Easy Step-By-Step Tutorial For The Bat Wing Eyeliner Look

The dramatic bat wing eyeliner look is taking over Instagram feeds and red carpets everywhere. This bold liner style makes a sultry statement and adds a touch of danger to any makeup look. If you want to try out the bat wing trend, follow this in-depth tutorial for foolproof application and pro tips for mastering the technique.

The Origins of Bat Wing Eyeliner

Before we get into how to DIY this look, let’s discuss a little history. The bat wing eyeliner style has its origins in retro pinup makeup. Think of the dramatic winged looks of classic Hollywood femme fatales and silver screen vixens.

Modern versions of the bat wing were popularized by drag queens and music artists seeking a bold, artistic statement. The extra lengthened wing extending below the natural lashline creates a sultry elongated eye shape. It nods to the sweeping wing style of Egyptian queens like Cleopatra.

In recent years, bat wing liner has taken off thanks to celebrity makeup artists and influencers. It graced fashion runways and red carpets on stars like Dua Lipa, Gigi Hadid, and Rihanna. The style adds instant edge and intrigue to any look, from everyday neutral glam to ultra-glam eveningwear.

Why Try Bat Wing Eyeliner?

What makes bat wing liner so alluring? Here are some of the reasons this style has blown up:

• It’s versatile – Winged liner can be subtle or extreme. Keep it minimal for daytime or go all out for night looks.
• It flatters all eye shapes – Hooded, round, deep set – bat wings suit every eye shape and size.
• It’s impactful – A bold wing makes that gypset or retro style really stand out.
• It’s on trend – From runways to Instagram, bat wings are everywhere right now.
• It’s glamorous – The dramatic, sweeping liner shape evokes retro Hollywood beauty.
• It’s artistic – Bat wings allow for creative expression and artistry.

So if you want to try the celebrity-approved eyeliner trend, read on!

Supplies You’ll Need

Before you draw on your wings, gather these essential supplies:

Gel Eyeliner

Gel formulas are perfect for the smooth, opaque finish you want for bat wing liner. Traditional liquid liners may appear patchy or uneven. Gels like these glide onto the eyelids without tugging or skipping:

• Maybelline Eye Studio Lasting Drama Gel Eyeliner – This creamy gel glides on easily. The tapered applicator makes drawing the wings simple.
• MAC Fluidline Gel Eyeliner – A makeup artist favorite, this iconic gel has intense pigmentation and serious staying power.
• NYX Epic Ink Eyeliner – For a budget buy, this NYX liner has an ultra-black gel formula. The flexible brush tip lets you contour the wings.

Angled Eyeliner Brush

The angled shape allows you to sketch on the wing shape with precision. Look for a brush with firm yet flexible bristles like these:

• Anastasia Beverly Hills Liner Brush #18 – Designed for use with brow products, this dual-sided brush has a slanted liner side.
• MAC 210 Precise Eyeliner Brush – With stiff bristles and a finely tapered tip, this makes tracing wings easy.
• Morphe M432 Chisel Blender Brush – Budget-friendly with a thin yet sturdy angled shape for eyeliner.

Eyeshadow Primer

Use primer on the lids before applying any liner. This gives the gel formula something to adhere to so it stays put all day and night. Try these long-lasting primers:

• Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion – The OG formula that revolutionized primers. It prevents fading and creasing.
• Too Faced Shadow Insurance – Glides on smoothly and keeps eyelids crease-free for 24 hours.
• NARS Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base – A lightweight formula that doubles as an eyeshadow and liner primer.

Cotton Swabs

These are useful for smoothing out any uneven lines or smudges after applying the liner. Any brand will do.

Makeup Remover

In case you make a mistake, keep remover and cotton rounds handy for quick clean up. Use a gentle oil-free formula like:

• Bioderma Sensibio H2O Micellar Water -Removes makeup without tugging on delicate eye skin.
• Neutrogena Oil-Free Eye Makeup Remover – Gets rid of liner and shadow without irritation.
• Garnier SkinActive Micellar Cleansing Water – This budget drugstore option takes off stubborn makeup.

