Mara Hoffman Runway Inspired Graphic Eyeliner
With New York Fashion Week nearly upon us I felt it only appropriate to take a look back at NYFW Fall 2014 for some beauty inspiration. Although there was an abundance of graphic eyeliner on the runway last year, I was especially fond of the hollow cat eye seen at Mara Hoffman. Although it’s still very bold, I think it’s a lot more wearable than some of the looks seen at other shows. Today I’m sharing how to create my take on the Mara Hoffman runway inspired graphic eyeliner.
What makes this look so wearable is that you can easily control the drama by drawing a shorter wing or drawing thinner lines. You could even turn it up a notch by transforming your Mara Hoffman Fall 2014 cat eye into the Atelier Versace Spring 2015 cat eye, by extending the liner all the way through your crease.

Three Photos via Mara Hoffman NYFW Fall 2014
To create this look I started with a fresh, luminous face by mixing MAC Strobe Cream and Dior BB Creme SPF30 for my base then concealing blemishes with Kevyn Aucoin Skin Enhancer. For my eyebrows I used the matte taupe powder from the Bobbi Brown Surf & Sand Palette to fill the inner corners, and Anastasia Beverly Hills Dip Brow Pomade in medium brown to shape and fill the outer corners. Even though I wanted to keep it light I still applied some Too Faced Soleil Matte Bronzer on the hollows of my cheeks and MAC Prep + Prime Highlight Pen topped with NARS Albatross highlighting powder across the high points of my face for an even glow. You can view more details on that highlighting technique here, and also I decided to skip blush for this look. The nude lip was created with MAC Lip Pencil in “Soar” topped with NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream in “Cairo.”
Let me know if you have questions about any of the steps I may have skipped detailing, such as the primer or type of brushes used, and I’ll get back to you in the comments section below. You can really do the face however you like, although I recommend keeping it natural since the eyeliner is so strong as is.
To draw the hollow cat eye I used Laura Mercier Creme Eyeliner in black. I like to use a lip brush for gel liner instead of an angled eyeliner brush, but thats just personal preference. Using a scoop of the gel transferred to the back of my hand I drew and connected small segments to create an even lash line trace, all the while holding my eyelids taut. Following the natural curvature of my lower lash line, I extended the liner into a wing. Instead of tracing and filling a wispy triangle to create my usual cat eye, I angled the wing up-and-in towards my crease stopping about a third the way into my eye. I began with a minimal amount of product and bolded the lines once I was comfortable with the shape I had created.
After setting the gel with some black eyeshadow, I applied Ardell Glamour Wispies false lashes with some extra individual lashes stacked on the outer corners to intensify the cat eye. I finished the look with some mascara on both the top and the bottom lashes and a final spritz of setting spray.
What runway beauty looks inspire you? Do you think this hollow cat eye is wearable?
xxLK
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A little to edgy for where I work, but the standout impact yet simplicity of this look is one I DEFINITELY need to try for a night out!
I love that eyeliner. Edgy look
x
lifeandstyle-diary.blogspot.nl
I think it’s wearable for a night out or for a more formal wear attire. I think if it was drawn a bit thinner it could become an everyday trend.
I love this look! I like your interpretation even more than the original!!!
This look really suits you! Xoxo
OMG i love this eyeliner look it looks great in the photos!! Definitely going to try this
Love your photos!
OMG that’s so perfect! I love it <3
xoxo
i love this look, you look beautiful. i wish i could rock a hat like this, but i have huge hair!
I love this look its so different but really stunning! I might have to give it a go sometime 🙂 xxx
Wow you are amazing at doing eyeliner! I can barely do a basic line. Great post and you are so pretty. x
Stunning but difficult to wear in a journaly day
I love this look and you pull it off so well! You look gorgeous, great blog post! xx
You are absolutely gorgeous! I think this is definitely wearable depending on your setting – more so for evening or an artsy environment.
This is a really cool look! Simple but still out of the ordinary in a really good way 🙂
This is amazing! Great job x
http://blvckbee.com
I have huge eyeliner envy, love it 🙂
LC
Bunch the usual
ne’er-do-wells into
an alternative
Franklin Street, Chapel
Hill art café, and
presto! For
that brief period
she brought/gave
us the chance to let
it fly, hang it out in the
breeze for all to see,
some to comment on,
few, very few, to
purchase. That marble
effect you gave me
lingers, though
myself far flung to
just under
missile range on this
mountainous peninsula.
Natural
Carolina life seems so
happy, yet
only pictures tell
a story that must be
as complex
as you always were back when
we had time
to wander free, be
ourselves, love each other.
Love it! I definitely have to give it a go!
The hollow cat eye is totally wearable! Cat eye liner has been a staple (on & off) in fashion since the 1950’s.
I adore it, and I adore this new version! Kudos!
Wow so beautiful! You did it perfectly, looks more natural than original! :p
nice babe!
I like this cat eye look. It has a fantasy quality, a little dark and mysterious.
xo Bry
LittleSurprise.Naughty&Nice
Wow, I had this in mind 2 weeks ago when I had to attend a family event, and I tought was to trendy then…but I love love love it!
You look gorgeous!
I absolutely ADORE that new cat eye look! You’re Gorgeous!
LOVE it! That looks so cool!
Love this so much, such a bold look. Especially on someone as gorgeous as you!
Samuel
Love this look. Absolutely gorgeous! x
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This is a great look on you. You’re very pretty 🙂
I am so in love with this idea!
A must try immediately *.*
Thank you my love
Your blog rocks my face off
~Kitty
Works really well with the fresh face, I love it!
Wow it looks gorgeous!!
Candice | Beauty Candy Loves
♥♥♥
this eyeliner is to die for! I am so obsessed =) amazing looks! xx
So elegant ! I love how you did the eyeliner and how you wore the hat just it compleates the chic look!
Effortlessly perfect! Just need to summon up the courage to be bold enough to wear this look myself!
It looks beautiful! Don’t know if I could work it but it looks really pretty on you!
i would love to try this! looks great on you.
Wow fantastic! Very dramatic and 60s inspired 🙂
It’s extemely bold and still modern and kind of wearable at the same time – GORGEOUS.