5 eyeliners to help you achieve the riveting trend that's all the rage on the runway.
The floating eyeliner as seen on the Mugler Autumn/Winter 2017 runway. Photo: AFP Relaxnews
As seen on the models at Kenzo, Mugler, Alexis Mabille and Prabal Gurung back in February, autumn/winter 2017/2018’s beauty trend is hardly new—in fact, the negative space eyeliner has been floating around (pun intended) the Internet since 2014.
It appears that this avant-garde look isn’t going anywhere soon, however, appealing to the rebels in all of us who were forced to colour within the lines as children.
Floating eyeliner paired with spiky lower lashes at Chanel Fall-Winter 2017-18
Photo: Courtesy of AFP Relaxnews
Here's how it works: instead of tracing along your lashes, draw your eye line on the crease of your lids such that it is floating above your eye. Perhaps the greatest charm of this quirky trend is that there are no rules—anything goes. If you have a preference for the minimal, all you need is a steady hand and an eyeliner to create a bold, graphic stroke as seen in the Mugler autumn/winter 2017/2018 show.
Read also: The 7 beauty products you need to achieve dreamy eyes this fall/winter 2017
For an elaborately coloured look that is particularly popular on Instagram, start with a winged floating eye line in your favourite colour and simply layer your eyeshadow above.
Ready to try your hand on the trend? Here are some of our favourite looks from celebrity make-up artists and the latest eyeliners to help you achieve it.
Smokey floating eyeliner by Pat McGrath
Photo: Courtesy of Burberry
Get the look with: Burberry Cat Eye Liner
Keep your lines sharp and straight with Burberry’s newest dual eyeliner. The pen features an ultra-fine liquid liner on one end, and a buildable, pigmented powder on the other for smokier looks. To recreate the smokey look by Pat McGrath, trace your natural lash line with the fine tip of the eyeliner, extending to the outer corners of your eye. Then, intensify with the powder tip and use it to draw a coarse stroke along your crease, joining with your winged line. Finish with black glitter and blend away.
Negative space eyeliner by M.A.C Cosmetics
Photo: Courtesy of M.A.C
Get the look with: M.A.C Rollerwheel Liquid Liner
For beginners who are not adept in the art of liquid eyeliners, M.A.C’s Rollerwheel Liquid Liner—affectionately christened the ‘pizza-cutter eyeliner’—promises to be your “training wheels” with its spinning disk applicator that steadily glides across your lids. To replicate the futuristic look, use the liquid liner in Roller Royale (a royal blue) on the outer corner of your eye in an upward angle, winging it all the way up to your brow. At the end of your stroke, roll the liner downward towards the rim of your iris.
Ombré floating eyeliner by Gucci Westman
Photo: Courtesy of Sephora
Get the look with: Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Liquid Eyeliner
If you’re inspired by the shimmering lids at Alexis Mabille’s Autumn/Winter 2017 show, Bobbi Brown’s glittery Long-Wear Liquid Eyeliner will give you the midas touch. An ultra-fine brush tip also means you can create crisp, precise lines inspired by the runways. For Gucci Westman's gorgeous floating eyeliner that seamlessly blends blue and green, start with a curved line on the crease of your eye with the eyeliner in Forest Sparkle. Then, tightly draw beneath it in the shade Baltic Blue Sparkle. Don't be too precise though—overlapping adds to the ombré effect.
Graphic negative space eyeliner by Val Garland
Photo: Courtesy of Marc Jacobs Beauty
Get the look with: Marc Jacobs Highliner Gel Eye Crayon
For a bold, colourful floating eyeliner, Marc Jacob’s offers an extensive selection of 26 different shades such as teal, pink, gold, and more. The malleable gel formula allows you to mix and match across the spectrum and layer the colours to create your vibrant negative space makeup. To replicate the vibrant look created by Val Garland, use the eye crayon in Blue Me Away to draw the outline of a traditional cat eye, extending to the crease and stopping above your iris. Using the shade Th(ink), draw a line below your brows and blend before lining it again. Finish with an upward stroke under the wing of your cat eye.
Minimalist floating eyeliner by Aaron de Mey
Photo: Courtesy of Christian Louboutin
Christian Louboutin Oeil Vinyle Luminous Ink Eyeliner
Like his iconic stilettos, Christian Louboutin’s entrance into beauty is incredibly sexy. The luminous ink eyeliner shines with a glossy lacquer-like sheen that is smudge-proof and humidity resistant. To create a minimalist floating eyeliner like Aaron de Mey's, draw a curved stroke along your crease, extending all the way to the inner and outer corners of your eyes. For that extra pop, line your eyes with the liquid liner in Rouge—a crimson shade that couldn’t be more representative of the French designer.
(Related: Paris Haute Couture Makeup Gets Bold And Bodacious)