How to Apply Bat Wing Eyeliner

Follow these steps to flawlessly apply your bat wings:

Prep With Primer

Start by applying eyeshadow primer from your lashline up to your browbone. This creates a smooth base for the eyeliner. Using your fingertips, blend the primer until it fully dries and turns clear.

Outline the Wing Shape

Looking straight ahead into a mirror, use the angled brush dipped in gel liner to lightly draw the outline of the wing extending just past the outer corner of your eye.

Start the wing outline by pressing the brush to the outer edge of your upper lash line. Sweep the brush upward and outward, flicking your wrist slightly at the end. This creates the signature bat shape.

Draw the wing longer and more dramatic than you think it should be. You want it to extend past your natural lashline. Once you fill in the shape, it will look more proportional with your eye size.

Fill In the Wing

Next, use the gel liner to fill in the wing shape you outlined, starting from the tip and working inward toward your lashline. Apply the liner in thin, light layers for the most opaque, intense black color.

It’s better to build up the color gradually rather than trying to apply thick liner all at once. This gives you better control over the shape and prevents tugging on the delicate eyelid skin.

Use the angular tip of the brush to fill in the wing one section at a time. Work slowly and take your time for the cleanest finish.

Draw the Inner Wing

To complete the bat shape, draw a smaller wing extending from the inner corner of your eye. This inner wing should curve upward to connect with the outer wing you drew, meeting it just above your upper lashline.

Use the brush tip to draw the shape in one long stroke upward rather than short choppy sections. Make sure the inner wing aligns evenly with the outer wing.

This inner flick is the defining part of the bat wing look. It changes the cat eye effect into a more dramatic, avant garde bat silhouette. But the inner wing should be smaller and not extend as far as the outer portion.

Line Your Lashlines

Use any remaining gel liner left on the brush to trace your upper and lower lashlines. Press and wiggle the brush along the base of your lashes to coat them with color.

Lining the lower lashline helps blend the inner and outer wings together for a seamless, smokey look. Just take care not to pull or tug this delicate area.

For extra intensity, apply two coats of liner to the upper lashline, letting the first layer dry before adding more product.

Blend the Liner

Finally, take a cotton swab and gently run it along the edges of the wings and lashlines to soften any harsh lines. This smudges and blends the liner to create a sultry, smokey effect.

Focus on softening the inner and outer corners of each eye where liner can appear too harsh. Be very gentle to avoid pulling on the thin eyelid skin.

After blending with a swab, take a clean brush and softly buff the edges. This ensures the liner diffuses evenly for that desired smokey look.

Tips for Perfect Bat Wings Every Time

With practice, you’ll be able to draw on flawless bat wings swiftly. But keep these pro tips in mind for serious liner success:

Open Your Eye

While drawing on the wing shape, be sure to open your eye fully. Looking down or closing your eyelid will alter the eyelid shape.

Drawing with eyes open accounts for how your eyelid naturally folds when open. This prevents uneven or distorted wing shapes.

Apply Gel Liner in Thin Layers

As mentioned earlier, build up gel liner opacity by applying multiple thin layers. Skipping this step can create patchy, streaky liner.

Thin applications give you better control over the precise wing shape. You can gradually build it up to the perfect proportion for your eyes.

Steady Your Elbow for Stability

Precision is key for winged liner. To prevent shaky hands and uneven lines, steady your elbow on a tabletop or other surface while you work.

This provides support and stability so you can draw smooth lines. Your hands don’t have to do all the work.

You can also prop your pinky finger against your cheek to keep your hand anchored in place.

Store Gel Liner Upside Down

Be sure to store gel eyeliner pots upside down in between uses. This keeps the product at the tip instead of settling into the base.

