Eye Makeup by Eye Shape
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Eye Makeup by Eye Shape: Eye makeup cannot be applied uniformly because the same type of eyeliner, eyeshadow application, or mascara may end up looking totally different according to the individual’s natural eye shape. Knowledge about the natural shape of the eyes will help in applying the makeup consciously but with lots of room left for imagination.
Eye makeup does not have to alter the shape of the eyes but accentuate and highlight the natural shape of the eyes.
Why Eye Shape Matters for Eye Makeup?
The appearance of your eyes also influences the size of eyelid space you have available, the position of your crease, and how eyeliner/eyeshadow will look on you when you open your eyes.
For instance, those who have hooded eyes can notice that thick eyeliner consumes most of their eyelid space. Round eyes will probably suit such techniques that make the corners of the eye elongated.
Here are some of the most common reasons why you should pay attention to your eye shape:
- Better placement of eyeshadow: You can apply light and dark shades of makeup where they will be more noticeable.
- Effectiveness of eyeliner: Various eyeliner designs can either enhance or compensate for your eyes.
- Better mascara application: Different ways of curling and covering your eyelashes can create a different result.
- Balanced makeup: Makeup will highlight the symmetry of your features instead of attempting to change your appearance.
- Easier product selection: Your eye shape will help you decide whether to use pencil, gel, liquid eyeliner, shimmer/shadow, and other products.
It is not mandatory. These are only tips for you to use as you wish.
How to Identify Your Eye Shape?
Firstly, look directly in the mirror while your facial muscles are in a relaxed state and your eyes naturally open. Do not raise your eyebrows since doing so will temporarily alter the way your eyelid space looks.
Notice your crease, outer corners, and exposed eyelid space.
| Eye Shape | Common Characteristics | Makeup Focus |
| Hooded | Fold of skin partially covers the crease or lid | Keep important color visible above the fold |
| Round | Eyes appear more open and circular | Add definition and length toward the outer corners |
| Almond | Oval-shaped eyes with tapered corners | Many techniques work well |
| Monolid | Little or no visible crease | Build definition through lash line and gradients |
| Deep-set | Eyes sit deeper beneath the brow bone | Use strategic brightness and crease placement |
| Downturned | Outer corners angle slightly downward | Lift emphasis toward the outer corner |
| Upturned | Outer corners angle slightly upward | Enhance the natural upward shape |
Eyeshapes can sometimes be combined as well. For instance, a person can be characterized by almond-shaped and hooded eyes. Your eyes will not necessarily belong to any single eye shape, and it’s absolutely okay.
Eye Makeup for Hooded Eyes
For hooded eyes, there is a skin fold that might partially cover the eyelid or crease. When your eyes are wide open, part of the eyeshadow could get hidden behind this fold.
So the most important thing here is to ensure that your makeup is always visible when your eyes are wide open.
Makeup Tips for Hooded Eyes
- Apply a matte transition color just above your natural crease.
- Concentrate very dark eyeshadows closer to the outer corner.
- Apply a shimmer carefully in the middle part of the lid.
- Use a thin eyeliner line instead of a very thick one.
- Don’t forget to apply mascara to your top lashes.
- A small lifted wing would work better than extending eyeliner outside.
- Blending eyeshadow should go upward and outward.
One of the mistakes many people make is applying all crease color within the natural crease fold. In this case, most of the color is likely to be hidden when the eyes are opened.
Eye Makeup for Round Eyes
Round eyes tend to be more wide-eyed, in that there is white space surrounding the iris. Eye makeup can accentuate round eyes and make them appear longer.
To make round eyes appear elongated, place darker colors on the outside third of the eyelid.
Tips for Applying Eye Makeup on Round Eyes
- Brown transition shade in the crease area.
- Medium or dark eyeshadow on the outside third of the eyelid.
- Use a broad brush to blend out towards the temple area.
- The inside area should be lighter.
- Liner extends slightly past the outside corner.
- More mascara should be applied to the outside lashes.
If you like the shape of your round eyes, you need not make them look long. All-over shimmery or smoky round eyes will help bring out the natural round shape of your eyes.
Eye Makeup for Almond Eyes
Almond eyes have an elongated shape, as the width of the eye is wider than the height of the eye. The corners of almond eyes taper.
There is a lot of room for playing around with eye makeup. You can wear anything from a soft everyday eye makeup look to dramatic smoky eyes.
Makeup Tips for Almond Eyes
- Add some transition shade through the crease area.
