The Reverse Cat Eye Trend Is Pure Makeup Magic. Here's How To Recreate The Look
Oh, TikTok, you’re a gem. You’ve been a kickstarter for so many crazy cool makeup trends. From flawless foundation hacks to lip plumping tips and instant-facelifting blush tricks, you’ve provided us with so many makeup tricks we honestly don’t know how we ever lived without. That’s why when the pros take their skills to social media, we watch and take note. Now, we’ve all gone down the same rabbit hole and watched our fair share of cat eye how-to’s in search of that one video that’ll help us score the perfect feline eyes. Whether you’re an expert or still learning (keep trying—you’ll get it!), the latest eyeliner trend we’re tackling is the reverse cat eye. And the beauty world is beyond obsessed with it.
When makeup artist @paintedbyspencer took to TikTok with an easy-to-follow eyeliner tutorial on creating the reverse cat eye liner look it totally blew us away. And now we’ve spotted it on the eyes of loads of celebs and influencers who’ve taken it for a test drive. Want to learn how to rock the look for yourself? Here’s everything you need to know about creating a reverse cat eye, with a simple how-to from expert makeup artist Ruby Vo. The best part? It’s insanely easy.
Meet the Expert
Ruby Vo is a Los Angeles based professional makeup artist.
But First... What Is a Reverse Cat eye?
“It’s basically an upside down version of a traditional winged line,” says Vo. While a classic cat eye focuses on creating flicks on the upper lid, a reverse cat eye starts underneath the lower lash line. Basically, this look takes the classic cat eye, flips it, and reverses it to create a dramatic lifted look that’s smoky, dramatic, and fierce.
Here’s How to Create A Reverse Cat Eye
1. Line Your Lids.
“First, apply a creamy pencil liner to your waterline and draw your line so that it goes way into the inner corners of your eyes, where your tear ducts are,” says Vo. She’s a fan of MAKEUP BY MARIO Master Pigment Pro Pencil in Super Black.
2. Wing It Out.
“Then, draw a wing on the outer corner of your eye, making sure it aligns with your inner corner wing. You want to create a sexy feline shape,” says Vo.
3. Blend and Buff.
Next, Vo recommends using a blending brush and some black eyeshadow (we love NYX COSMETICS Hot Singles Eyeshadow in Raven) to gently buff out the edges of your wings to create a smokier effect. Here’s a hot tool tip: “For liner brushes, I actually like going to a craft store and checking out the paint section for small detail brushes,” says Vo. “I find that those are the best for line work.”
4. Define Your Lines.
“Lastly, I recommend going in with either a liquid liner or gel liner to clean up your wings and define the shape more,” says Vo. Her top picks: KVD Tattoo Liner in Trooper Black or Maybelline Eye Studio Lasting Drama Gel Eyeliner in Blackest Black. And don’t forget your lashes! “Top your lashes off with your favorite mascara, and there you go! It’s a super quick and easy look once you get the hang of it,” she adds.
5 Reverse Cat Eye Looks to Inspire Your Next Glam
1. The Sky High Reverse Cat Eye
Enter the queen of contour and G.O.A.T. of sky high sculpted features. Kim Kardashian’s reverse cat eye look does some serious lifting with dramatic flicks that are exaggerated and angled. For perfectly placed wings that are even in length, “I recommend drawing your liner in small sections taking your time. If you make any mistakes, take a flat detail brush and dip it in some makeup remover to clean up any slip ups,” says Vo.
2. The Flirty Feline Reverse Cat Eye
This sultry reverse cat eye has femme fatale written all over it. We love how this look has just the right amount of drama that makes it suitable for everything from day to date night. For thinner lines like these, reach for a fine tip liquid liner to create your flicks (like Pat McGrath Perma Precision Liquid Eyeliner) which is a go-to of Vo’s.
3. Cobalt Blue Reverse Cat Eye
If we’ve learned one thing from social media this year, it’s that colorful eye makeup is 100 percent here to stay (woo!). Rihanna recently posted a reverse cat eye tutorial using a vibrant red liner on one of her Insta stories and our jaws hit the floor. If you’re looking for something more everyday, this cobalt blue reverse cat eye look that she wore back in 2020 is everything. The not-so-secret ingredient? Rihanna’s own FENTY BEAUTY Flypencil Longwear Pencil in Sea About It.
4. The Retro Reverse Smokey Cat Eye
This reverse cat eye liner look has retro written all over it. From the curvy flick, to extra smoked out smudge we’re here for all of it. Stretch your wing out to line up with the tail end of your brow to skill this look. Makeup artist Lauren Esposito used OFRA COSMETICS Verified Liquid Liner to create the wings seen here. And top it off with some wispy falsies for a flirty effect.
5. The Statement Maker Reverse Smokey Cat Eye
This clean-cut reverse cat eye is a gorgeous go-to for any occasion (we’re talking from your 9 to 5 to midnight mischief). It’s simple, yet bold with a minimalist approach that’ll define the beautiful shape of your eyes and emit major boss babe vibes. Use a richly pigmented pencil liner (like ARACELI BEAUTY Ojos Perfectos Gel Pencil Eyeliner in Black). Leave your upper lids nude and top your top and bottom lashes off with a lifting mascara.
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