Yes, double eyeliner's back - and here's how to pull it off
In the early noughties, wearing a fully rimmed black liner around your eyes was ‘it’. Smudged, cool, lived-in peepers that came with a shrug of the shoulders in a ‘whatever’ vibe. Fast forward to the Kate Middleton (before she became The Duchess of Cambridge) era and the eyeliner took on a chicer, more reserved guise. It was applied with precision and skill and jet-black was replaced with taupe shades for a softer finish.
And in 2025 the pendulum swings back again, to the eyeliner having another revival. Celebrities from Keira Knightley, Elizabeth Debicki and Nicola Coughlan are trying it out, but it’s how Lesley Manville works the look, that we’re most excited about.
She’s doubled up on eyeliner but in a very clever way to ensure that the liner on her bottom lash line isn’t too heavy or ageing. You’ll notice that the liner used in the lower waterline is a bronzy-brown shade, in contrast to the denser black liner used on her top lash line. This creates an ‘open-eyed’ effect, to really snatch and elongate her eyes. Paired with a red lip ensures the complete look appears modern and cool.
The key to getting this look right is the pencil you use. Look for a smudgy, soft pencil that has a high pigment and will glide on easily. Trinny London’s Line2Define, £24 comes in flattering, slightly shimmery shades and last. Then there’s the already iconic Victoria Beckham Satin Kajal Liner, £32 that comes in a host of earthy, neutral tones.
Make sure you sharpen pencils regularly for a fine-tipped nib. Start with the top lid, using a ‘connect-the-dots’ method; line the eye in tiny, short strokes. Then blend out with a Q-tip. For the lower waterline, gently pull down the bottom lid and apply eyeliner in a similar way to the top lid - in gentle, short lines. For a smokier finish, like Lesley’s, apply below the lash line, too, and smudge out.
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