Winging it

From bold, arched stripes at Lanvin to graphic lines at Altazurra and feminine cat eyes at Ralph Lauren, designers rallied around the winged eyeliner trend for this autumn.

"Fashion Week wouldn't be Fashion Week without black eyeliner," says James Molloy, regional director of make-up artistry at M.A.C. "The difference this season is that it's a little more angular, inspired by architecture and graphic lines. It's still beautiful, but just a bit of a different shape this season."

Make-up artist Ho recommends a liquid eyeliner pen to recreate the look. "It's easy to draw on and control the thickness," she says.

The season's newest pens include Lunasol's Intellectual Liquid Eyeliner - a sharp-pointed option available in brown, brownish-black and greenish-grey - and Estée Lauder's Pure Colour Quick-Thick Eyeliner, a dramatic black shade with a marker-like tip that can be applied thinly or thickly.

Those with a steadier hand can try a gel formula such as M.A.C's Fluidline or a cake formula such as Laura Mercier's new Tightline with a fine-tipped brush.

"To keep your eyeliner wings even, follow the lower lash line up," Ho says. "This technique takes practice, and you will probably have to try a few times before you're satisfied with the way it looks. Simply use a Q-tip and some eye make-up remover and try again."

As with most dramatic eye looks, the experts recommend keeping the rest of the face simple. "The classic go-to is still bold eyes and downplayed lips," Ho says. "Instead of a bright lip colour that would stand out at work, go for a stained lip. Apply the pigment with your fingers or use a lip pencil and neutral gloss."