In the Chair: The Art of Precision Eyeliner

Few beauty products have quite the staying power of eyeliner. From the ancient Egyptians, who embraced it as part of their beauty rituals, to icons such as Marilyn Monroe and Amy Winehouse, who each made the look distinctly their own, eyeliner has been defining eyes for centuries. Today, it remains a fixture everywhere from the catwalk to our makeup bags - whether smudged softly along the lash line, traced through the waterline, or drawn with painstaking precision.

In this edition of In the Chair, we’re focusing on the latter. Makeup artist Diana Macoveiu shares her expert tips for creating a crisp, balanced eyeliner look, from getting the shape just right to achieving that all-important symmetry. Add a flawless base and a complementary lip, and you have all the ingredients for a look that feels polished, modern and timeless.

Written By: Madelaine Law - Published: 25.09.2026

Step 1: Prime the eyes

Before the main event, it’s important to prep the eyes. Reach for your favourite concealer or foundation, carefully buffing it across the upper lid using a slightly dampened makeup sponge or fingertip.

Once evenly distributed, load a beauty puff with loose setting powder, tapping off any excess before gently pressing it over the lid to set the base in place. This creates a smooth, even canvas for what comes next.

Step 2: Apply your eyeshadow

Using a fluffy eyeshadow brush, pick up a shade one to two tones deeper than your skin tone and gently wash it through the crease. Work in soft, sweeping motions, building the colour gradually until you achieve a seamless blend.

The result should be subtle rather than overly defined - just enough depth to softly frame the eye and provide the perfect backdrop for your liner.

Step 3: Wing it out

Before reaching for your liner, map out your shape with a little eyeshadow or a few tiny dots, extending from the outer corner towards the tail of the brow. Rest your elbow on a flat surface for extra control, then connect the dots with your chosen liner.

If you’re new to winged liner, pencil is a great place to start, giving you a little more time to sketch and adjust your shape before committing. For greater precision, try a gel liner with an angled brush, or opt for a felt-tip liner for a fuss-free, controlled finish.

The perfect wing is personal, so adjust the angle and length to complement your eye shape.

Step 4: Perfect the base

Now that the eyes are complete, turn your attention to the complexion. Apply your foundation of choice in light, even layers for a seamless finish. Follow with concealer where needed, using it sparingly to brighten beneath the eyes and soften any areas that need a little extra coverage.

Step 5: Contour and sculpt

Now it’s time to bring a little shape back to the complexion. Sweep your chosen contour beneath the cheekbones, along the temples and lightly across the jawline, blending as you go.

Start with a small amount and build slowly to keep the finish soft and seamless. The aim is to add just enough definition to complement the eyes.

Step 6: Just a little blush

A little blush goes a long way. Sweep your favourite shade over the cheeks, working upwards towards the cheekbones for a soft, lifted finish. Start lightly and build the colour until it feels right - the aim is that fresh, just-pinched flush that brings warmth back to the face.

Step 7: Finish off the lips

Now for the finishing touch. Define the lips lightly with a liner before applying your chosen lipstick or gloss, taking care to soften any edges as you go.

Step 8: Set in place

Finally, set everything in place. Hold your setting spray at arm’s length and mist it evenly over the face, allowing it to settle into the skin.

Beyond helping your makeup last, setting spray helps the powdered layers melt together, taking away any excess powderiness and giving the complexion a more natural, skin-like finish.