Every product on this page was chosen by a Harper's BAZAAR editor. We may earn commission on some of the items you choose to buy.
Eyeliner has always been a key component of a makeup look—especially once masks became part of the uniform. But the best eyeliner looks require a little time, effort, and skill. A swipe of colored liner stands out in a crowd, while classic winged liner is all over TikTok. Ahead, we've rounded up 24 effortlessly cool eyeliner looks to road-test when you feel like making your eyes the star of the show.
1
Cool Blue
Dark blue speaks volumes while still feeling somewhat neutral. Try a wing—or if you’ve mastered that, add a thin line along your crease for a bold look like Jodie Turner-Smith's.
2
Coral Crush
You don't need to create a full line to pack a punch. Stick to colors that stand out like Khloé Kardashian's coral and draw a small line on your crease stopping at your pupil. For a softer effect, buff the line out with a similar-colored shadow.
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
3
Cult Classic
When in doubt, go for a simple black wing like Sydney Sweeney's. Use a felt-tip liner so you can easily adjust the thickness based on how much pressure you apply.
4
Foil Finish
Consider it the Euphoria effect, but colored liner is one of the hottest styles for 2022. This purple Revlon Liquid Eyeliner has a felt tip (perfect for eyeliner novices) and leaves a subtle metallic finish.
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
5
Rainbow Eyes
Why pick one color when you can showcase an array of hues? Try a rainbow of colors, shown here, or opt for different shades of a single color. Top the liner with a matching shadow to add vibrancy and staying power.
6
Back to Mod
Channel the '60s with this graphic winged liner seen on Olivia Rodrigo that's easier than it looks. The trick to a perfect point: Use a precession liner and pointed Q-tip for (inevitable) cleanup.
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
7
Frosted Tips
Channel the '90s with an icy blue eyeliner, which winks to the decade without going full frosted blue eye shadow. To make the blue pop, apply a black liner in your upper waterline and a soft pink shadow on your lid.
8
Smoke Show
Follow Emily Ratajkowski's lead and go for the modern smoky eye: Blend out a liner into a wing shape on your upper and lower lash lines for a dramatic effect.
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
9
Straight to the Point
This runway eyeliner look from the fall/winter 2022 Christian Siriano show by Charlotte Tilbury is giving major Matrix vibes. Makeup artist Sofia Tilbury added this cornflower blue hue (a mix of Eye Colour Magic Liner Duo in Super Blue and concealer) on the lid right below the crease and finished with a swipe of black eyeliner for the perfect contrast.
10
Blinged Out
We said it once, we'll say it again: Euphoria eyes are all the rage now. A simple way to dive into the trend is to add a few gemstones to the outer corner of your eye to complement a simple black wing.
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
11
Neon Lights
Emma Chamberlain's Met Gala 2021 liner was arguably the main attraction of her look that night. Adding a pop of neon to the center of the lash line and the inner corner lightens up a black smoky eye.
12
Quick Flick
Searching for an everyday eye-makeup look? Look no further. This soft baby wing can be done in a few seconds. The key is not to be too precious about it: Quickly flick your pencil upward, following your bottom lash line, for an effortless wing.
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
13
Emerald Eyes
Emerald green makes eyes pop and is the perfect transition shade for summer to fall. This metallic halo eye version is too pretty not to re-create.
14
Paint the Town
Accentuate your eye shape with neon liner in your inner corner. The bright color brings the focus to your eyes and makes you look more awake.
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
15
Grunge Girl
Zoë Kravitz is the ultimate cool girl, and this look embodies that. To re-create, smudge a kohl pencil with a brush—or your finger for a more lived-in effect—and finish by lining your upper and bottom waterlines. To prevent your look from running, add black shadow on top.
16
Waterline Comeback
Bottom liner is making a comeback (we can thank tastemakers like Rihanna and Lupita Nyong'o), but in a colorful way. Just one swipe of bright line can make an impact.
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
17
Reverse Liner
Reverse eyeliner isn't just for Coachella. To balance the smudged, smoky bottom, keep the top lash line clean with just a swipe of mascara.
18
Shimmer Shades
Bold color mixed with sparkle feels fresh. Apply a glitter shadow across your entire lid up to your brow bone and a swipe of colored liner. Try the same hue as the sparkle shade for a monochromatic look.
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
19
Shadow Liner
If you prefer moodier looks, buff out your eyeliner so it appears softer than a harsh line. Try a gel liner, which has more time to work with than liquid or kohl textures, celebrity makeup artist Jamie Greenberg says.
20
In Between
An easy way to incorporate color into an eye look? Sandwich bright color between two black swipes of eyeliner. Buff out the edges with a beige shadow for an effortless look.