Batwing Liner Is About to Be Everywhere

First, there was the smudgy-smoky. Then came the kitten-eye. Double-winged eyeliner is now available. This new twist on eyeliner will have you reaching for the makeup bag again. 

Most current beauty trends are firmly rooted in nostalgia for the ’90s and early ’2000s, like bouncy blowouts, brown lip liner, and smoky eyes, which doesn’t seem to be slowing down any time soon. However, what we’ve coined batwing liner is a nice break from the early-aughts mania, and takes us a little further back, all the way to the ’60s. 

Despite the intense name—no, it has nothing to do with Robert Pattinson’s sad-boi eyeliner in The Batman—the result is pretty and feminine. It’s a double-wedged eyeliner with one at the top and one at the bottom. This trend has been popularized on TikTok as well as by celebrities such as Charli XCX and Dua Lipa. It was also featured heavily in the most recent season. EuphoriaDonni Davy was the show’s lead cosmetic artist. GlamourShe was very active in accentuating the lower lash line this year. 

Part of the appeal of this liner is that it can range from a small natural flick to a totally dramatic wing, depending on your vibe—see EuphoriaMaddy and Cassie are respectively. Both have a similar basic principle of a top-and-bottom wing, but they have a very different feel. For a dramatic look, you can take a cue form Charli XCX who has made the look her favorite, and place your first wing in yourcrease. 

Celebrity makeup artist Lily Keys is a fan of this trend and is behind some Charli XCX’s recent interpretations. “It’s a take on the retro ’60s Twiggy eye,” she tells Glamour. “It opens your eyes and makes them appear bigger and more feminine, almost doll-like. You need a steady hand and some practice, but anyone can do it.” 

The first step in getting the look is finding a great liner; Keys likes the Catrice Glam & Doll Easy Wash Off liner, since it’s precise and super pigmented. “Sit in front of a mirror and lean your elbow on the table for steadiness,” she recommends. “Looking straight ahead, take your eyeliner and draw a line along the lash line, starting from the inner corner of the eyes to the outer corner. Make sure that the line is close to the root of the lashes, and use small strokes with a wing at the end for that cat-eye look.”