A cat-eye effect is about where the product goes, more than what is in the tube. The mascara supports the technique; the technique creates the shape.
The principle
A cat-eye look elongates the eye outward and upward. Applied to lashes, that means concentrating product on the outer third and drawing it outward rather than straight up.
Applied evenly across the whole lash line, the same mascara produces a rounder, wider eye. Same product, different effect — the placement is the whole thing.
The technique
- Curl first, on clean dry lashes
- Start at the outer corner. Load the brush and apply here first, while there is most product on it
- Draw outward and upward, following the direction you want the eye to extend — toward the tail of the brow, not straight up
- Work inward with what remains on the brush. The inner third needs very little
- Lower lashes: outer half only, and lightly. Full lower-lash mascara ringed all the way round closes the eye and works directly against the effect
Pairing it
The lash placement works with, not instead of, other steps:
- Shadow lifted upward at the outer corner rather than dragged down
- Liner angled toward the tail of the brow
- Light in the inner corner to open the eye
- Nude rather than dark liner on the lower waterline
Together these do considerably more than any one of them.
Which eye shapes it suits
Round eyes benefit most, since the elongation balances them. Downturned eyes benefit from the upward angle. Almond eyes already have the shape and need less.
Hooded eyes should apply and check with the eye open — placement judged on a closed lid ends up somewhere unintended.
Care
Two thin coats, not one thick one. Replace every three months. Remove by holding a saturated pad against closed lashes for a few seconds, then wiping downward — never scrubbing.
The full composition is in the Faberlic catalogue. For eye-shape technique, see the makeup section.