Master the Art of the Bold and Modern Twist on Classic Winged Eyeliner!
Bat wing eyeliner is a trendy and versatile makeup look suitable for any special event or party. With enough practice, you can even transform it into an all-out glam Halloween head-turner. The term "bat wing" is derived from the shape of the completed look, which resembles the gracefully curved wings of a bat. This unique eyeliner style was created by celebrity makeup artist Katie Jane Hughes and is especially well-suited for individuals with hooded eyes. Those with hooded eyes often face challenges when trying to achieve a traditional eyeliner look, as the wing may get lost in the crease. However, the pronounced c-notch of bat wing eyeliner greatly assists in defining the wing and creating the illusion of slightly lifted cat-eye appearance for hooded eyes.
Achieving the Bat Wing Eyeliner Look
The bat wing eyeliner stands out as a unique departure from more traditional eyeliner styles you might already know. It enables you to craft dramatic or gothic makeup looks and is particularly well-suited for Halloween makeup. While it shares some similarities with the classic cat-eye liner, there are fundamental differences between the two. Unlike the cat-eye liner's straight line, which extends from the outer corner to the inner corner of the eye, the bat-wing liner takes a distinctive route by curving and descending from the crease in a c-shaped manner until it meets the lash line.
It offers a bolder and more distinctive option compared to the conventional liner style and is often easier to apply on hooded eyelids than a classic cat-eye. If you're eager to perfect this unique technique, here's a step-by-step tutorial for you to follow.
Effortless 6-Step Tutorial to Achieve the Bat Wing Eyeliner Look
Step 1: Prep Your Eyelids
Applying eyeshadow primer to your eyelids will create a smooth and even base for your stunning eyeliner look. Additionally, it will enhance the longevity of your liner, preventing it from fading or smudging prematurely.
Step 2: Seal the Primer with Powder
Set the primer with either loose translucent or compact powder. Opt for a powder that matches your skin tone for optimal results. This powder will help ensure that your eyeliner stays in place and doesn't smudge or transfer onto your eyelid or brow bone.
Step 3: Create a Preliminary Sketch of Your Chosen Design
Outline a dotted line for the bat wing using a pencil liner or a firm-angled eyeshadow brush in the same shade as your intended eyeliner. Pencil liners offer more flexibility and smooth application across your eyelids. This step is crucial for faithfully bringing your vision to life, especially if you're aiming for a creative, Batman-inspired graphic wing.
Step 4: Define the Outline
Take your preferred eyeliner and carefully draw thin, precise lines along your eyelid. Focusing on the outline at this stage minimizes the chances of errors. The thin lines allow for easy correction of any mistakes or smudges without compromising the entire look.
Step 5: Fill in the Design
Once you've completed the outline, proceed to fill in the remainder of the design. Be mindful not to use an excessive amount of product to prevent the eyeliner from smudging or running.
Step 6: Rectify Smudges and Stray Lines
Don't be concerned if your eyeliner doesn't appear flawless right away. You can easily refine it. Use a cotton swab dipped in makeup remover or an eyeshadow brush with concealer to smoothen any uneven lines, ensuring a clean and polished finish. If you desire a softer appearance, you can dip your eyeshadow brush into the same shade used for the initial sketch and blend the c-notch into your crease for a seamless transition.
Nevertheless, using a liquid eyeliner right from the start can be a bit challenging. If you're seeking a simpler method and feel uncertain about achieving precise bat wing eyeliner, consider trying this beginner-friendly technique.
Bat Wing Eyeliner for Novices

For beginners, consider using a colored eyeshadow or eye pencil to craft the wing, as they are more forgiving compared to liquid eyeliner. This approach will enable you to practice and make multiple attempts before achieving the perfect winged look you desire.
For a dramatic wing, position a piece of cosmetic or Scotch tape at an angle just below your lower lashes. Next, carefully trace along the edge of the tape using your pencil eyeliner.
Draw a second line extending from the tip of the outer wing towards the crease of your inner eyelid.
Now, with a steady hand, carefully connect the second line to the base of your lashes, forming a crisp 'c' shape.
Use an eyeshadow brush to blend the pigment slightly for a more natural appearance. Complete the look with a coat of mascara, and you're ready to head out!
