Instep Desk

If you’re tired of the classic cat eye or cleanly kohl-rimmed eyelids, try something bold for the eyes this season. Though spring is generally associated with no-makeup look, giving a bit of focus to your eyes wouldn’t be harmful. We’re talking about brushing safe feline flicks aside and replacing it with something more graphic and trendy. Graphic eye art, simply known as graphic eyeliner, is a makeup trend that involves creating shapes, with liners and shadows, on the eyelids. Here are five wearable graphic eyeliner options, according to makeup pro Katie Jane Hughes, that are sure to make a statement.

On the dot

"A blurred dot makes maximum impact with minimal effort," says Hughes. To create this form of graphic liner, tight-line with your eye pencil and dot the eyeliner near the outer bottom corner of the eye, a millimeter from the base of lower lashes. Twist it to get a larger size dot. While applying it, make sure you look straight ahead so that you get the placement right. Set your eyeliner by blending a matching powder shadow on top while give your eyelids a glossy finish to keep your look modern and effortless.

Open space

Hughes shares her opinion on this one in these words, "The unexpectedness of a disconnected line reads as a little rebellious." For open space liner, you need to highlight the inner corners by tracing them with your eyeliner. Next, apply pointed eyeliner starting from the outer corner of the top lash line and draw it out a half inch. Make a sharp corner and continue downward until you reach the crease. If you end up smudging or if anything goes wrong, use a cotton swab soaked in cleansing water to clean it up.

Hot metal

The key to this one, according to Hughes, is to "follow the shape of your eye and choose warm, luxe tones that make it look expensive". Use a small pointy liner brush and deep bronze shade from the eye palate and form a wing outward and up towards the end of your brows. Brush the remaining eye shadow all over the lids. After this, blend the lower lash line with the rust-colored shadow and then press the golden shadow on the centre of lids. This will create dimension and inners corners to open up eyes. Blur edges, if any, with a small blending brush. Hughes describes it in these words, "A glam smoky metallic wing feels cool." So apply this one if you want to stand out from the rest.

Dot your eyes

To achieve this look to perfection, use dot, dual eyeliner at the outer corner of your eye (where a wing would be) and create three small dots in a triangle shape. Don’t forget to re-dip the brush before each dot. Moving on, soften the dots with a sweep of colour from mono eye shadow in gold dust on the lids and along the lash line. According to Hughes, "These three little dots are graphic, yet delicate. And it’s that balance that makes it work and wearable."

Dark arc

"This look is retro, but made modern by pairing it with super fresh, dewy skin, and a soft lip," says Hughes. "Banana line goals!"

Draw a half moon-shaped arc between the natural crease and brow with precision eyeliner. To ensure the smoothest line, look straight ahead as you apply and rest an elbow on the table. Now pair the liner with equally mod, faux lashes with the help of a good quality lash applicator and that’s all.