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Growing up, I was always fascinated by eyeliner. The dark, inky product could create stunning eye makeup looks—whether you wanted a sharp cat eye or a simple smoky waterline.
However, in 2020, I was diagnosed with amblyopia, otherwise known as a lazy eye. For a long time, I was insecure about wearing eyeliner. Would it highlight the imperfect asymmetry in my face? How could I achieve perfectly sharp wings when my eyes weren’t evenly aligned?
Now, five years later, after some trial and error, I’ve discovered techniques that let me wear eyeliner with total confidence. So, when the Y2K rimmed eyeliner trend made a comeback this year, I was all in. The dark, grunge-inspired look adds depth, dimension, and a touch of sexiness to the eyes—a style that ruled the 2000s and is now being embraced by today’s celebs like Yara Shahidi and Paris Jackson.
Naturally, seeing the creative, bold looks people were creating with rimmed eyeliner inspired me to try it myself. I found my favorite kohl pencil, went to work, and didn’t let imperfect symmetry hold me back. Ahead, I break down my step-by-step guide to achieving the rimmed eyeliner look, complete with expert tips and product recommendations.

