Crisp, graphic eyeliner, that's both effortlessly cool and simultaneously totally on trend. "Graphic liner can go super simple or super dramatic, the whole point is that it's about being expressive and individual," says makeup artist
Katie Jane Hughes, who shared how to recreate the unique-yet-wearable looks shown here (many of which she did on herself!). And, while they may appear complicated, they're surprisingly simple to DIY...even if you're not a makeup pro. Check out these nine gorgeous, graphic eyeliner ideas the next time you need a little eye makeup inspo.
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Emerald Green Eyeliner
Create this open-ended shape starting at the inner corner of your lash line, working outward. Once you hit the outer corner, extend the line up on a diagonal, then work your way back towards the inner corner of the eye, stopping just before you reach it. "The trickiest part here is connecting the lines smoothly, so be light-handed in your application. You can always add more," Hughes points out.
Black, brown, charcoal ... or, consider adding yellow to your liner line-up. The unexpected hue is especially flattering on darker skin tones, as seen here.
To create this graphic shape, look straight in the mirror and keep your eyes open. Using a skinny brush and a cream liner, draw a rounded line that sits just above your crease, working from the inside edge of your eye, out. Hughes used Tarte Clay Pot Waterproof Liner in Goldilocks, $21, for this look. Once you reach the outer corner of your eye, wrap the line down and back one-quarter of the way along the top lash line.
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Subtle Dots
It may be called liner but that doesn't mean you can't use it to create dots for a statement-making yet subtle effect. All you have to do is draw a small dot just under your lower lashline, in-line with the center of your pupil, says Hughes.
A liquid option, like Mehron Paradise Makeup AQ Detailz, $8.95, works well for this, though you can also use a powder eye shadow if you want the dot to be even more subtle, she adds. Loads of black mascara is a must; we're big fans of Wander Beauty Unlashed Volume & Curl Mascara, $24. You can also do like Hughes did here and add a small triangle at the outer corner of each eye, if you want to go even more graphic, a la graphic-liner queen Zoe Kravitz.
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Open Ended Liner
Playing with the width of the lines makes this graphic eyeliner look simple yet sophisticated. Using a felt-tip pen, like Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner, $22, line your top lashline, making the line fairly thick. Wing it out -- keeping this line thinner -- then draw it back up, above your crease, stopping at the mid-point of your eye. The key is to take your time: "Etch the color on slowly, rather than trying to draw this entire shape in one fell swoop," advises Hughes.
