The hack
Getting a smudgy, rock’n’roll eyeliner look with very minimal effort.
The test
I’ve always thought the whole “slept in” eyeliner look was a bit of a beauty urban legend. Whenever I’ve slept in my makeup, I’ve woken up looking more like Alice Cooper than Kate Moss at Glastonbury circa 2005. The Prince of Darkness might be a low-key beauty legend in goth circles, but it’s that more minimal, seemingly effortless look that’s trending online.
As noughties indie makes a return, “indie sleaze” smudged eyeliner has become the signature look. The method is simple: using a black or dark brown pencil eyeliner, line the waterline and the tightline (the inside of the upper lash line). I’m adding a little to the lashline, too. Then rub your eyes to smudge it in a little.
On my first try, it was very subtle. But with a few coats of mascara, and a little more eyeliner, I didn’t hate it. It wasn’t quite as easy as TikTok made it seem, and it’s easier to get that smudged eyeliner look by using a very soft eyeliner pencil with a smudger on the end instead. Finish with mascara and you’re good to go – zero eye-rubbing necessary.
The verdict
It didn’t really work for me, but it’s worth trying to see if it does for you. Although do go gently on any eye-rubbing – it could cause irritation of the delicate skin around the eyes.
