Purple eyeliner is a surprisingly versatile tool in any makeup collection, offering a sophisticated alternative to the classic black or brown. It has the unique ability to enhance the natural colour of your eyes, creating a look that is both modern and refreshingly youthful. Whether you prefer a deep plum or a bright lavender, learning to incorporate this colour into your routine can elevate your eye makeup from everyday to extraordinary. It's all about understanding the right techniques for soft application and harmonious colour pairings.
Why Choose a Shade of Purple?
Unlike black liner, which can sometimes appear harsh, purple offers a softer, more flattering definition. The colour spectrum of purple holds shades that complement every eye colour. Violets and lavenders make green and hazel eyes appear more vibrant, while deep plums and aubergines add incredible depth and warmth to brown eyes. Blue eyes can be beautifully contrasted with a reddish-purple shade. Furthermore, certain purple tones have blue or red undertones that can help to counteract sallowness in the skin and make the whites of the eyes appear brighter, contributing to a more awake and rested appearance.
Finding Your Perfect Purple
Choosing the right purple is key to a successful look. Consider your skin's undertone as a guide:
- Cool Undertones: If your skin has pink or blue undertones, you'll look wonderful in cooler purples like lavender, lilac, and true violet.
- Warm Undertones: For those with golden, peachy, or yellow undertones, warmer purples such as plum, aubergine, and magenta will be incredibly flattering.
- Neutral Undertones: If you have a neutral undertone, you have the flexibility to experiment with the entire spectrum of purple shades.
Mastering the Art of the Soft Line
A sharp, graphic wing can be striking, but a soft, smudged line provides a more modern and wearable look, especially for daytime. This technique is forgiving for beginners and adds a subtle smokiness that enhances the eye shape without being overpowering. The goal is to define the lash line with a halo of colour rather than a stark line.
How to Achieve a Smudged Effect
Follow these simple steps for a beautifully blended eyeliner application:
- Prepare the pencil: If using a pencil liner, warm the tip slightly on the back of your hand. This softens the product, allowing it to glide on more smoothly and blend with ease.
- Apply in short strokes: Instead of drawing one continuous line, apply the eyeliner in short dashes as close to the upper lash line as possible. Don't worry about making it perfectly neat at this stage.
- Smudge immediately: Before the eyeliner sets, use a small, dense smudging brush, a cotton bud, or even your clean fingertip to gently smudge and soften the line. Work the colour slightly upwards and outwards to create a diffused, smoky effect.
- Build the intensity: For a more dramatic look, you can reapply another layer of liner close to the lashes and smudge again, concentrating the darkest colour at the root of the lashes.
Harmonious Pairings: Combining Purple with Browns
One of the most elegant ways to wear purple eyeliner is by pairing it with neutral brown eyeshadows. This combination is sophisticated and timeless, allowing the purple to provide a pop of colour without overwhelming the look. The warmth of the brown provides a perfect backdrop that makes the purple hue stand out in a refined way.
Creating a Balanced Look
Here are a few ideas for combining these shades:
- For a subtle daytime look: Apply a light matte taupe or soft beige eyeshadow all over the eyelid. Then, trace a thin line of plum or deep violet eyeliner along the upper lash line and smudge it gently. This defines the eyes beautifully while remaining office-appropriate.
- For an elegant evening look: Start by applying a medium matte brown into the crease of the eye to add depth. Sweep a shimmery bronze or copper eyeshadow across the lid. Finish with a thicker, smudged line of rich purple eyeliner along both the upper and lower lash lines for a sultry, multi-dimensional effect.
- The technique matters: Always apply your brown eyeshadows first, blending them well. The eyeliner should be the last step to define the eye shape. This ensures the purple colour remains crisp and doesn't get muddied by the eyeshadow.
