How to Do Dot Eyeliner

Co-authored by Yuka Arora and Amber Crain

Last Updated: September 16, 2021 References

Dot eyeliner is a makeup trend that’s been enjoying popularity both on and off the runway. The look was briefly popular in the 60s, when the world famous model Twiggy used dot eyeliner to emphasize her eyes and lashes. The look faded away in time, but it’s made a major comeback. Basic dot eyeliner consists of a single dot placed right under the bottom lash line of both eyes, typically right in the center. More experimental looks that play with the number, size, color and placement of the dots have also been a recent beauty trend.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Creating a Basic Double Dot Look

1
Use a waterproof black or brown eyeliner. The most basic, and also most natural looking, dot eyeliner look is created with either brown or black eyeliner. Black is generally preferred if you want to create a doll-like appearance, which is often the aim of this trend.^{[1]
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Research source} To make sure your look stays put, use a waterproof eyeliner.^{[2]
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- Start with brown eyeliner if black feels too dramatic for you.
- Liquid and pencil formulas both work great, although a liquid liner will provide the most control and precision.
Along with using waterproof formulas, prepping your eye area with primer and concealer first will help keep your look long lasting and smudge proof.^{[3]
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Expert Source

Yuka Arora
Makeup Artist

Expert Interview. 30 August 2018.} Apply a primer directly beneath both eyes, taking care to work it all the way up to your lash line. Then, apply a creamy concealer over the primer and blend it in so it looks natural. Dust the area with translucent powder to set the concealer.^{[4]
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3
Draw one dot beneath each eye at the center of your lash line. For the most natural look, create the two dots close to the bottom lash lines. If you want a little more impact, draw the dots a few millimeters away from the lash line. The further you stray from the lash line, the more dramatic and noticeable the results are. The size of the dot is up to you. Draw pinpoints for a bohemian flair; go bigger to create more drama.^{[5]
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- Make sure you line up the dots with your pupils so that everything appears symmetrical.^{[6]
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- Don’t go any larger than the width of a pencil eraser. Anything larger will have a clown-like effect.
4
Get a throwback Twiggy look with exaggerated top lashes. Dot eyeliner enjoyed immense popularity in the 60s because of the model Twiggy, who used the makeup trick to emphasize her lashes and create a wide-eyed, demure look. Apply the dots, then brush several coats of mascara onto your top lashes.
- Normally you’d want to avoid clumps of lashes getting stuck together, but this look is emphasized even more by dramatic “clumps” of top lashes.
5
Keep the rest of your makeup minimal. To avoid looking theatrical (unless that’s what you’re going for!), keep the rest of your makeup simple and fresh-looking. Use foundation or BB cream to even out your skin tone and put on a small amount of blush to give your cheeks a healthy glow. Apply cream eyeshadow in a neutral shade, then shape your eyebrows so that they frame your face in a natural-looking way.^{[7]
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- A bright lip is sometimes worn with this look, or you can go for a nude lip so that all of the emphasis is on your eyes.
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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Experimenting with Colors

1
Try a statement color like orange or bright aqua.^{[8]
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Expert Source

Yuka Arora
Makeup Artist

Expert Interview. 30 August 2018.} While this probably isn’t a look you should do every day, it’s great for a night out or when you’re in the mood to be experimental. The liquid eyeliner comes in a rainbow of colors these days, so you have plenty of options. Bright blue has been popular on the runway, but go with what you like!^{[9]
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- When you’re doing a statement look like this, it’s important to keep the rest of your makeup minimal. Pulling off multiple dramatic makeups looks simultaneously doesn’t typically work well (unless you’re in costume).
2
Try red dots that match your lipstick shade. Experiment with a central shade that you use to pull all of your makeup together, like red. For instance, you could use a cherry red liquid lipstick on your lips and use that same color on your cheeks as a subtle blush, similar to the way you’d use a cream blush on your cheeks. Find a matching cherry red eyeliner to create your dots. It may sound a little over the top, but others have pulled it off – you can, too!^{[10]
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- Your eyeliner and blush don't need to be an exact match with your lipstick shade. You can experiment with different shades of red, like coral and crimson.
^{[11]
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Expert Source

Yuka Arora
Makeup Artist

Expert Interview. 30 August 2018.} Liquid eyeliners in metallic shades like gold, silver and bronze have become popular in recent years, so they’re not hard to find at drugstores and beauty supply shops. Create a unique look by using them for dot eyeliner. Try creating barely perceptible pinpoints with metallic shades for a unique sparkle.^{[12]
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Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Experimenting with Placement

Dot eyeliner has become so popular that almost everything has been road tested already, including using more than two dots. For instance, you can create the first two dots as you normally would, then add one (or even two) more right beneath those in descending size. It creates a fade out effect that can look really cool.^{[13]
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2
Put dots in places other than under your eyes. Break all the rules and go wild with your placement! Start with the typical two dots beneath your eyes, and then add them at the inner and outer corners of your eyes, too. This can create even more emphasis on your eyes and yield very interesting results. Try using a metallic shade at the inner and outer corners.^{[14]
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- You can also create a line of dots above your eyebrows.
- Try making a cat eye using a series of dots.
- For a simple variation, place a dot under the arch on each of your eyebrows.
3
Vary the color and placement of your dots. There are no rules when it comes to makeup, especially when you’re experimenting and having fun. If you’re a makeup lover, you may have already seen this look floating around on Instagram. Create the first two dots in one color. Use another color to make smaller dots beneath that. Use yet another color beneath that, then add dots at the inner and outer corners of your eyes in the third color.^{[15]
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- You can also try a more monochrome approach. Create the first dots in a dark color, then the next dots in a lighter shade of the same color, then dots in a shade that’s lighter still.^{[16]
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- Create the dots in descending size for a fade out effect in both size and gradient.
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How can I do sixties eyeliner?

Community Answer

Just look up a tutorial on 60's eyeliner or pictures of sixties eyeliner styles and try to emulate it.

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