A black cat eye is a classic makeup look, but sometimes we need to switch things up a bit. You can try experimenting with new ways to wing your eyeliner or swapping inky eyeliner for a more colorful option. If you’re still feeling that you’re in a bit of an eyeliner rut, you’re going to love the floating eyeliner look.
Floating eyeliner, or invisible eyeliner, uses negative space to create a flicked look. Bold eyeshadows and eyeliners are applied around the area where the flick would be, creating an outline as opposed to drawing the shape on directly. Alternatively, you can experiment with the faster method of using foundation or a neutral eyeliner on top of your colorful shadows to create your flick. If that all sounds complicated, but it’s easier than it looks. If you can reasonably contour, you can do floating liner.
No matter which option you select, there are countless different versions of floating eyeliner to try. Here are some gorgeous invisible eyeliner looks that will make you want to put down that black liquid liner stat.
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24 Invisible Eyeliner Looks That Are As Pretty As Your Cat Eye
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Basic Division
This floating eyeliner look is like a work of art. The diagonal green line ensures that the invisible liner doesn't get lost in the mix of purple, white and brown.
Image: @ruthelizt
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Best of Everything
Can't bear the thought of leaving black eyeliner out of your look? This clever idea incorporates black liquid liner with the floating eyeliner technique by using the black to outline the "invisible" shape. Red sparkle and flirty lashes are added for good measure.
Image: @fabycarreon
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Sunset
The floating eyeliner may be the key detail, but it still offers plenty of freedom to experiment with different eyeshadows and liners. Here, the warm pink shadow juxtaposed with the blue eyeliner is reminiscent of a pretty summer sunset.
Image: @mypinkobsession_r96
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Thin Red Line
A floating line accented by a shot of red is the perfect alternative to a black cat eye. Notice the way the soft red shadow in the crease helps tie in the purple shadow on the lid?
Image: @idahmua
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Sharp Shape
Use a fine-tipped eyeshadow brush to achieve this sharp, clean look using just one or two shades of shadow.
Image: @makeupbykarinareyna
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Extended Cut
Don't be afraid to go long with your invisible eyeliner look and extend the shape beyond the outer corners of your eyes. Make the most of the line by using contrasting shadows on the top and bottom.
Image: @beautybyblairmua
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Flicked Out
Can't get enough of the cut crease look? Floating eyeliner is the same concept, just on a different part of the eye. It's great for experimenting with different shadow colors, like this rainbow look.
Image: @jennyleigh__
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Golden Touch
This is a look you could never create with black eyeliner. The angle of the invisible liner guarantees a wide-awake look and that thin gold line brings out all of the different tones in your eyes.
Image: @lalipawp
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Float Up
Think beyond cat eye flicks and experiment with different angles and shapes. Increase the angle of your floating line so that it points up toward the arch of your brows as opposed to the outer corners. It will instantly perk up your face —no energizing sheet mask required.
Image: @sunkissednubian
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Blue's Clues
There's no bad angle with this invisible eyeliner. The shimmering blue eyeshadow ensures that the edges of the flick are clearly visible. Plus, the sparkle makes the look perfect for evening.
Image: @makeupby_queen
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Feeling Hot
Red isn't just for lips — and red shadow plus gold glitter equals a fiery look that is hot, hot, hot.
Image: @bb_carrie
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Not So Invisible
Floating eyeliner works on eyes of all shapes and sizes. The trend is all about playing around with looks that suit your eyes and working with the products you have in your makeup bag.
Image: @lienjae
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Pop of Pink
Don't default to a smoky eye for evening. Switch things up with this fun invisible eyeliner look. It combines pink shadow, glitter and floating liner to create a flirty finish.
Image: @volk.beauty
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Red-y, Set, Go
This is the look that will convince you to try red eye makeup. The exaggerated floating liner, sparkly accent and gradient red shadow are perfect for evening.
Image: @anythingbutmarzipan
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Long and Strong
Now that is one major flick. The silver liner dots along the upper edge actually help disguise any uneven lines. You can also correct any mistakes as you're going with a cotton bud dipped in makeup remover or some concealer.
Image: @krissiikiwii
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Divide and Conquer
You'll be surprised by just how many different colored "sections" you can create on your eyes when you start playing around. We've got red, green, gold, burgundy, invisible eyeliner and some dramatic faux lashes in this look. And it all works.
Image: @dccharged_
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White There
The white liquid liner isn't the "invisible" part — notice the sliver of exposed skin on the outer corner of the eye. The white liner and brown shadow work with the floating liner brilliantly.
Image: @evajailers
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Siren Stare
The different colored shadows are doing amazing things for her brown eyes, but they also help make the floating liner pop. The stroke of red on the lower waterline is a gorgeous surprise.
Image: @tiffanychapman_mua
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Float Your Boat
If you want your floating liner to be more visible than invisible, draw on top of the area with a white liquid liner. Then throw in some pink shadow just because.
Image: @callmechim
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Keep It Simple
Remember that it is sometimes the simpler looks that make the boldest statements. This floating liner flick isn't as large as others and it doesn't use as many colors, but it's stunning all the same.
Image: @lucypagemakeup
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Straight Across
The majority of invisible liner looks start about midway on the lid, but this one takes a different approach. It has the line extending from the inner corner of the eye all the way across to the outer corner, then up toward the brow.
Image: @drizzyyydrakeeeee
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Layered Affair
Here's proof that you can rock almost every eyeliner trend in one makeup look. We have floating liner, glitter liner and your trusty black flick.
Image: @evajailers
