and blend it outwards towards your skin.
* If you’re using tape as a guide, carefully remove the tape. This will reveal a clean, sharp line.
**Step 7: Repeat on the Other Eye**
* Repeat the process on the other eye. It’s important to take your time and be patient. Achieving symmetry can be challenging, so don’t be discouraged if it takes a few tries.
* Make sure the wing length, thickness and angle are relatively the same on both eyes. Compare your eyes closely and adjust accordingly.
**Step 8: Curl Your Lashes and Apply Mascara**
* Curl your lashes to open up your eyes and create a more dramatic effect.
* Apply two to three coats of mascara to your upper lashes. Focus on the outer lashes to enhance the cat eye effect.
* You can also apply a light coat of mascara to your lower lashes, but be careful not to overdo it. Too much mascara on the lower lashes can make your eyes appear droopy.
**Step 9: Optional: Add Eyeshadow**
* Eyeshadow can add dimension and depth to your cat eye look.
* Apply a light shimmer shade to the inner corner of your eye to brighten the eyes and make them appear more open.
* Apply a medium-toned eyeshadow to the crease of your eye to add depth and definition.
* You can also use a dark eyeshadow to smudge along the lower lash line to create a smoky effect.
## Tips and Tricks for Round Eyes
* **Focus on Elongation:** The key to a flattering cat eye for round eyes is to focus on elongating the eye shape. Avoid creating a thick, heavy line that can close off the eyes.
* **Keep the Wing Short and Angled Upwards:** A short, angled wing will lift the eyes and create a more elongated shape. Avoid a long, dramatic wing that extends too far beyond the outer corner of your eye, as this can make your eyes appear droopy.
* **Start the Liner at the Midpoint of Your Lash Line:** Avoid connecting the liner all the way to the inner corner of your eye. Starting the liner at the midpoint of the lash line will help to elongate the eyes and prevent them from appearing too closed off.
* **Use a Light Touch:** When applying eyeliner, use a light touch to avoid dragging the skin. This is especially important if you have hooded eyelids.
* **Practice Makes Perfect:** Don’t be discouraged if you don’t get it right on the first try. Practice makes perfect, so keep experimenting until you find a technique that works for you.
* **Consider Your Eyelid Space:** If you have limited eyelid space (common with hooded eyes), a thinner line and shorter wing will be more flattering. A thicker line will take up too much space and make your eyes appear smaller.
* **Experiment with Different Liner Types:** Don’t be afraid to experiment with different types of eyeliner to find one that you’re comfortable with. Some people prefer liquid liner, while others prefer gel or pencil liner.
* **Use a Mirror Strategically:** Tilt your head back slightly and look down into the mirror when applying eyeliner. This will help you to see your lash line more clearly and create a smoother line.
* **Don’t Be Afraid to Correct Mistakes:** Everyone makes mistakes when applying eyeliner. Don’t be afraid to use a cotton swab dipped in makeup remover to clean up any smudges or unevenness.
* **Tightlining is your friend:** Applying eyeliner to the waterline (tightlining) can add definition to the eyes without making them appear smaller. Use a waterproof eyeliner pencil for best results.
* **Embrace the Power of Eyeshadow:** Use eyeshadow to add depth and dimension to your cat eye look. A light shimmer shade on the inner corner of the eye will brighten the eyes and make them appear more open. A medium-toned eyeshadow in the crease of the eye will add depth and definition.
## Product Recommendations
While personal preference is key, here are some popular and highly-rated eyeliner products:
* **Liquid Liner:** Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner, KVD Vegan Beauty Tattoo Liner
* **Gel Liner:** Maybelline Eye Studio Lasting Drama Gel Eyeliner, Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Gel Eyeliner
* **Pencil Liner:** Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil, Marc Jacobs Highliner Gel Eye Crayon Eyeliner
* **Eyeliner Pen:** NYX Epic Ink Liner, Fenty Beauty Flyliner Longwear Liquid Eyeliner
## Conclusion
Achieving the perfect cat eye for round eyes requires a bit of practice and patience, but with the right techniques and tools, you can create a stunning look that enhances your natural beauty. Remember to focus on elongation, keep the wing short and angled upwards, and experiment with different liner types to find what works best for you. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes and learn from them. With practice, you’ll be rocking a flawless cat eye in no time! Have fun experimenting and finding your signature cat eye style.