- Apply a darker color in the outer area to provide some definition.
- Try some classic winged eyeliner.
- Work with shimmer in the center of the lid or inner part.
- Blend some darker shades through the upper lash line.
- Apply your mascara evenly, paying extra attention to outer lashes.
A simple combination of neutral eyeshadow, lash line definition, and mascara will do fine for a daily makeup routine.
Eye Makeup for Monolid Eyes
The main feature of monolid eyes is the absence of the eyelid crease. Thus, there is a lack of the usual eyeshadow area, and applying standard eyeshadow might not work properly in this case.
Therefore, one needs to apply gradients and define the lash line instead of creating an artificial crease.
Eye Makeup for Monolids Eyes Tips
- Use eyeshadow primer first.
- Apply darker colors near the lash line.
- Then gradually blend lighter shades upward.
- Experiment with thicker eyeliner if you want a bolder look.
- Curl your lashes before applying mascara if needed.
- Work with shimmering shadows selectively.
- Try a smoky look with dark shades near the lash line and lighter shades above.
Monolid Eyes: Eye makeup for monolids works well with either a minimal or a dramatic approach. What really matters is how well you choose your placement, which should remain visible even when you open your eyes.
Eye Makeup for Deep-Set Eyes
Deep-set eyes are those that are farther down underneath the brow bone and thus may cast some shadow under the eyes.
The aim could be to make them appear bright while keeping their natural definition intact.
Makeup Tips for Deep-Set Eyes
- Lighter shades work well for highlighting the areas that you want to highlight.
- Medium shades work best for creases, while very dark shades are not ideal.
- Shimmer should be applied with caution to the mobile lid.
- Extremely dark eyeshadows should not cover the entire lid.
- Eyeliner should be applied near the lash line.
- The inner corners of the eyes should be highlighted.
- The shadows should be blended below the brow bone.
Matte eyeshadows will give structure, while light shimmers will enhance the lid.
Eye Makeup for Downturned Eyes
Downturned eyes are those whose outer corners are slanted slightly downwards relative to the inner corners of the eyes.
For a lift, aim your eyeshadow and eyeliner up toward the outer edge.
Makeup Tips for Downturned Eyes
- Elevate the outer edge of eyeshadow.
- Limit dark colors to upward and outward blending.
- Limit eyeliner dragged downwards beyond the natural point.
- Try a short lift wing.
- Mascara is applied especially on the upper outer lashes.
- Lower lash makeup should be less noticeable if the effect of lifting is desired.
The direction of the eyeliner should not follow the downturned eye but rather think of an imaginary line from the outer edge through to the outer edge of the eyebrow.
Eye Makeup for Upturned Eyes
This type of eye has an outer corner higher than the inner corner, making the shape naturally lifted.
It can be emphasized or softened to achieve the desired look.
Makeup Tips for Upturned Eyes
- Keep your eyeliner according to the upward tilt.
- Go for a darker eyeshadow on the outer edge.
- Use a soft transitional color along the crease.
- Glaze the inner corner to make a contrast.
- Carry out a classic wing to highlight the upturned look.
- To have a soft makeup look, define the lower lash line subtly.
The upturned eyes can go perfectly with either sharp eyeliner or eyeshadow. There is always an option of balancing the upper and lower lash lines.
Eye Makeup Techniques by Eye Shape
| Eye Shape | Eyeshadow Technique | Eyeliner Idea | Mascara Focus |
| Hooded | Blend above the crease | Thin, lifted line | Upper lashes |
| Round | Extend color outward | Slightly elongated wing | Outer lashes |
| Almond | Flexible placement | Classic wing | Even application |
| Monolid | Build a vertical gradient | Lash-line definition | Curled upper lashes |
| Deep-set | Brighten the lid | Thin lash-line liner | Upper lashes |
| Downturned | Blend upward | Short upward wing | Outer-upper lashes |
| Upturned | Follow natural angle | Classic or soft wing | Outer lashes |
Final Tips for Eye Makeup by Eye Shape
Knowing your eye shape is helpful, but it should not hinder your creativity in the matter. Your eye makeup preferences, the size of your eyes, available space on your eyelids, and other factors are important too.
Begin with a basic neutral eyeshadow palette and try various placements. Take a photo of yourself with open eyes and see what color or lines are still visible. You might find out that there are techniques for multiple eye shapes that suit you.
The most important thing about eye makeup is that it makes you look and feel good about yourself.