A natural-looking cat eye is a classic. Executed well, this technique can noticeably define and lift the eyes: a significant bonus if you’re concerned about hooded eyes, drooping lids, or other signs of aging.
As you might already know, I find the eyes to be a major source of angst for many people; I’ve thought about this a lot lately, especially as I’ve watched interest in blepharoplasty (upper and/or lower eyelid surgery) continue to grow dramatically. Last week, in an interview for the Ayla blog, the brilliant dermatologist Dr. Macrene Alexiades offered this thoughtful note of caution:
“The clinical indication [for blepharoplasty] used to be functional—lids so ptotic they impair the visual field, which genuinely warrants intervention. Now we are seeing purely cosmetic indications in patients in their late twenties and thirties. I would caution anyone in that age bracket to be thoughtful: the upper bleph removes skin permanently, and if performed too early or too aggressively, it can result in lagophthalmos—the inability to fully close the eye—which is a serious, sight-threatening complication I am seeing with increasing frequency in younger patients who underwent blepharoplasty.”
I know that countless people have been delighted with their cosmetic surgery experiences. But, as you might have noticed, my personal inclination runs towards low-intervention approaches that have full-body benefits (like hot baths and tension-relieving bodywork) or that celebrate our unique features with equally beautiful products. And, while it’s certainly not a plastic surgery equivalent, a well-executed makeup technique can do more than you might expect.
I filmed this step-by-step tutorial with Ayla makeup pro Melissa McMillan and Ayla Guide Emi, whose beautiful, slightly hooded eyes are a perfect canvas for Melissa’s technique. I’ve broken it into sections so that it’s easy to follow.
Melissa began by priming Emi’s lids with a foundation stick for a more polished, long-lasting result with very little extra effort. She followed that with a single wash of eyeshadow (optional, but always a good idea if you’d like to brighten the eye area).
This is a step that many people find tricky, and I love Melissa’s cat-eye technique. She uses a pencil eyeliner that I particularly love for its softness and non-smudging formula (it’s gentle on even the most sensitive eyes, too).
Melissa then applied mascara using a technique that adds extra lift and curl. These small adjustments can make a huge difference in how open and awake the eyes appear.
Melissa finished with a brow pencil to frame the eye naturally and help the eye area look even more polished and defined. Well-groomed brows can do a lot of heavy lifting; on days when I wear no other makeup on my face, I still do my brows.
I’m a huge fan of Eye of Horus—a cruelty-free, healthy beauty brand from Australia’s Byron Bay—due to the jaw-dropping performance of their eye makeup in particular. These products have exceptional staying power but don’t irritate sensitive eyes, which is a combination that’s very difficult to find. The mascara never smudges or budges; the eye pencils are almost impossibly soft, yet the rich colors stay put all day; the highly pigmented eyeshadows never irritate; and the liquid liner, which applies like magic and doesn’t run, is the stuff of dreams. (More on that later.)
In this tutorial:
PS You can book your own lesson, too
After watching, you might want to try this technique with one of Ayla’s makeup artists yourself, either in person or virtually. You can book a lesson right here.
Comments
Nothing yet. Say the first thing.
Sign in to join the conversation.