I was in London recently and became hypnotised by the perfectly applied eyeliner that I saw on people everywhere: on the Tube, on the high street, in Selfridges, in the Tate Modern (yes, there was a smattering of culture thrown in amid the shopping). So I became re-inspired to try and master its application once and for all.
After hours of tutorial watching, my new obsession has become strategically placed dot eyeliner. This is certainly nothing new - Twiggy was an early adopter in the 60s. The key to getting it right is emphasising the lower lash line.
Makeup artist Pat McGrath worked her magic back in 2012 on the runway at Anna Sui with a perfectly placed cornflower blue dot under the lower lashes.
Since then the dot has been popping up everywhere: on Instagram, runways and on celebrities such as Emma Roberts and Zoe Kravitz. All of them likely realising that tiny dots under the lower lashes will make them look longer and fuller. The rule to remember is to line up the dot with your pupils, so that they always appear symmetrical.
Professional makeup artist Katie Jane Hughes has perfected the art of dot lining and her Instagram is proof of this. Hughes knows firsthand how to make the look wearable, telling Allure that it's a "comfortable step toward wearing something more daring than a classic liner. It can be as bold or as discreet as you'd like."
The fun part is that you can mix up the dots with any colour that takes your fancy, from the more demure black or brown to gold, silver, cobalt-blue, violet…anything really. That said, when opting for a dramatic eye look, it's best to keep the rest of your makeup simple and fresh, so that the dots don't look clown-like. Katie Jane Hughes suggests opting for matte skin, groomed brows and a touch of a neutral cream eyeshadow. You could opt for a colourful lipstick, or just keep it neutral with a nude hue.
How-to: precision dots
Flirt Cosmetics has recently launched the Dot Dot Dot Dual Ended Liner that can help to create perfect under-eye dots. If your freehand is good, you can use a pencil, or brush dipped in gel liner or eyeshadow. For placement, dot directly below your lashes or just below the fold of your eye. We love the precision of L'Oréal Liquid Liner when creating the perfect circle.
If you fancy being a rule breaker, check out Greta Agazzi's Instagram for a new take on dot therapy.