This Liner Trick Instantly Lifts The Eyes & Makes Them Look Wider

One liner technique, in particular, has set many hearts aflutter—not only is it incredibly easy to learn but it also elongates your eyes and makes them appear wide-awake. Here, a tutorial for the beloved double liner.

A "double liner" look is exactly how it sounds: Instead of one basic flick, you're adding a second parallel line to create some negative space. (Some also call it "fishtail liner," as the shape resembles the floating body of a fish.) 

And as we referenced above, these sculpted lines effectively lift and widen the eye area, a helpful trick that flatters any eye shape and makes it pop. There are tons of ways to spice it up (we'll explain more below), but the foundation of fishtail liner really only takes a few steps: 

From there, you can elevate the look however you please—that's what makes this liner look so versatile and playful. "The real fun of a fishtail liner look comes from the unlimited number of innovative ways in which you can experiment with product types to achieve different color and textural elements," Compton says. For example, she recommends using a bright-colored liner to make the orbs pop (like this blue liquid liner from PYT), tapping on holographic glitter pigments to add some drama (Exa's Light Show Color Melt Pigments are especially eye-catching), or coloring in the lines with a vibrant shadow. 

If you're a graphic liner novice, double or "fishtail" liner is a great place to start. "The result looks intricate and tedious, but it is quick and easy to master," notes Compton, and there are tons of ways to make it your own.