The 27 Best Eyeliner Looks to Try in 2023

With so many eyeliner looks flooding our feeds with inspiration, finding the right one is hard. But who said you had to choose? Whether you're a beginner looking for an easy tightliner tutorial or ready to flex your liner skills with next-level graphic designs, your options are limitless.

All you really need are the essentials: a transfer-proof, waterproof eyeliner (like our Infinity Long Wear Eyeliner) and a couple coats of mascara to create a look you’ll love. To celebrate the launch of our latest eyeliner and the limitless creativity of our Milk Fam, we asked our team to try some of this year’s coolest eyeliner trends. Below, 27 ways to wear your favorite eyeliners, from basic wings to TikTok FYP-worthy artistry.

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1. Cat Eye

The cat eye is arguably the most iconic eye look of all time. From Cleopatra to Amy Winehouse, it’s one of the most enduring trends, and its versatility means that it’s unlikely to ever fade into obscurity.

"I’m a cat eye fanatic,” says Brooke Hannel, MMU Editorial Intern. “It highlights my eyes for any occasion, which I absolutely love.” To get the look, she used Infinity Eyeliner in Outer Space and RISE Mascara for a natural finish.

Our tips to get the perfect cat eye depend on your individual eye shape, but one technique that always works is to keep your strokes short and small—this makes it much easier to build and connect your line. If things get a little wobbly, don’t panic. “I always dip a Q-tip in a little bit of Hydro Ungrip Makeup Remover + Cleansing Water to get a nice, clean edge,” says Brooke.

Brooke wears Milk Makeup Infinity Long Wear Eyeliner in Outerspace for a classic cat eye

2. Siren Eyes

“This trend is all about sultry, sexy eye makeup,” says Sara Wren, MMU Director of Artistry. Siren eyes are characterized by tapering inner corner eyeliner to further accentuate a classic winged eyeliner look.

Here’s how Sara gets the look: “I grabbed Infinity in Limitless to create a soft brown haze around my eyes, applied it in a winged shape on my inner and outer corners, and buffed it in with the built-in smudger tool,” she says. She then traced over this outline with Infinity in Outer Space to add extra dimension, once again going in with the smudger to soften the effect. “I gave it extra drama with our KUSH Mascara, which enhances the siren shape,” she says.

Sara Wren wears Infinity Liner for a dramatic look

3. Tightliner

"I love the look of winged liner, but because I have deep-set eyes and hooded lids, I've never really been able to master it the way that I want," says Lindsay Schallon, MMU Editorial Creative Director, which is how she got into tightlining and never turned back. "Tightlining—aka applying eyeliner to your waterline—looks amazing on all eye types, but especially on eye shapes like mine, where it's hard to see color on your actual lid."

The technique is simple: Using a creamy waterproof pencil eyeliner like Infinity in Outer Space, you want to sharpen the tip so the liner is super precise, then trace along your waterline as close to your lash line as possible. The effect will make your lashes look thicker and your eyes more defined. "You can't go wrong with a classic black for a smoldery vibe, but I also like to play up the blue in my eyes with a navy shade or make my eyes look bigger with a white or nude-for-me hue," says Lindsay.

What’s especially great about using Infinity for tightlining is that the formula is made with nourishing, waterline-safe ingredients. “A lot of pencil eyeliners leave my eyes irritated,” Lindsay says. “This doesn’t make my contacts dry or my eyes tear up. A necessity.”

Lindsay wears Milk Makeup Infinity Long Wear Eyeliner in Outerspace for a tightliner eye

4. Smudged/Smokey Eyeliner

If you’re looking for a softer version of a smokey eye, you’ve found it. The secret? A creamy brown eyeliner. It’s great for every eye color and brightens any shade so that the focus is on you.

“My go-to red carpet eye is always a smokey one,” says MMU Co-Founder Zanna Roberts Rassi, who loves Infinity in Limitless for a more natural look. Pair it with your favorite shade of Lip + Cheek, or swipe on a shimmery Color Chalk for an extra touch of sparkle.

Zanna wears Milk Makeup Infinity Long Wear Eyeliner in Limitless for a natural, smokey eye

5. Brown Eyeliner

“I love soft glam makeup looks, so brown eyeliners like Infinity in Limitless work really well for me. They add a subtle pop to my eyes,” says Estee Yi, MMU Editorial Intern. “I’m still a beginner when it comes to eyeliner, but it was easy to use and went on so smoothly.”

To reflect the subtle vibe of the shade, she also stuck to a smaller wing and only lined her upper lash line. “I wanted to create a look that was perfect for sunny days but could also work for a spontaneous night out,” she says. “Using brown really helps to create the right amount of drama.”