Storing upside down prevents the liner from drying out. It makes sure the gel remains soft and creamy for smooth application.

Use Makeup Remover to Perfect Mistakes

Don’t fret if your wings look uneven or messy on the first try. That’s why it’s crucial to have makeup remover on hand.

Q-tips dipped in remover can sharpen up the wing edges and correct any unevenness. You can wipe away product and redraw lines until they look perfect.

Lock It In With Eyeshadow

Once your wings look flawless, set them with matching black eyeshadow. This keeps the gel liner from transferring or smudging throughout wear.

Pat the shadow over the wings using a firm, flat brush. Set the inner and outer corners especially well to prevent fading.

Achieving Different Bat Wing Variations

The great thing about bat wing liner is you can create different variations. Here are some options:

Subtle Bat Wings

For daytime or a soft glam look, keep your wings shorter and thinner. Focus the majority of the product along the upper lashline and just slightly flick the wing tips.

Add definition by lining only the outer third of the lower lashline. This prevents overly dramatic, costume-like bat wings.

Bold Bat Wings

Go bold for night looks by making those wings super long, wide, and sharp. Take the wing tips way up and out past your natural lashline.

Smoke it out by heavily lining the entire upper and lower lashline to blend with the wing edges.

Colored Bat Wings

For a creative twist, try colorful versions. Navy blue and cobalt wings offer a nice alternative to basic black liner.

Or go full rainbow! Each eye could feature a different bright liner shade like emerald, violet, or electric blue.

Glitter Bat Wings

Incorporate shimmer by using a glitter liner gel like the NYX Glitter Goals Liner. Apply it over black liner or solo for diamond-encrusted bat wings.

For mega sparkle, pat loose glitter pigment along the wing outline using eyelash glue. Set it with more gel liner on top.

Graphic Bat Wings

Get graphic with wings shaped like lightning bolts, sharp triangles, or comma strokes. Black liquid latex makeup is perfect for ultra-sharp edges.

Or stamp on wing shapes using eyeliner stamps like the LA Girl Liner Stamp or Lottie London Wingstamps. Easy!

Complete the Bat Wing Eye Look

Bat wing liner makes a big impact on its own. But you can enhance the overall eye look with these finishing touches:

• Apply black mascara for thick, fanned-out lashes that accentuate the liner. Waterproof formulas like Maybelline Total Temptation hold curls.
• Smoke it out more with black eyeshadow blended along the upper lashline and wing outline. Shade the outer V of the lid for added depth.
• For mega volume, stack on false lashes after the liner. Go for faux mink or 3D styles that flair outward. Duo lash glue keeps them secure.
• Shape and define brows so they frame the bat wings perfectly. Use a brow pomade like Anastasia Beverly Hills Dipbrow to fill them in.
• On the lips, go bold with black or deep red liquid lipstick that won’t transfer or smudge the liner. Or try nude lips so the eyes really stand out.

Unleash Your Inner Vamp with Bat Wings

Now that you’re armed with pro application tips, it’s time to unleash your inner vamp! Have fun channeling your dark side with this striking eyeliner look.

Practice makes perfect – it might take a few tries to get the hang of extending the wing length and drawing symmetrical lines. Don’t give up!

Once you master the technique, you can incorporate dramatic bat wings into both bold glam looks and dark, smoldering styles for your next night out. Not ready to rock the wings in public? Wear them during Halloween makeup trials.

What beauty look will you pair with your bat wings? Will you do a retro old Hollywood theme with red lips and pin curls? Or modernize it with a nude lip and sleek high ponytail?

However you wear them, bat wing liner takes any makeup look to the next level. You’ll be turning heads and stopping traffic everywhere you go!

Have you tried the bat wing eyeliner trend? Share photos of your winged looks in the comments below! And be sure to subscribe to the blog for more makeup tutorial inspiration. Let your dark side loose and go batty for bold wings!