Perfect Makeup for Different Eye Shapes

Eyes are often considered the focal point of any makeup look, but there's no one-size-fits-all approach to eye makeup. Understanding your unique eye shape is the key to creating the most flattering look. As professional makeup artists, we customize techniques for each client based on their individual features. In this comprehensive guide, we'll share our professional techniques for enhancing different eye shapes.

Identifying Your Eye Shape

Before diving into specific techniques, it's important to identify your eye shape. Look straight ahead into a mirror and observe the following:

• Can you see your crease when your eyes are open?
• Is your crease visible in the inner corner, outer corner, or throughout?
• Do your eyes tilt upward, downward, or remain horizontal at the outer corners?
• Is the white of your eye visible all around your iris, or does your eyelid cover part of it?
• How much space do you have between your lashes and brow bone?

These observations will help you determine which of the following eye shapes you have, though many people have combination features.

Almond Eyes

Almond eyes are often considered the "standard" eye shape in makeup tutorials. They're characterized by a visible crease and eyes that are slightly wider than they are round, with a slight upward tilt at the outer corners.

Identifying Almond Eyes

• Your crease is visible when your eyes are open
• The iris touches both the top and bottom lids, with minimal white showing
• The outer corner of your eye may have a slight upward tilt

Enhancing Almond Eyes

Almond eyes are versatile and can carry most eye makeup styles well. To enhance this shape:

• Eyeshadow Placement: Apply medium tones in the crease, darker shades in the outer V, and lighter shades on the lid
• Eyeliner: Thin to medium line along the upper lash line, slightly thicker at the outer corner
• Mascara: Focus on both upper and lower lashes
• Try This: Winged liner or smoky eyes work particularly well with this shape

Hooded Eyes

Hooded eyes have a fold of skin that hangs down over the crease, making it partially or completely invisible when eyes are open. This can make eyeshadow application challenging but certainly not impossible.

Identifying Hooded Eyes

• Your crease is partially or completely hidden when your eyes are open
• You have limited visible lid space
• Eyeshadow often disappears or creases when you open your eyes

Enhancing Hooded Eyes

The key with hooded eyes is to create the illusion of more lid space:

• Eyeshadow Placement: Apply transition and crease colors slightly above the actual crease, where they'll be visible when eyes are open
• Technique: Apply eyeshadow with eyes open or looking straight ahead
• Eyeliner: Keep liner thin, especially at the inner corners, or try "tightlining" (applying liner at the base of the upper lashes)
• Try This: Use matte shadows to create depth and save shimmer for the center of the lid only

Round Eyes

Round eyes are characterized by their circular shape and the visibility of the whites of the eyes above and below the iris.

Identifying Round Eyes

• Your eyes appear circular rather than oval
• You can see the white of your eye above and/or below your iris
• Your crease is clearly visible when eyes are open

Enhancing Round Eyes

Techniques for round eyes often focus on creating elongation:

• Eyeshadow Placement: Focus darker shades on the outer third of the eye, extending slightly outward
• Eyeliner: Extend liner beyond the outer corner in a wing to create an elongated effect
• Lashes: Focus mascara and false lashes on the outer corners
• Try This: Cat-eye looks and outer corner emphasis work particularly well

Monolid Eyes

Monolid eyes have little to no visible crease, with a flatter eyelid that extends from the lash line to the brow bone.

Identifying Monolid Eyes

• You have little to no visible crease
• Your eyelid appears relatively flat from lash line to brow
• You have plenty of lid space to work with, just organized differently

Enhancing Monolid Eyes

Monolid eyes have plenty of lid space to showcase creative looks:

• Eyeshadow Placement: Use gradient techniques, with darker colors near the lash line gradually blending into lighter shades toward the brow
• Eyeliner: Try a thicker line along the upper lash line for definition
• Dimension: Create depth by using darker colors where you want to create the illusion of a crease
• Try This: "Halo eye" technique (darker inner and outer corners with a lighter center) creates beautiful dimension

Downturned Eyes

Downturned eyes have a slight downward tilt at the outer corners, giving a naturally sweet, approachable appearance.

Identifying Downturned Eyes

• The outer corners of your eyes angle slightly downward
• The lower lash line appears to be higher than the outer corner
• Your eyes may have a naturally sweet, gentle appearance

Enhancing Downturned Eyes

Techniques for downturned eyes focus on creating lift at the outer corners:

• Eyeshadow Placement: Apply darker shadow in a diagonal upward motion from the outer corner
• Eyeliner: Create a lifted wing that extends upward from the outer corner
• Highlight: Apply highlight under the arch of the brow to enhance lift
• Try This: Keep the lower lash line clean or only apply shadow/liner to the outer third

Deep-Set Eyes

Deep-set eyes sit further back into the eye socket, often creating a pronounced brow bone and the appearance of a shadow on the eyelid.

Identifying Deep-Set Eyes

• Your eyes appear to be set deeper in your face
• You have a pronounced brow bone
• Your eyelids may appear to be in shadow

Enhancing Deep-Set Eyes

For deep-set eyes, techniques focus on bringing the eyes forward:

• Eyeshadow Placement: Use lighter, shimmery shades on the lid to bring it forward
• Brow Bone: Avoid heavy highlighting under the brow, which can emphasize the deep-set nature
• Inner Corner: Brighten the inner corner to bring eyes forward
• Try This: Avoid very dark shades in the crease, which can make eyes appear even more recessed

Protruding Eyes

Protruding or prominent eyes extend outward from the eye socket, creating a rounded appearance with significant visible lid space.

Identifying Protruding Eyes

• Your eyes appear to project forward from your face
• You have significant visible lid space
• Your eyes may appear larger than average

Enhancing Protruding Eyes

Techniques for protruding eyes focus on creating depth and dimension:

• Eyeshadow Placement: Use matte, deeper tones on the lid to create the illusion of depth
• Eyeliner: Apply liner all around the eye to define the shape
• Avoid: Overly shimmery or light shades on the lid, which can make eyes appear more prominent
• Try This: Smoky eye looks work particularly well for this eye shape

Universal Eye Makeup Tips

Regardless of your eye shape, these professional tips will help you achieve the best results:

• Prime your lids: Always use an eyeshadow primer to prevent creasing and improve longevity
• Quality brushes: Invest in good brushes designed specifically for eye makeup application
• Build intensity gradually: It's easier to add more color than to remove excess
• Blend thoroughly: Harsh lines rarely flatter any eye shape
• Curl your lashes: This opens up the eye area for almost every eye shape
• Consider your eye color: Choose eyeshadow colors that enhance your natural eye color

Conclusion

Understanding your eye shape is the foundation for creating flattering eye makeup looks. However, remember that these are guidelines, not rules. The most beautiful makeup is one that makes you feel confident and enhances your natural features.

At StoneGroves, our makeup artists are trained to identify and enhance each client's unique features, including their eye shape. Whether you're preparing for a special event or simply want to learn techniques tailored to your specific features, our personalized makeup services can help you look and feel your best.