Last updated: March 2026
What Is Fox Eye Liner?
Fox eye liner is an eyeliner technique that elongates and lifts the outer corners of the eyes to create an almond-shaped, lifted, fox-like appearance.
The fox eye look became one of the most popular makeup trends of the early 2020s, popularized on TikTok and by celebrities like Bella Hadid. The technique involves drawing eyeliner that extends out from the outer corner in an upward angle (rather than the soft outward sweep of a classic winged liner) and often blending shadow underneath the lower lash line on the outer third to mirror the upward lift. The goal is an elongated, lifted, almond-shaped eye. Fox eye is often paired with brushed-up, feathery brows and minimal eye makeup elsewhere to keep the focus on the elongation. The technique works on most eye shapes but is especially flattering on round and downturned eyes because it visually pulls the eye outward and upward. Note: the look has been criticized when paired with non-makeup techniques like using tape or pulling the temples — those aspects raised concerns about cultural appropriation. The makeup-only version remains widely worn and uncontroversial.
Tips
- Start the wing closer to the inner corner than a classic cat eye, and angle it sharply upward rather than out.
- Blend a soft brown or taupe shadow under the outer third of the lower lash line to mirror the lift.
- Brush brows up and outward to enhance the elongated effect — fox eye looks best with feathery, lifted brows.
See it in action
Tutorials that use or demonstrate this technique: