It doesn’t matter what make-up trend you throw at me, in (or on) my eyes, nothing will ever beat the feline flick. There is nothing else like it to elongate eyes and create an arresting gaze, plus, it’s the perfect look for both daytime and evening. I join a number of celebrities (past and present) in holding it close to my heart: Alexa Chung, Sophia Loren, Zoë Kravitz, and Amy Winehouse are just a handful of the high-profile women who have made the flick their signature.
While most of us automatically opt for black liquid liners (or, indeed, kohl pencils), lately I’ve been opting for chocolate brown instead. There is something about the softer hue that feels more forgiving on days when my skin is feeling lacklustre, or when I simply don’t want to make the sort of statement that dramatic black inevitably creates. And, as we move into autumn, it’ll become my weapon of choice for a cold complexion, and the perfect partner for oxblood manicures and rosy cheeks.
Thankfully, Jamie Genevieve—the founder of Vieve—recently created a brown liquid liner in response to demand from her legions of followers (I very much count myself among their number). Joining her brand’s original black Power Ink Liner, the dark brown shade is super forgiving and helps to frame the eyes, without being too stark—it’s my new favorite liner.
“Black mascara looks good on everyone, but black eyeliner can sometimes look too strong,” she tells me, explaining that brown is a shade that suits and enhances all eye colors. “What I love about brown is that psychologically it feels less of a commitment, so it’s great for practicing your flick, or other graphic shapes. It’s just not as harsh as black.” She also uses hers to dot in little freckles and beauty marks on her face, which I am yet to try, but love the idea of.
I’ll never permanently give up my trusty black liner, but the addition of a brown formula has shaken up my repertoire a bit, and helped me to create new, softer looks with little to no fuss.
