Since dropping four new songs on Friday and then a music video starring Dakota Johnson on Sunday, Taylor Swift is all any of my friends can talk about at the moment – and I've been chiming in too, but thanks to her makeup look rather than her (somewhat questionable) new songs.
On Sunday night, Taylor attended the VMAs, picking up three awards, and while she dazzled in her Tamara Ralph Haute Couture dress, I couldn't take my eyes off her makeup.
© Kevin Mazur/Getty ImagesIn a departure from her usual solid black winged liner, Taylor opted for a disconnected graphic eyeliner look, complemented by white liner in her inner eye – and it might just be her best look yet.
So good in fact, that Madonna wore the exact same eye makeup, proving it works whether you're 30-something like Taylor, or 60-something like Madonna. So as Taylor says in her new song, Patient Zero, let's get into it.
© CBS via Getty ImagesDisconnected eyeliner
Taylor and Madonna both opted for a modern take on statement liner, using a disconnected technique to add definition and drama without overwhelming the eyes.
"If you join the top and bottom liner into one dark point, you can close the eye in, but leave a bit of space, and the shape looks more open – clever, really!" says SUQQU Senior Make-up Artist Jorge Balzaretti. "It's a tiny detail, but it does a lot of work."
© Getty"When the upper and lower eyeliner don't meet, it creates more space and breaks up the darkness and creates the open eye look," confirms Drita Paljevic, Director of Artistry and Makeup at Kevyn Aucoin.
"The graphic placement gives the look a fresh, editorial feel, while the lighter liner helps keep the overall effect bright and eye-opening," explains Boots Senior Beauty Specialist Lucy Ainsworth.
© GettyOn why it's such a flattering look, Lucy explains: "Disconnected eyeliner is flattering because you can use the placement of the liner to enhance and visually lift the natural shape of the eye, rather than simply tracing all the way around it."
She notes that leaving strategic areas of the eye free from dark liner can make the finished look feel lighter and more open.
While Taylor's usual black eyeliner is her signature look, dark liner drawn continuously around the eye can sometimes make the eyes appear smaller. "By breaking up the line and concentrating definition in specific areas, disconnected liner creates the illusion of more space around the eye, helping them look wider and more awake."
All white eyeliner
White eyeliner on the inner rim of our eyes is a trick as old as time for looking white awake – Victoria Beckham often speaks of it, and Sabrina Carpenter is rarely seen without white liner.
"The contrast between black and white eyeliner makes the eye appear larger and enhances the lifted look," says Drita, while Lucy calls it "a brilliant trick" for instantly brightening the eye area. "Used along the waterline or strategically around the eye, it creates contrast and gives the illusion of a larger, brighter-looking eye. It's particularly effective alongside darker liner because the contrast makes the look feel really crisp and defined."
How to rock the disconnected look
Start small and work with your own eye shape, advises Lucy.
"Rather than trying to create one continuous line, focus on adding definition where you want to lift or elongate the eye, then leave some areas deliberately bare.
"A fine eyeliner pencil or precise liquid liner gives you plenty of control. For a more wearable take on the trend, pair a dark liner at the outer corner with a cream or nude liner along the waterline. It gives you that bright-eyed effect while still feeling really easy to wear."
Jorge adds: "If your eyelid has a fold, or the skin around your eyes moves a little when you apply liner, try drawing the shape with your eyes open and looking straight ahead. Keep the top wing short, then place the lower line just beneath it so you can still see that little gap. A fine brush and eyeshadow make it much easier to soften or adjust as you go."
Gel-based liners are best for graphic work such as this - try Kevyn Aucoin's The Precision Eye Definer, £33, or the 17. Gel Eyeliner, £3.50.
If you prefer to use pencil liners, Lucy recommend the MAC Eye Kohl Pencil, £17.85. As for white liner, I always use Charlotte Tilbury's Super Nudes Liner Duo, £26, which is actually nude rather than white, for my light liner.
