The New Cat Eye Trend for Spring to Try Now

Illamasqua's product developer and director, David Horne, boasts 20 years in the beauty biz as a former runway makeup artist. Since Illamasqua is known for its edgy products-dare we even say it has a Tim Burton feel-we thought he'd be the perfect pro to dish out some new beauty looks to try for spring. Here, Horne explains how to recreate his signature speckled cat eye, ways to sculpt your cheekbones, and the nail color you need to try.


ELLE: Tell us about your technique for creating a speckled cat-eye makeup look. Are there any other colors you recommend trying other than black and white (or the reverse)?
David Horne: This was such a eureka moment, making a mistake and an imperfection something beautiful; really a play on Pointillism from the great artists whom I adore, such as [Georges] Seurat. The look is achieved simply by dotting and creating a feather-like liner. It looks beautiful done in Havoc Precision Ink, which is a stunning oxblood tone.


ELLE: What are some other unexpected eye looks with just a few steps we can try for spring?
DH: Try using a metallic liner at the inner half of the eye and a matte one on the outer half. It creates a flash of light on the inner eye, which is very alluring.


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ELLE: What are your tips for applying mascara to the bottom lashes without smearing it?
DH: Hold a tissue under the lashes and [coat] the lashes using a waterproof mascara, then slide out the tissue.


ELLE: What is currently your favorite eye makeup color?
DH: I am always obsessed with mixing, and I like to use Illamasqua Beguile Pure Pigment to achieve a wet-look effect, but using a powder.


ELLE: Do you have any lash-lengthening or volumizing tips?
DH: Apply a black gel eyeliner under the upper lashes to create volume and maximize the lid space that's available. Slightly powdering eyelashes between mascara coats also builds volume.


ELLE: Walk us through your technique for sculpting a Cruella De Ville-type of cheek with the new Illamasqua Blush Up Brush?
DH: I love the new synthetic Illamasqua Blush Up Brush and good old fashioned Elastoplast to pick up dropped pigment under the eye. Suck in your cheeks to reveal the zygomatic bone. Place the brush to the center of the bone and gently flick color in an upward direction onto the bone to tint it. Apply this technique with gentle pressure and build gradually, creating the illusion of the bone flowing outward and upward as you go.


ELLE: Please share with us a great low-key lip look to pair with smoky eyes.
DH: Use a touch of Hollow Cream Pigment to make lips more nude and counteract [natural] redness. Layer it with a touch of Illamasqua Intense Lipgloss in Opulent.


ELLE: What are some new products you have in the works?
DH: I absolutely love Pink Raindrops Nail Varnish, which is about to come out. It's an ash gray-pink, and it's so unusual.


ELLE: What's your makeup pet peeve?
DH: Too much orange-toned bronzer. In fact I don't like bronzer, in general. I prefer contoured beauty.

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