It’s the cat’s meow! Sir John, a brand ambassador for L’Oréal Paris, wants to help you achieve your best cat eye ever … even if you’re a beginner. The celebrity makeup artist, who frequently works with the likes of Beyoncé, Serena Williams and Karlie Kloss, visited Amazon’s Style Code Live on Thursday, August 25, to demonstrate just how it’s done.
Before swiping and applying, Sir John acknowledged the history of the look. “As a makeup artist, you need to know references,” he said, noting that cat eyes were seen as far back as 48 B.C.E. in ancient Egypt, and that the first liquid liner was released in the 1960s. And luckily, the trend has continued to this day.
From left: L’Oréal Voluminous Feline Liner Noir in Blackest Black ($10, lorealparisusa.com), Q-tips Precision Tips cotton swabs ($9 for three 170-count packs, amazon.com), L’Oréal Voluminous Feline waterproof mascara ($9, lorealparisusa.com)
Lately, Sir John turns to L’Oréal Voluminous Feline Liner Noir in Blackest Black ($10, lorealparisusa.com) to achieve the winged line. “I love how it grips,” he said. “It’s like a fountain pen. It’s easy to manipulate, it’s easy to operate.”
Using small strokes, he composed one long horizontal line on his model, then cleaned up the line with an angled Q-tip, while extending the shape out. “It gives you a very beautiful shape,” he added.
Instead of using one line, Sir John suggests drawing short strokes across the lash line for better results. “You’re never going to get a great wing if you try to do it all in one stroke,” he said. “Don’t be afraid to pull this on out.”
He finished by coating the model’s eyelashes with L’Oréal Voluminous Feline waterproof mascara ($9, lorealparisusa.com). For a sense of dimension, concentrate the product on the outer edges of your eyes for a true feline silhouette.
Don’t fret if your lines look a little bit uneven. “They’re supposed to be sisters, not twins,” he said. “As long as you’re going to the same party.”
Although a classic winged eye never goes out of style, Sir John revealed that he’s adapting a new technique for the fall. “It’s all about lifting liners,” he revealed. “Creating a lot of emphasis on the outer edges of the eyes. We’re creating an almond shape, but on steroids!”