Estee wears Milk Makeup Infinity Long Wear Eyeliner in Limitless for a natural, brown lined eye look

6. Gold Eyeliner

You can never go wrong with gold for a statement-making shade. That’s what Zoey Burger, MMU Social Media Coordinator, went for with her black and gold look.

“I started with a fluffy brush and put Color Chalk in Jump on the top of my eyelid. Then I went in with our Infinity Eyeliner in Outer Space for my top and bottom lash line,” she says. “I smudged it out a bit before using a thin brush, Jump, and some Hydro Grip Set + Refresh Spray to create my gold graphic look.”

Zoey wears Milk Makeup Infinity Long Wear Eyeliner in Outerspace for a glittery, gold eyeliner look

7. Blue Eyeliner

“Blue eyeliner is so iconic, I absolutely love it,” say Sara. “I have blue eyes so it adds a real intensity and drama.” Play around with shades of blue depending on the look you want to create: A dark navy or cobalt helps make your eyes look brighter, while turquoise and baby blue create Y2K makeup vibes. For this look, Sara chose our Infinity Eyeliner in Time to create floating navy eyeliner.

“I played with the negative space by tapping some Color Chalk in shade Hula Hoop on the center of my lid, and finished with RISE Mascara to really lengthen the effect of my winged liner,” she says.

Sara wears Milk Makeup Infinity Long Wear Eyeliner in Limitless for a sultry, siren eye

8. Green Eyeliner

“Green actually works really well with so many different eye colors. My eyes are hazel-brown, so this color is super flattering and brings out the specks of green,” says Stefani Rey, MMU Creative Director.

Stefani used our Color Chalk in Green Light to create a winged eyeliner look, then added Infinity Eyeliner in Outer Space to her bottom lash line. “The green is dark enough that it blends in really well with the black, and together they create a really cool dimensional effect,” she says.

Stefani wears Milk Makeup Color Chalk in Green Light for a winged eyeliner look

9. Purple Eyeliner

Purple is a color that’s often associated with luxury, royalty, and power. So why wouldn’t you wanna add it to your eye makeup look?

After creating a base with Infinity Liner in Outer Space, Rebecca Tufaro, MMU E-Commerce Coordinator, added some graphic purple eyeliner to her look. “I amped up my everyday liner look using Color Chalk in Bounce to create a purple shape that accentuated my eyes,” she says. “I was inspired by the rings around Saturn—it’s a fun spin on my usual look.”

Rebecca wears Milk Makeup Color Chalk in Bounce for a purple eye look

10. Pink Eyeliner

Pink and brown eyeliner is an unexpected color pairing we can’t get enough of. Caitlin O’Brien, MMU Director of Social Media Strategy + Analytics, tried it out for this fun bubblegum look.

“I wanted to go for something hot pink,” she says. “I used Hydro Grip Set + Refresh Spray to intensify my Color Chalk in Skip It, which I used to draw a half moon above my crease and across my lower lash line.” To add further definition, she used Infinity Eyeliner in Limitless to tightline. “It really made my brown eyes pop,” she says. “I’ll definitely be recreating this look.

Caitlin wears Milk Makeup Color Chalk in Skip It for a Y2K inspired pink eye

11. Floating Eyeliner

Floating eyeliner takes advantage of the negative space on your eyelids to accentuate your eye shape. Feel free to draw whatever you want: This look is great if you’re looking to experiment with different kinds of lines, like Steph Vitiello, MMU Retail Admin Coordinator.

“I based my look on Lucy Boynton at the 2019 SAG Awards—her red carpet looks are always my favorite,” she says.

If you try this look, don’t forget the importance of a good base. “Make sure you use an eye primer (like our Hydro Grip Eye Primer) to ensure that the look lasts throughout the day,” says Steph. From there, she sketched out her liner look using Infinity in Outer Space, then amped up her lashes and brows with KUSH Lash Primer, RISE Mascara, and KUSH Fiber Brow Gel in Grind.

Steph wears Milk Makeup Infinity Long Wear Eyeliner in Outerspace for a floating eyeliner look

12. Reverse Cat Eye

By drawing attention to your lower lashes, the reverse cat eye provides an instantly lifted effect. To get the look, line your lower lash line and waterline, making sure the inner and outer corners of your eyes are fully covered. Don’t worry about it being perfect—after you’re done, just smudge and blend the look for a smoky finish.

Sarah Kendric, MMU Designer, recommends adding eyeshadow on top to really bring out the drama. “I used Color Chalk in Skateboard to create a smokey effect on the lower lash line,” she says. “KUSH Liquid Eyeliner helped me sharpen up the edges, and KUSH Mascara brought the drama on my lashes to tie the whole look together."

