If you’ve struggled to nail your eyeliner, try this fail-safe trick for a steady hand

We are taking a well-earned break from minimal make-up (hooray!), bringing eyeliner to the fore once again. If the recent European runways are a reliable guide, anything goes – from fail-safe black or nude pencils drawn on the inner rim to double cat eyes in shades of loden green, ice-blue and rich plum.

The emphasis this season is on lower liner. This is easy to achieve using a fine-liner pencil – ensure your tip is always sharpened – such as Make Up For Ever Aqua Resist Waterproof Eyeliner ($42).

For a chubbier, baby-soft version, seek out Laura Mercier Caviar Stick Eye Color Shimmer ($57) to create a cool, grungy feel. For precision effect, use a liquid pen, which is great for micro flips (or wings) – our current obsession. Try M.A.C Prismatica Liquid Eye Liner ($52).

Because the skin under the eye is quite mobile and you don’t want your liner migrating, try Make Up For Ever Color Pencils ($41). Though they’re technically lip liners, they work well on eyes and only take a moment to set.

Some of our favourite interpretations of this look at recent runways include Aespa band member Giselle, who sported a soft take in the front row at Loewe, and the models at Saint Laurent, with make-up by Pat McGrath. Celine showcased 1960s-style mod lower liners, while at Dior, clear skin was paired with a smudged “reverse liner” along the lower line.

To nail any eyeliner-led look, prepping is key, so prime the under-eye area with concealer and a touch of setting powder first. A trick for steady application is to plant your elbow on a firm surface, rest your chin on your hand, and look slightly down into a magnifying mirror. Always draw the flick first, then connect it back to your lower lash line. Work the pencil right into the roots of the lower lashes and tightline by adding the liner onto the inner lash line.

For a modern take, slightly smudge the outer edge of the lower liner. It helps to use an eyeliner brush; we love Bobbi Brown Ultra Precise Eye Liner Brush ($60). To clean up any mishaps, use a micro-fine pointed cotton bud dipped in Bioderma Sensibio H2O ($34).

Make-up artist Charlotte Tilbury has a tip for creating the classic “feline eye”, advising us to “follow an invisible line from the lower lash line up to the tail of the brow”. This reverse cat eye will create the most flattering shape and lift and, says Tilbury, has “all the drama sitting underneath the eye rather than on the top”.

ASK STEPH

Should I change my pedicure routine for winter?

Definitely. Start by removing old polish, then soak feet in warm water with Epsom salts and work them over with an exfoliator. Trim nails straight across and file the edges to soften them. Then gently push back the cuticles. Next, make an appointment with a podiatrist for a full foot and nail workout. We love PoshPod in Sydney and Melbourne Foot Clinic.

Send questions via Instagram, @mrssdarling.

Get the best of Sunday Life magazine delivered to your inbox every Sunday morning. Sign up here for our free newsletter.