Quick answer: Trade your classic black eyeliner for a rich navy. In this tutorial Nikol Johnson pairs a navy waterproof liner with soft golden neutrals for a fall eye look that feels sophisticated rather than harsh. Navy makes the eyes pop—especially brown eyes—and if navy feels too bold, plum is her easy alternative.
Key takeaways
- Nikol's fall swap is black for navy—she calls it more sophisticated and pairs it with confidence and authority.
- Navy looks great on everyone and is even better on brown eyes, where the contrast makes them pop.
- Prefer something softer? A plum liner is her go-to alternative.
- Use a waterproof formula so the color stays crisp on mobile mature lids (and keep a waterproof remover on hand).
- Pair the liner with warm, golden neutral shadow so the color stays the focus.
Hey ladies! Nikol filmed this one straight through a hectic Labor Day stretch, and the takeaway is refreshingly simple: put down the black eyeliner and reach for navy instead. Here's exactly how she builds the soft, golden-neutral eye that lets a navy liner shine—plus the honest reason it flatters mature eyes.
Why swap black eyeliner for navy?
Nikol's whole idea for fall is to take away the black and go with navy. She finds it just as seasonal but more sophisticated—a liner she says pairs with confidence and authority. Navy gives your eyes a pop of color without committing to a full colored eyeshadow, so the look reads fresh but still natural. She reaches for the Waterproof Eyeliner in Navy, noting how smooth and pigmented it goes on and how it holds all day. If navy feels like too much, she offers plum as an easy alternative that gives the same subtle, unexpected lift.
How does Nikol build the navy eye look?
The eye starts neutral so the liner stays the star. She preps with Eye Primer—her Holy Grail for keeping shadow true and long-wearing—then sweeps the golden neutrals of Le Bottled Blonde across the lid, using the lightest shade on the brow bone and the darkest to deepen the crease. After curling her lashes, she lines the upper lash line with the navy liner, winging it up at the outer corner and smudging it slightly for a soft, smoky finish. Volume Up Mascara finishes the eye—she wiggles the brush at the base and pulls up to lift every lash.
- Prep and apply Eye Primer to keep shadow true and crease-resistant.
- Sweep golden neutral shades from Le Bottled Blonde across the lid; deepen the crease with the darker tone.
- Curl your lashes.
- Line the upper lash line with the Waterproof Eyeliner in Navy, winging up at the outer corner; smudge with a short brush for a smokier look.
- Coat lashes with Volume Up Mascara, wiggling at the base and pulling up.
What completes the rest of the face?
Nikol keeps the base light and lifted. She color-corrects under the eyes with Just Peachy, pressing it in to brighten, then conceals—in the video she previews a new creamy concealer, while her current three-well concealer trio is still available for a limited time. She fills her brows lightly with the Skinny Brow Pencil, keeps the cheeks soft, then moves to lips: Cameo waterproof lip liner, NikRay lipstick, and a touch of Champs Lip Gloss to lighten and refresh. A setting spray locks everything in. Her fragrance and skincare are third-party favorites she mentions in passing—as always, patch-test new skincare and check with a professional if you have sensitive skin.
The bottom line
Navy is the easiest, most flattering way to step outside your usual black this fall—and plum is right there if you want something softer. Ready to make the switch? Explore the eyeliners, browse everything for the eyes, or shop the full makeup edit to build your own fall look.
Frequently Asked Questions
What eyeliner color does Nikol recommend instead of black?
In this tutorial Nikol swaps black for a rich navy. She finds navy just as perfect for fall but more sophisticated and flattering, making the eyes pop without the harshness of black. If navy feels too bold, she suggests plum as an easy alternative that still adds a subtle, wearable pop of color.
Why trade black eyeliner for navy?
Navy reads softer and more modern than black while still defining the lash line, and Nikol describes it as sophisticated, paired with confidence and authority. It gives your eyes a pop of color for fall without committing to a full colored eyeshadow, so the look feels fresh but still natural and easy to wear.
What if I don't like navy eyeliner?
Nikol suggests plum as a great alternative. Like navy, a plum liner adds a subtle, unexpected pop that flatters the eyes without looking dramatic. Both colors are easy ways to step outside your usual black and try something different for fall, whether you wear it as a simple liner or smudge it softer.
Does navy eyeliner work on brown eyes?
Yes. Nikol says navy looks beautiful on everyone and is even better on brown eyes, where the contrast really makes them pop. She loves browns and navies together, so pairing a navy liner with warm, golden neutral shadow creates a flattering combination that suits most eye colors for an everyday fall look.
Why use a waterproof eyeliner on mature eyes?
Mature lids have more movement and eyes can water, so a waterproof formula keeps the color true and crisp all day instead of smudging or fading. Nikol notes you'll need a waterproof eye makeup remover to take it off. A budge-proof liner is especially helpful if you have watery eyes or a long day ahead.
What eyeshadow does Nikol pair with the navy liner?
She uses Le Bottled Blonde, a neutral palette with golden tones, sweeping the lighter shade across the lid and deepening the crease with the darker shades. The soft, golden neutrals let the navy liner stand out as the focus. You can also simply set the lid with a brightening powder and wear the liner on its own.