Sarah wears Milk Makeup Color Chalk in Skateboard for a reverse cat eye

13. Inner Corner Eyeliner

Inner corner eyeliner draws extra attention to the center of your eye, which creates a sleek effect that really exaggerates your natural eye shape. “This look is definitely one of my go-tos,” says Naomi Lee, Social Marketing Intern. “It’s simple to do, and I love how it spices up my eye makeup.”

Start by lining your top lash line and continue the line all the way towards the inner corner of your eye. Then, draw a line from the inner corner of your eye to your lower lash line. You can stop there, or round out the look with a classic wing for a full feline effect.

Naomi wears Milk Makeup Infinity Long Wear Eyeliner in Outerspace for a inner corner eye look

14. Bubble Eyeliner

“Navy blue bubble eyeliner is never something I thought I'd ever try, but I just found my new glam look,” says Caitlin. Bubble eyeliner, which consists of a buoyantly floating outline, has a futuristic, space-age vibe that Caitlin loves—think Zenon: Girl of the 21st Century.

To create your bubble liner, use a creamy, waterproof eyeliner like Infinity Eyeliner in Time to draw a circle around your eyes. (The shape should complement your eye shape.) Use the smudger tip to really blend it out. It might take a few tries, but the effect doesn’t have to be perfect to work.

Caitlin wears Milk Makeup Infinity Long Wear Eyeliner in Time for a bubble eyeliner look

15. Dramatic Eyeliner

With dramatic eyeliner, you get to be the drama in the best way.

“I love the IDGAF attitude that comes with dramatic eyeliner,” says Sarah. “The classic wing is the blueprint, but I have the freedom to really elevate it with a little bit of blue.”

Using Infinity in Time, Sarah extended her eyeliner for an exaggerated effect, using the included smudger tool to make the color look soft and blended.

Sarah wears Milk Makeup Infinity Long Wear Eyeliner in Time for a blue dramatic eye look

16. Edgy Eyeliner

This graphic take on black eyeliner brings dimension to your eyes by enhancing your crease without overpowering your look.

“I’ve never tried graphic eyeliner up until now, and I can’t believe I haven’t. I’ll definitely be playing more with edgy liners in the future,” says Iley Cao, After creating a basic wing with Infinity in Outer Space, she traced and extended her liner up and over her eyelids for extra definition—a straightforward design with major impact.

Iley wears Milk Makeup Infinity Long Wear Eyeliner in Outerspace for an edgy eye look

17. Double-Winged/Fishtail Eyeliner

If you’re into full glam makeup looks, like Naomi, then this is the one for you. “I love dramatic makeup and the extra-smudged line on the bottom made my look stand out even more,” she says.

This spin on classic winged eyeliner takes advantage of both your upper and lower lash lines to amp up the drama. Go bold with a creamy black eyeliner like Infinity in Outer Space to start your first wing, then lightly line your bottom lid to create contrast. Extend your bottom wing outwards, and you’re done.

Naomi wears Milk Makeup Infinity Long Wear Eyeliner in Outerspace for a fishtail eyeliner look

18. Cut Crease Eyeliner

“I’ve found endless ways to remix my eye looks with our Infinity Eyeliners,” says Esther Faciane, our Lead Content Creator. “The creamy formula is great for drawing different shapes, however I’m feeling that day.” For this artsy spin on cut crease eyeliner, they used Infinity in Outer Space to trace their lash line, then extended those lines to accent the inner corner and natural crease of their eyes. Cut crease eyeliner is also a cool way to add extra impact to a colorful lid wash—try it with one of our Color Chalks for a next-level upgrade on your eye makeup.

Esther wears Milk Makeup Infinity Long Wear Eyeliner in Outerspace for a cut crease eye look

19. Two-Toned Eyeliner

Here’s a secret: You don’t have to go completely out of your comfort zone to try a new makeup trend. Hannah Spicijaric, MMU Product Development Manager and self-proclaimed “winged liner girl for LIFE,” updated her signature eyeliner look just by experimenting with two tones. Starting with Infinity in Outer Space to shape her liner and then adding a layer of Infinity in Time for a color accent, she was able to give her everyday look a refresh.

“I typically don’t sway away from my classic black wing, but I’m beginning to love this pop of blue,” she says.

Hannah wears Milk Makeup Infinity Long Wear Eyeliner in Outerspace and Time for a two toned eyeliner look

20. Negative Space Eyeliner

“I love a negative space eye,” says Brooke. “It gives retro-futurism, which I’m all about.”

There are a few ways to recreate this trend, but one of the easiest is to draw a classic wing, then add another line above the crease. Experiment with different shapes to switch it up. And if the line isn’t perfect, don’t stress—add some eyeshadow for a graphic touch. Brooke pairs this look with Bionic Blush and RISE Mascara for a clean canvas.

