Before drawing on that cat eye flick or dusting an inky eyeshadow across the eyelid, stop. Playing up the upper part of the eyes may produce countless beautiful makeup looks, but there are many other options besides your go-to smoky eye or winged eyeliner. If you’re feeling experimental, try flipping your eye makeup upside down with an underliner look.
Those who are partial to elongated flicks will be all for underliner because it produces a fierce feline eye, but the key difference is the product is focused under the eye, hence the name. That’s why it’s sometimes referred to as upside down makeup or under eyeliner. The reversed look can be created with eyeliner, eyeshadow or a combination of the two. And when it comes to colors, there are no rules.
In fact, a lot of the underliner looks seen on the red carpet and runways favor bold shades as just the tiniest flick of color on the lower lashes can brighten the entire eye area. This makes underliner a great option for those neglected shadows lurking at the bottom of makeup bags that we’re not sure if we can pull off.
One of the other benefits of underliner is that it can be adapted to every occasion. A subtle line is suitable for day, while a thick, extended wing is great for evening. And those still wanting some eyeshadow on their lids can add that on too.
Start embracing the trend with these easy underliner makeup ideas.
[ Next: 15 Gorgeous Eyeliner Looks You Haven’t Tried Yet ]
22 Underliner Makeup Looks That Will Make You Forget About Cat Eyes
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Soft and Sweet
Think of pale pink colors beyond blush and lipstick. For a fresh take, apply a ballet pink eyeliner along the lower part of the eye. Then leave off mascara.
Image: Imaxtree
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Solid Gold
Look closely and see the flattering wash of gold under the eyes. It has major holiday party appeal while still coming across as effortless. That's a tricky combo to get right.
Image: Imaxtree
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Feeling Blue
Olivia Munn is underliner goals with this royal blue makeup. It plays up her brown eyes and ties into her outfit.
Image: Getty
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Hot Stuff
This eye makeup is hot, hot, hot. The streak of red on the eyes enlivens the entire face.
Image: Imaxtree
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Go Green
Or more specifically, go turquoise with a shot of vivid blue-green under the eyes as seen at the Aigner Spring 2017 show. Balance it out with a faint gray line on top, peachy pink lips and a romantic asymmetrical hairstyle.
Image: Imaxtree
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Cat Eye 2.0
Those who are properly addicted to cat eyes can try underliner without leaving their feline flicks totally behind thanks to this creative twist — or should we say tick.
Image: Imaxtree
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Go Bold
Remember: There are no hard and fast rules when it comes to underliner, or makeup in general. Get creative and try a deep eggplant shade on the lower lash line with a vivid light green on top. Then add a hint of yellow in the inner corner. If that's still not enough, draw some whimsical shapes in the crease.
Image: Imaxtree
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Pop of Pink
Full disclaimer: Pink makeup can actually be very flattering. Concerned about the shade being associated with puffy, crying eyes? Add some black. Dianna Agron demonstrated that hot pink underliner and a thick black flick can be a striking combination.
Image: Getty
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Smoky Underliner
Balmain won the Fall 2017 season with its triple crown braids and exaggerated underliner. In keeping with the fashion house's more-is-more aesthetic, a smoky lid balanced out the elongated flick on the lower lash line.
Image: Imaxtree
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Balancing Act
Underliner can be the star or it can play a supporting role. Here, the rust eye makeup complements the electric orange lipstick.
Image: Imaxtree
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Bit of Black
Add some edge to a no-makeup makeup look by enhancing the lower lash line with a black eye pencil. Smudge it slightly for a lived-in effect.
Image: Imaxtree
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Everyday Liner
Say hello to the new everyday makeup look. Even out skin, then draw a thin gold line on the lower part of the eyes. Tie everything together by using the same gold pencil to enhance the Cupid's bow of the lips.
Image: Imaxtree
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Festival Vibes
Feeling bold? Create this entire look. Those craving something for every day can save the forehead dots for festival season and experiment with the cool combination of black in the waterline and hot pink on the lower lash line.
Image: Imaxtree
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Pretty in Purple
Violet is often thought of as pretty, but Joan Smalls proved that the soft shade can be downright sexy when used as part of an underliner look.
Image: @joansmalls
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Break It Down
Is it a struggle to get a straight line? Forget trying to rim the entire eye and only do a section on the lower lash line. When using electric colors like this neon green, it's not necessary to define the entire eye.
Image: Imaxtree
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Line Time
Sometimes it's the softer makeup looks that have the most impact. That's the case with this skinny blue underliner. Craving more drama? Add in the silver forehead faux beauty mark.
Image: Imaxtree
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Mint Moment
We can thank makeup artist Patrick Ta for helping make underliner a thing. This refreshing mint look on Olivia Munn is just one example of his pretty handiwork.
Image: @patrickta
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White Stuff
Underliner can be graphic, but it can also be delicate. This ethereal white liner is blink-and-you-miss-it soft, but it brightens the eye area. Remember it on days when concealer isn't enough to make you look awake.
Image: Imaxtree
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Line and Define
Prefer eyeliner to shadow? Grab a liquid liner with the finest tip and rim the lower lash line starting a quarter of an inch from the inner corner. Extend the line beyond the outer corner to make peepers pop.
Image: Imaxtree
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Slash and Slay
The pigmented turquoise is obviously head-turning, but the shape of this underliner is also unique. At the inner corners of the eye, the liner is slightly below the lash line, but it gradually curves upward as it nears the outer corner.
Image: Imaxtree
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Watercolor Wash
There really is no wrong way to wear black eye makeup. Rather than going for a sooty smoky eye, it has been lightened to a faint wash with blended underliner.
Image: Imaxtree
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Red and Blue
Every single part of Shay Mitchell's look is on point, from the textured ponytail to the highlighter. But it's the combination of the bold red lipstick and royal blue eyeliner that makes it. #Slay
Image: @patrickta
