Go Boldly with a White Eyeliner Look

a dark haired woman with white eyeliner creases and eye gems

Bold, retro, and undeniably fun, white eyeliner is at the vanguard of so many modern makeup looks. With the recent resurgence of all things 70s, this look is back with a vengeance–with lots of updated twists. Whether you want to emphasize your dark eyes, add a touch of ghostly glamor, or make your eyes appear larger, white eyeliner has you covered. Is there anything she can’t do?

Feast your eyes on these white eyeliner looks to find your next statement.

White Eyeliner with Black Eyeliner

two Black women with black and white winged eyeliner

If you’re not sure you want to take the plunge into a fully white eyeliner look, use it to enhance the black eyeliner you usually wear. Try doubling up by adding a white line on top of your black eyeliner wing for emphasis. White eyeliner on dark skin tones is especially flattering, so combine it with your usual eye makeup when you want to make a big impression. A black and white liquid eyeliner set ($7) is the perfect combo to get this look.

White Eyeliner Wing

a woman with elaborate white winged eyeliner

A sharp cut eyeliner wing is a timeless statement, and using white eyeliner gives it a surprising update. Use a liquid eyeliner pen ($11) to get that perfect, crisp look. Keep it subtle and delicate, or draw a dramatic arc if you’re feeling fearless. This look opens up a lot of avenues for experimentation, so don’t be afraid to get creative.

White Eyeliner Lower Lash Line

a woman with white eyeliner on her lower lash line

This white eyeliner trick makes your eyes appear larger and wider by extending the “whites” of your eyes to the waterline. You’ll want a good waterproof pencil for this, and the best white eyeliner pencil for the waterline has got to be the white Maybelline Tattoo Studio Eyeliner Pencil ($8). We love the silky texture and 36-hour wear–and the value.

White Eyeliner and White Mascara

a woman with light brown eyes wearing white mascara and eyeliner with red lipstick

There’s nothing like subverting expectations, and pairing white mascara ($13) and white eyeliner definitely fits the bill. This ghostly effect is pure magic that will make brown eyes pop like never before. Watch out for whiplash because this white mascara look is bound to turn a few heads.

White Glitter Eyeliner

black and white photo of a woman with white eyeliner, eye gems, and glitter on her cheeks

White liner always brightens up your look, and adding a touch of sparkle enhances that light, airy effect. Go for a glittery liquid eyeliner, or add a bit of loose glitter or highlighter around your browbones or under your eyes for a subtle fairy dust shimmer. This one ($8) is sheer and light for a touch of glitter that would look stunning alone or on top of black eyeliner.

Black and White Eyeliner Look

Use a long-lasting eyeliner like this Urban Decay white eyeliner pencil ($23) to create a wing and then add a hint of black around your eyes to show it off using a kohl or gel pencil. A swipe of black mascara will make this multifaceted look really shine. This style would go great with a 70s glam aesthetic, or even a casual outfit.

White Eyeliner Creases

a woman with white eyeliner in the creases of her eyes

This bold, retro-inspired look can be easily achieved with a swipe of liquid white eyeliner. Use it to draw attention to your dark eyes and add a whimsical 60s touch to your look that would be fabulous with a black sheath dress. If you’ve been looking for a way to inject some vintage style into your goth aesthetic, this cute eyeliner look has plenty of attitude. To achieve this funky off-white look, grab the NYX Eyeliner Pencil in Honeydew ($7).

White Eyeshadow Look

a woman wearing white eyeshadow and red lipstick

Intense pigmentation meets all-over application in this surprisingly easy eyeliner look. This eye-catching effect can be achieved with a jumbo white eyeliner pencil ($6) like this NYX white eyeliner–no eyeshadow required. Pair it with a bold red lip for some killer style that will breathe new life into an all-black outfit.

White Eyeliner in Corner of Eye

a young woman with black and white eyeliner and a nose ring

Another clever white eyeliner use is to highlight the corners of your eyes. A dainty touch of white eyeliner pencil just inside the corners of your eyes adds a brightening effect that makes you look more awake, or you can be bold with a stripe of liquid eyeliner to contrast a black eyeliner look, and even add dots or curlicues.

White Eyeliner for Blue Eyes

a woman with curly hair and blue eyes wearing white eyeliner

While it is most often used to enhance dark eyes, people with blue eyes can also reap the benefits of a touch of white eyeliner. Use it on the waterline and directly around your eyes to add a burst of brightness to your makeup look, and finish with black eyeliner for definition. The white color will pull focus to your irises and add a fresh look.

Whether you want a bold statement or a subtle enhancement, white eyeliner belongs in your arsenal. Black eyeliner will always be my number one beloved, but there are some great effects you can create with white eyeliner that are right at home in a goth aesthetic. Try it and see how a hint of light can add dimension to your inner darkness.

For even more eyeliner inspo, check out this collection of 7 Black Eyeliner Ideas to Vamp Up Your Gothic Aesthetic.