Brooke wears Milk Makeup Infinity Long Wear Eyeliner in Outerspace for a negative space eye look

21. Colorblocked Graphic Eyeliner

When you think about color combinations for eye makeup, blue and gold might not be your first choice. But the contrast of these two complimentary colors actually works great to draw attention to your eyes.

“Makeup should be all about self expression! The touch of navy blue with Infinity in Time definitely gives me a fun look,” says Natalie Pilgrim-Allamani, MMU Regional Sales + Education Manager for Canada.

Add a metallic shadow to your eyelids and smudge it out for a sparkly accent. “I added Color Chalk in Kickball and a swipe of RISE Mascara to keep my lashes lifted,” she says. “It was so easy to use Infinity’s smooth formula to create a detailed look with precision.”

Natalie wears Milk Makeup Infinity Long Wear Eyeliner in Time for a graphic, fun eye

22. Dot Eyeliner

Deceptively easy with a major wow factor, it’s no surprise that people are loving the dot eyeliner look. “I get so many compliments on my easiest eye look ever,” says Sara, who used Infinity in Outer Space and KUSH Mascara. “I love creating a little constellation of dots instead of doing full eyeshadow.”

There are so many ways to experiment with this trend, but one of the most popular is to simply draw two dots on the center of your lower lash line. (Some people on TikTok even believe that a certain dot configuration can make people fall in love with you.) Just have fun with it!

Sara wears Milk Makeup Infinity Long Wear Eyeliner in Outerspace for a dot eye look

23. Cut-Out Cat Eye

For another way to remix a classic, cut out your cat eye like Ari Adams, MMU Sales and Education Executive for New York. By reversing the traditional technique of a classic cat eye and playing with negative space, he creates a high-impact, smoldering look. “Something so dramatic wouldn't be possible without KUSH Mascara to amp up the volume and KUSH Fiber Brow Gel in Dutch,” he says. Bonus tip: To enhance the look even more, try tracing the lines with white eyeliner.

Ari wears Milk Makeup Infinity Long Wear Eyeliner in Time for a cut-out cat eye look

24. Puppy Eyeliner

True to its name, puppy eyeliner gives you a cute, puppy-eyed look that’s the polar opposite of cat eyeliner. “It’s a pendulum swing from the sharp, upturned, ‘snatched’ wings and cat eyes we have seen in the past few years,” says Sara. “Puppy eyeliner follows the top lash line in a downward motion, creating a sweet puppy eye shape.” To get the look, Iley grabbed Infinity in Outer Space. But first, they traced an outline with Color Chalk in Double Dutch and a small angled brush, laying down a map for the eyeliner. The important thing with this liner technique is to create a small wing following your top lash line’s natural downward curve; too long, and it will drag your eyes down.

Close-up portrait of Iley wearing puppy eyeliner look

25. Mod Eyeliner

Here’s another fun take on floating eyeliner that’s softer and easier to execute. “I was inspired by ‘60s mod makeup,” says Aga t he Renou, MMU Social-Creative Intern. Her twist on Steph’s take involved softening the cat eye to a subtler smudged-out wing and creating a more exaggerated arch shape in an ode to mod muse Twiggy. To keep the overall look less harsh, she swapped out Outer Space for Infinity in Limitless. (If you want to blend it even further, try layering Color Chalk in Double Dutch over the top.)

Close-up portrait of Agathe wearing mod eyeliner look

26. White Eyeliner

You may have heard the eye-brightening trick of tracing your waterline with a white liner, but here’s one that’s even better—and a lot more fun. To create a dotted white liner look, creator Jael Dorotan blended out her base with Future Fluid All Over Cream Concealer in 11C, then added a subtly blended wing with Infinity Long Wear Eyeliner in Limitless. The finishing touch: Three dots of white eyeliner floating above the inner corner of each eye. If you want to add extra shine, try wetting a detail brush and dipping it into Color Chalk in Tag for a shimmery beige finish. It’s basically the white eyeliner of the future.

Close-up portrait of Jael wearing white eyeliner look

27. Anti-Mascara Eyeliner

Our KUSH Mascara was made for TikTok’s anti-mascara eyeliner trend. The technique doesn’t involve any eyeliner at all; instead, you use your mascara wand to create a graphic liner look and give your lashes a boost at the same time. The signature of any anti-mascara eyeliner is the way the wing tapers off in a mascara-splatter effect, which you get by gently pulling the mascara wand over your skin. Sounds messy, but when done right (with some makeup remover on standby), it works. Just take it from Lucy Lin, MMU Creative Operations Intern, who tried the trend for the first time. “I always do a clean eyeliner look and wanted to do something a little different,” she says. Verdict? Obsessed.