How to Pull Off the Inner Corner Eyeliner Trend in 3 Steps

Step 1: Make Sure Your Eye Area Is Clean

Before you get started, you’ll want to be sure that you have no residual skincare products or eye creams left around your eyes, especially along the lash line and inner corner. Doing so will help ensure the longevity of your eyeliner look, says Mellinger.

Step 2: Apply the Eyeliner

Since there’s a lot of room for creativity and customization with the inner corner eyeliner trend, there are not really fixed steps to follow. Depending on what type of eyeliner you choose and exactly what look you’re going for, you may apply the eyeliner a little differently. 

Mellinger likes a liquid liner for graphic eye makeup looks like this one. She advises to let the applicator brush do the work for you and to apply it in a motion parallel to the surface of your skin. “With the tip of the brush facing the nose, lay the tip of the brush down where you want a sharp point just beyond the inner corner and brush inward until you want the color to stop.” Repeat the stroke on your upper lash line, as well. If you want a faded look, you can slowly pull the brush away from your face, or stop the line abruptly for a precise finish. 

Pro tip: If you’re trying a more elaborate liquid liner design, lightly sketch the outline with a brow pencil first. 

You could also use a pencil for a grungier, smudged effect. The Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Waterproof Eyeliner Pencil is our pick, as it comes in tons of fun colors. Simply draw a line of the length you’d like on the top and bottom of the inner corners of your eyes. “You can even smudge it out more with a small smudge brush if you want the color more diffused – just make sure to do it quickly as these long-wear liners set fast,” says Mellinger.           

Finally, if you’re someone who likes to apply eyeliner with your own brushes, you can try a pot of gel or cream liner. “You can use a small smudge brush to lightly sketch [the eyeliner] into the inner corner of the eye,” explains Mellinger. “Use an angled brush for a controlled, graphic shape. Or go full artiste and use a small pointed brush to draw at will.”  

Step 3: Clean Up the Look

Finish by cleaning up any unwanted marks with a cotton swab. Since inner corner eyeliner is all about creating a bold, statement-making look, you’ll want it to look clean.  

And that’s all there is to it! Below, we’ve rounded up some of our favorite versions of the trend to give you some inspo and help you get started. 

Monochromatic Maroon

Makeup artist Katie Jane Hughes proves that burgundy eyeliner isn’t as intimidating as it may seem with this look. If you dare, follow her lead and wear it with a matching lip and rosy blush. We’ll definitely be trying this vampy, cranberry vibe for a holiday party this year. So pretty and festive!

Double Winged Eyeliner

What’s better than one wing? Always two. Luckily, the inner corner wing is much easier to create (just trace along the area) than an outer corner wing.

Blue Streaks

If a full eye traced with a vibrant blue liner seems like a little much, just add pops of the shade on the inner and outer corners like makeup artist Chloe Pultar did here.

Neon Dream

Rowi Singh gets extra credit for adding swipes of pigment to the inner corners after creating an already-impressive neon orange gradient eye.

Contrasting Colors

Choose unexpected contrasting colors like teal and red to really lean into the daring nature of the inner corner eyeliner trend. Here, a red eyeshadow gradient serves as a canvas for a swipe of blue-green liner. 

Pretty Pink

Eye-catching neon pink inner corners make Celina Victoria’s eyes pop. She complemented the pink with shades of blue and finished the look with long, spidery lashes. Try it out yourself with the Maybelline New York TattooStudio Sharpenable Longwear Neon Eyeliner.  

Using a Lip Liner (If Formulated as Safe for the Area)

Makeup artist Jonet Williamson was thinking outside the box when she decided to use a red lip liner as a eyeliner to adorn her inner corners. She added a flick of crimson to the outer corners of her eyes, as well. Remember, as Williamson mentioned in her caption, you’ll only want to try this with a product that’s marked as safe for your eye area. One we love is the Tower28 OneLiner Multi-Liner.

Pops of Color