If you have hooded eyes and have been on the hunt for a winged look that complements your eyes beautifully, your search is over, thanks to the bat wing eyeliner.
Bat Wing Eyeliner for Hooded Eyes

Hooded eyes are characterized by excess skin and soft tissue around the brow area, partially covering the eyelids but leaving the actual eye exposed. As a result, when applying traditional winged eyeliner to hooded eyes, the wing may become less visible and get concealed within the crease.
The bat wing eyeliner offers an effective solution to this issue. It results in a sharp and well-defined wing that maintains its shape and can also serve as a cat-eye look tailored for hooded eyes.
Begin by using a brown or black pencil to outline both the inner and outer corners of your eyes. Ensure that you apply the pencil evenly, using gentle pressure to achieve a smooth and precise line.
Following the line you've drawn, fashion two or three jagged and irregular c-shaped notches that imitate the appearance of bat wings.
Draw a second line extending from the tip of the curved line to your eyelid crease, then form another c-shaped notch that connects the second line to the base of your lashes.
After completing the wing design, apply a layer of liquid eyeliner over it to achieve a sharp and long-lasting appearance.
Follow this up with the application of shimmer eyeshadow and mascara to finalize the look.
If you have double eyelids, you can confidently experiment with nearly any winged eyeliner style. Feel free to elevate your basic bat wing for an extra dose of flair and impact.
Bat Wing Eyeliner for Double Eyelids
Double eyelids are characterized by arc-shaped creases in the skin of your eyelids. Unlike hooded eyelids, double eyelids do not have excess skin and fat around the eyes, making their upper eyelid crease clearly visible.
With a significant and visible space between your eyes and brows, you have the flexibility to experiment with various bat wing eyeliner techniques.
Because you have ample space and are not limited by the eyelid area, consider extending the eyeliner into your crease for a distinctive and creative bat-wing look.
Enhance the wing by adding a touch of glitter liner just above your crease, and add a hint of eyeshadow to intensify the overall appearance.
Lastly, in the next section, you'll find an intricate bat wing eyeliner technique that will take your eyeliner game to the next level, perfect for Halloween.
Bat Wing Eyeliner for Halloween
This look is designed for all the die-hard vampire enthusiasts. If you're eager to flaunt your exceptional makeup talents this Halloween, consider embracing this imaginative bat wing eyeliner style. The striking red-and-black color scheme exudes just the right eerie ambiance, transforming an ordinary fake-teeth costume into a captivating vampire princess ensemble.
To achieve this edgy bat wing eyeliner look, opt for a highly pigmented and long-lasting eyeliner and eyeshadow combination.
To achieve this edgy bat wing eyeliner look, opt for a highly pigmented and long-lasting eyeliner and eyeshadow combination.
Add as many intricate details as you desire to the wing using an eye pencil before finalizing the look by applying a liquid liner.
Enhance the masterpiece by layering red eyeshadow to add depth and dimension to the overall design.
Remember to line the inner corners of your eyes and apply red eyeshadow to your lower lashes for an added touch of drama.
Prior to adding faux lashes for an extra boost to your look, apply mascara to your natural lashes.
To ensure your Halloween look stays intact all night, don't forget to use setting spray.
Infographic: Simple Bat Wing Eyeliner Tutorial
The bat wing eyeliner has become one of the most popular eye makeup trends in the world of beauty and cosmetics today. This simplified version offers a creative and arguably more daring approach to the traditional winged eyeliner. It serves as an excellent choice for individuals with hooded lids, as it beautifully complements the eye shape. Explore the infographic below to discover how to achieve the simple bat wing eyeliner look.
Whether you aim for a simple or an intricate wing design with elaborate eyeshadow artistry, the bat wing eyeliner suits all eye shapes and yields effortlessly striking results. This eyeliner style can be executed using liquid, gel, or pencil eyeliner, allowing you to achieve a daytime or nighttime look. You have the option to go for a classic monochromatic design or elevate your style by incorporating a pop of color alongside the traditional black wing. This straightforward yet versatile look adds a touch of edginess to your everyday office attire or a quirky Halloween costume. With a bit of patience and practice, the bat wing can become your signature makeup look.