How to Master Puppy Eyeliner, According to a Makeup Artist

Step 1: Apply Pencil Eyeliner

The most distinctive thing about puppy dog eyes is the shape. The key is in how you apply the eyeliner. Traditionally you might find that most eyeliner is applied in an upward motion on the eye and outer corners, yet for this specific trend, you're going to want to apply the liner in a downward curve, instead.

You can use gel or pencil liners for this look. I'm starting with Urban Decay's 24/7 Glide-On Waterproof Eyeliner in Bourbon ($22) to draw my shape. Since my eyes are almond-shaped, I'm focusing on making sure that you can tell the eyeliner slopes down and doesn't look like a traditional cat-eye. No matter your eye shape, just follow the natural curvature of your eyes as a guide.

Step 2: Connect and Smudge

After you've applied the top liner, move on to the bottom with the same pencil and connect the two. Then, smudge it out using an eyeshadow brush or your finger. You'll want to stop in the center of the lash line and not carry it all the way over to the inner corners.

"I prefer to line the lower lashes with a kohl liner and bring it out to meet the gel liner by smudging it out giving a soft smokey effect," Jaber adds. "The kohl gives a softer look for everyday wear and you can build it up and make it more of a dramatic smoked-out puppy eye if you want."

Step 3: Outline with Liquid Liner

To intensify the look, add liquid eyeliner on top of the gel or pencil liner you already applied to add depth and darken the color. You can repeat this same step on the bottom liner but it's not necessary. Just remember to follow the shape of the liner so that it looks polished.

If you need some practice using a liquid eyeliner, starting with a felt-tip one might ease you into the process more easily. I am using Charlotte Tilbury's Feline Flick Liner Pen ($30) on top of the eyeliner I've already applied.

Step 4: Sweep on Eyeshadow

When it comes to makeup, it's mostly about having fun than getting super technical, so you can either add your eyeshadow before you've done your liner or after for the puppy dog eyes trend. I chose to apply my shadow after to the crease just to add some nice dimension and contour. You can wear any colors you choose, but natural, more earth-toned shadows will not take away from the eyeliner which is the main attraction for this look. If eyeliner and eyeshadow tend to crease or smudge on you during the day, apply a shadow primer all over the top lid and let it dry down before moving on to the rest of your eye makeup.

Step 5: Intensify Your Lashes

Adding a great mascara to finish the look helps aid in creating the round shape. Apply a few coats of mascara to the top and bottom lashes until you feel the look is complete. I'm applying Kjaer Weis Im-Possible Mascara ($26) for volume, length, and separation.

If you want to step things up a bit and wear this look with false eyelashes, that's even better. Why do you ask? Jaber recommends pairing this look with false lashes because it will really enhance the round shape, "I like to use the Lash Star Visionary Lash 002 ($28) because the longest length is in the center, giving you a rounder eye that helps accentuate the look even further. Eyes are opened in just in the right place giving you an exaggerated puppy eye look."

Step 6: Make Any Edits

Congrats—You have now reached full puppy dog eyes status. Before you head out, take a look at your finished look, make any edits you feel like, and continue to wear this trend wherever you want, because we think it looks amazing on you.