How to Create a Cut Crease

Look at any makeup artist or beauty blogger that pops up in your Instagram feed and you’ll notice that they all seem to be sporting a similar eye makeup look—one with a cut crease. While it used to be a major makeup trend to thoroughly blend your eyeshadow in the crease, the most popular style at the moment involves just the opposite. As the name indicates, the cut crease eyeshadow technique involves defining the crease of your eye by cutting across it with a darker shadow or eyeliner and barely blending it out. If you’ve been dying to try the cut crease makeup look for yourself but haven’t been sure how, don’t fret. We’re breaking down how to do a cut crease—whether you prefer a classic cut crease or a glitter cut crease—step by step, right here.

CUT CREASE STEP #1: PRIME YOUR EYES

Almost every eye makeup tutorial starts the same—with eye primer—and there’s a good reason for that. A thin layer of primer can help create an even base for the rest of your eye makeup application. Smooth on a tiny bit of your favorite primer, and you’ll be ready to get started on this gorgeous eye look.

CUT CREASE STEP #2: DEFINE YOUR CREASE

Taking a waterproof pencil eyeliner, like the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Pro-Last Waterproof, Up to 24HR Pencil Eyeliner, begin to draw the basic shape of your cut crease. Carefully sketch a V shape on the outer corner of your eyelid, continuing the line into your crease. Be sure to stop before you reach the inner third of your eye. The line should be thicker toward the outer corner, becoming thinner and fainter as you move inward. And remember, you can always fix mistakes with a cotton swab dipped in eye makeup remover, like the L’Oréal Paris Micellar Cleansing Water Complete Cleanser Waterproof - All Skin Types.

Editor’s note: As an alternative to pencil eyeliner, you can use an eyeshadow to cut your crease, too. The technique will be the same, but you’ll use a shadow and an eyeliner brush in place of liner.

CUT CREASE STEP #3: BLUR THE LINES (UPWARD)

Use a small fluffy eyeshadow brush to blend the eyeliner out before it sets. Focus on blending upward, rather than onto your eyelid.

CUT CREASE STEP #4: BLEND EYESHADOW OVER TOP

Apply an eye shadow in a color of your choosing—any medium or dark shade from the L’Oréal Paris Colour Riche Monos Eyeshadow collection should work—over top of the eyeliner. Again, be careful not to blend the shadow onto your lid, which would make this a simple smoky eye instead of a cut crease.

CUT CREASE STEP #5: CLEAN UP WITH CONCEALER

With a concealer brush, apply a light concealer in a semi-circle shape on your eyelid. This step will help make your cut crease more dramatic, covering up any spots where the eyeliner or eye shadow may have been blended onto your lids. Try the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Full Wear Concealer Waterproof, Full Coverage.

CUT CREASE STEP #6: ADD MORE EYESHADOW

Place a light, shimmery eye shadow, like the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Paints Metallics Eye Shadow in Rose Chrome, on top of the concealer. Once you’ve done just that, you’ve successfully completed your first cut crease makeup look! The next steps are just finishing touches.

Editor’s note: Want to create a glitter cut crease? In that case, coat your lid with glitter instead of eyeshadow. Press a loose glitter over your concealer before it dries or use a liquid glitter. Alternatively, if you prefer only a subtle touch of sparkle, you can use a glitter eyeliner to go over your crease, laying down a thin line of glitter that will really define your cut crease.

CUT CREASE STEP #7: WING IT OUT

There’s something about a cut crease that just so happens to pair perfectly with winged eyeliner—so that’s what you should do. Using the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Flash Cat Eye Waterproof Brush Tip Liquid Eyeliner in Black, create a thin line along your lashes before adding a flick at the end. Rusty on your wing skills? No worries, this eyeliner will make it ultra-easy thanks to its winged eyeliner stencil.

CUT CREASE STEP #8: COAT YOUR LASHES

Almost done! All you need to complete your eye makeup is a coat or two of mascara. If you’re after serious length and volume, make sure to use a lash primer before coating your lashes. Apply a coat of the L’Oréal Paris Voluminous Lash Paradise Mascara Primer/Base to increase the thickness of your lashes and to enhance the wear of your mascara. Follow with the L’Oréal Paris Voluminous Lash Paradise Mystic Black. Start at the base of your lashes before sweeping up toward the tip. This mascara will create voluptuous length and volume to complement your cut crease.

Ready to try another eye makeup technique? Let us teach you How to Achieve Your Sharpest Winged Eyeliner Look.