A Step-by-Step Tutorial on How to Nail 3 Trending Colourful Eyeliner Looks

Amelia singson Amelia singson

I don’t know if you’ve noticed this, but coloured eyeliner and bright, fun eye makeup looks are all the rage at the moment.

Call it a sign of the times, but there's something particularly joyful about a pink shimmer eyeshadow or a neon winged eyeliner right now.

Especially since our eyes are the only emotive feature on display when we’re all masked up! 

Keen to try this buzzy makeup trend but find the idea of eyeliner, let alone bright colourful eyeliner, daunting?

I promise, it’s easier than it looks.

I’m all about ease when it comes to makeup.

Maximum impact, minimum effort.

So, you can watch my simple coloured eyeliner tutorial YouTube video below, or keep scrolling for the step-by-step tutorial.

How To: Colourful Eyeliner.

Want to learn how to wear coloured eyeliner, but don’t know where to start?

Let’s break down three different coloured eyeliner looks.

From subtle colourful liquid liner to shimmery graphic shapes, we'll cover the best colourful eyeliners and how to nail pot eyeliners and liquid eyeliner.

A quick note on colours and shades. If you're confused about how to choose the right colour to suit your eye colour, know there really aren't any rules - do whatever YOU like!

As a very rough guide:

  • Coloured eyeliner for brown eyes could include bright pops of neon and bold primary colours.

  • Golds and peachy pink shades are some of the best eyeliner colours for blue eyes.

  • Eyeliner colour for green eyes = bronze, gold, purples and rich reds and pinks.

Look 1: Floating Liner.

Floating liner can really look any way you want it to!

Shape-wise, we'll do something similar to the look singer Olivia Rodrigo wore to the 2021 Met Gala.

But, with a 60s-inspired hint of metallic liner a la makeup artist Katie Jane Hughes.

Very Jane Birkin and Diana Ross, minus the big strip lashes.

Best eyeliner product:

Napoleon Perdis Metalslicks Liquid Eyeliner in the shade Money Hunny.

I love this range of eyeliners because the metallic sheen packs so much punch!

You could do the most simple liner look and when the light hits your eye, it beams.

coloured eyeliner coloured eyeliner


How to do this colourful eyeliner: 

Starting on your lid towards the inner corner, draw a half-moon-shaped line that follows the natural shape of your eye.

My lid space is a little bigger because my eyes aren’t deep set, so I like to draw my line in between my crease and the underside of my brow.

If your eyes are more deep set, you can draw your line closer to your crease.

If you don’t have a steady hand, don’t stress!

Take your time and work one section at a time, you don’t have to get the line perfect in one sweep.

Cotton tips and micellar water are essentials to to clean up any mistakes. You can also use concealer applied around your liner with an angled brush for an expertly-snatched look.


Look 2: Graphic Eyeliner.

This cute, geometric look on singer Camila Cabello really accentuates the eye shape.

It's also a really great way to elongate your eye, other than doing a classic cat eye winged liner.

Best eyeliner products:

This eyeliner is so FUN.

Based on the best-selling formulas of the now discontinued/reformulated Napoleon Perdis 'China Doll' liner pots, it's also very versatile.

You can use it with an angled brush as an eyeliner, or blend a bit with your finger or a fluffy brush as a cream eyeshadow.

And once it's on, the formula stays put.

The Tango shade is also not as intimidating (or as eye-infection-y looking) as a standard red liner because it has shimmer going through it.

coloured eyeliner coloured eyeliner


How to do this colourful eyeliner: 

Starting on the outer third of the eye, draw along the lash line and extend out as though you’re drawing an arrow. 

Draw another line to connect it to the lower lash line, creating your first arrow.

Draw a slightly bigger second arrow around the first one, making sure to leave enough of a gap so the definition between the two arrows is obvious.

Draw a third arrow in the inner corner of the eye. You can either stop here, or for extra definition, add a darker shade of liner.

I used MAKE UP FOR EVER Aqua Resist Smoky Shadow to fill in the outer corner along my upper and lower lash line.


Look 3: Dot Eyeliner.

This is the easiest coloured eyeliner makeup look of the three!

All we’re doing here is creating a floating liner, similar to the first, just with dots. If you're feeling ~fancy~ you could even try stick on jewels!

Best eyeliner product:

MAKE UP FOR EVER Aqua Resist Color Pencil in Deep Sea.

This range of MAKE UP FOR EVER eyeliners is so creamy on application, but sets to give you a waterproof finish. 

Heaven for anyone with oily eyelids who want to try graphic liner looks.

This blue colour is beautiful, but not too 'out there'. A great option that feels safe if brown, black or grey liners are normally your thing.

coloured eyeliner coloured eyeliner


How to do this colourful eyeliner: 

Warm up the liner on the back of your hand and do a few practice dots before you get started.

Beginning in the inner corner of the eye, place your first dot above the crease.

Continue adding evenly-spaced dots along in a half-moon shape until you get to the outer corner of your eye. 

Add some dots heading down towards your lash line, essentially closing the shape off to create a wing.

Pro tip: Prep lids with an eyeshadow primer like Anastasia Beverly Hills Mini Eye Primer because the lighter pigment brightens the lids ands holds colour like nothing else.

That’s it! The key to nailing coloured eyeliner is having fun.

Play with different colours and shapes to see how they make your eyes pop, and don’t be intimidated by eyeliner.

It can sense your fear, you know.

And finally, remember, it's just makeup and you can clean it all off!

Want more eyeliner tutorials and tips? Check out these articles below:

    Subscribe for beauty sales, free goodies, advice and SO much more!