Adele’s 60s-style eyeliner is one of the most coveted looks in pop, with hundreds of video tutorials dedicated to helping fans perfect her signature technique. In April, the singer’s own makeup artist, Michael Ashton, released a YouTube video that is the definitive guide to copying her “cat-eyes”, which has been watched more than 2m times.
Yet those thick, sweeping lines with a slanted flick remain notoriously hard to get right – especially with any sense of symmetry. Can dedicated fans and festival-goers imitate Saturday’s headliner at a rainy Glastonbury without a mirror?
Heather Cook, 41, Kent
“I couldn’t do my eyeliner this morning – I was crying over the referendum result,” says Heather, gamely taking up our challenge. She blends both the liquid and felt nib liner, drawing those all-important wings like a pro. VERDICT: Adele!
Tom Holder, 24, Bristol
Using liquid liner, Tom recreates Adele’s thick, opaque makeup – but largely under the eye itself, rather than across the upper lid. Starting out as an eyeliner novice, he soons gets the hang of it: “Once you find your eye, you’re fine!” VERDICT: A-Don’t!
Amber Dagnall, 30, Durham
Opting for the felt-nib liner, Amber draws strong bold lines along her lids. It’s a speedy application, following an initial under-the-eye blip. Those all-important flicks are subtly added on afterwards, having been initially forgotten. VERDICT: A-Don’t!
Hugh Davenport, 27, Birmingham
Keen to replicate the high drama of Adele’s signature sultry style, Hugh adopts an unusual method of application: rolling the liquid and felt-nib liners down both lids, before adding further definition using the pencil. VERDICT: Adele!
Lori Baker, 46, Norwich
When she’s without a mirror, Lori’s go-to eyeliner hack is to use a pair of reflective sunglasses. Without access to either, she applies her liquid liner precisely in one smooth, gliding motion. VERDICT: A-Dept!
Moley
Despite being unfamiliar with Adele’s famous flicks, Moley soon gets the hang of it: “I can do anything – I’m Adele!” he announces, just one eye in, using the pencil and felt-nib liners to recreate her look – on both his upper and lower lids. VERDICT: A-Dont!
