Half Cut Crease

The 'cut' only goes halfway across the lid (usually from inner corner to middle) and blends out softly at the outer edge.

Half Cut Crease is a glamorous, structural eye makeup technique popularized in the 2010s that sharply defines the inner portion of the eyelid while leaving the outer edge softly blended. It features a crisp line of concealer spanning from the inner corner to the center of the lid, usually topped with shimmer, which seamlessly transitions into a smoky outer corner. This high-contrast look is ideal for formal events and creates the illusion of larger, more lifted eyes.

To create a Half Cut Crease, start by blending matte transition shades into your crease and deepening the outer corner. Next, use full-coverage concealer on a flat brush to carve a sharp line from the inner corner to the center of the lid. Top the concealer with shimmer, then softly diffuse the boundary into the darker outer corner.

Eyes Glamorous Soft Wedding Formal Event Party

~18 min 6 steps 12 products

The Kit

Eyeshadow Primer
Matte Transition Eyeshadow
Deep Matte Eyeshadow
Full-Coverage Concealer
Shimmer Eyeshadow
Black Liquid Eyeliner
Volumizing Mascara
Fluffy Blending Brush
Small Dense Eyeshadow Brush
Flat Synthetic Concealer Brush
Flat Packing Brush
Tapered Blending Brush

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How to Create Half Cut Crease

Prime and Blend

Apply an eyeshadow primer all over the lid to create a smooth base. Sweep a warm matte transition shadow through the crease with a fluffy blending brush to build the initial shape.
Deepen Outer Corner

Pack a deeper matte shadow onto the outer third of the eyelid using a small, dense eyeshadow brush. Blend it slightly upward into the outer crease to create a smoky foundation.
Cut the Crease

Take a flat synthetic concealer brush and full-coverage concealer to carve a sharp line along your natural crease. Extend this cut only from the inner corner to the exact center of the lid.
Pack on Shimmer

Press a bright shimmer shadow directly over the wet concealer using a flat packing brush for maximum pigment payoff. Keep the application strictly within the carved out area.
Diffuse the Seam

Pick up a small amount of the deep matte shadow on a tapered blending brush. Lightly tap over the boundary where the shimmer meets the outer corner to create a seamless, soft gradient.
Apply Winged Eyeliner

Draw a precise wing along the upper lash line using black liquid eyeliner to enhance the glamorous 2010s aesthetic. Finish the eyes with a generous coat of volumizing mascara.

Pro Tips

Look straight forward into a mirror with your eyes completely relaxed when carving the crease to ensure the cut remains visible when your eyes are open.
Let the concealer set for a few seconds until it becomes slightly tacky before packing on the shimmer shadow to prevent transferring or creasing.
If your gradient gets muddy, wipe your blending brush clean on a towel and gently tap back and forth over the seam between the shimmer and matte shadows with no additional product.

Common Questions

What does a Half Cut Crease look like?

A Half Cut Crease pairs a sharply carved, bright inner eyelid with a softly blended, smoky outer corner. It offers the dramatic structure of a traditional cut crease on the inner eye, but transitions into a softer, diffused gradient at the outer edge.

What brushes do I need to create a Half Cut Crease?

You will need a flat, dense synthetic brush to apply the concealer sharply across the inner lid. Additionally, a fluffy blending brush for the crease and a small tapered brush to diffuse the shimmer into the outer corner are essential for a seamless finish.

Is the Half Cut Crease a good technique for beginners and hooded eyes?

While it is an advanced technique requiring patience and precision, it is exceptionally flattering for hooded eyes. By carving the concealer slightly above your natural fold, you can fake the illusion of visible lid space.

What is the difference between a full cut crease and a Half Cut Crease?

A full cut crease features a sharp line of concealer that spans the entire length of the eyelid from the inner to the outer corner. In contrast, a Half Cut Crease stops exactly in the middle of the eye, blending out into a softer, smoky shadow at the outer edge.

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