It's all in the eyes - techniques for your eye shape

Your eyes are one of the first things that people notice about you. Enhance the uniqueness of your eyes by learning to apply techniques best for your eye shape.

Renee Zellweger. Source: Getty Images

Small eyes

Eyes are proportionally smaller compared to the rest of the face.

• Keep liner to the outer corners and preferrably to the top lash line only. Lining the entire eye is only going to shrink it. If you do need definition on the bottom try using small tipped brush or cotton tip and dip it in brown or gray shadow and feather it on softly keeping it stronger in the outer area
• Curl those lashes and apply several coats of mascara
• Light shimmery shadows are great for opening up the eye area

Celebrities with small eyes: Jennifer Hudson, Renee Zellweger

Uma thurman. Source: Getty Images

Wide set eyes

The space between your eyes are more than an eye width apart. This look tends to have a more youthful and open appearance.

• Eyes can be intensified by emphasising the inner corners
• Line the eyes completely from the innner to outer of the eyes
• Be generous with mascara and coat every last lash
• Remember dark colours make things appear smaller. So using a darker shadow on the corners closest to the nose and blending it outwards helps the eyes to appear closer together.

Celebrities with wide set eyes: Uma Thurman, Oprah, Kate Moss, Jessica Alba

Sarah Jessica Parker. Source: Getty Images

Close set eyes

The space between the eyes is less than an eye width apart. Often faces with close set eyes have slender noses.

• Dab white or light coloured eye shadow around the inner corner of the eye
• Medium shades can be applied to the middle area whilst keeping dark shades to the outer corners and sweeping outwards. Remember to blend, blend, blend when doing this. 
• The majority of mascara should be applied to the outer lashes
• Consider widening the space between the brows and continue them a little longer at the ends using a pencil if need be. Seeing a brow specialist is highly recommended for this one!!

Celebrities with close set eyes: Ginnifer Goodwin, Barbara Streisand, Teri Hatcher, Sarah Jessica Parker



Amanda Peet. Source: Getty Images

Deep set eyes
The area from the lashes to the brow bone seems hidden due to the eyelid crease being set quite far back.

• Apply a medium to light shade of eye shadow accross the entire lid and up to the brow bone
• Use a highlighter around the brow bone to open up the area
• Apply eye liner to the top lids and mascara to the top lashes only
• Consider keeping a high arch when shaping the brows

Celebrities with deep set eyes: Julianne Moore, Amanda Peet

Hooded eyes

Paris Hilton. Source: Getty Images

The lids are hidden which can result in a 'sleepy eye' look.

• Apply light eye shadow from the lash line to the crease
• Apply medium to dark shadow on the crease
• Highlight the brow bone
• In the outer corners of the eyes, dab a mid tone shadow and blend slightly outwards and upwards at the edges. This will help to create a subtle lift. Don't do this with too dark colours as it can drag your eyes down.
• Line the entire top lash line
• Curl your lashes and use mascara on the top lashes only

Celebrities with hooded eyes: Paris Hilton

Protruding eyes
Eyelids have a bulge and puffy look to them. Also known as the buldging eye.

• Use medium to dark shadow over the lids
• Opt for matt eye shadows staying clear of frosted and shimmery ones
• Apply liner around the entire eye
• Use mascara on both top and bottom lashes

Almond eyes

Megan Fox. Source: Getty Images

Eyes have an upswept lift at the outer corner. This is considered to be a classic look and is also the most common. It is a very easy shape to experiment with and many different techniques suit.

• Use a light eye shadow from the lash to the brow
• Apply a medium tone shadow on the crease and blend to the brow bone
• Liner on the upper lid helps eyes to appear bigger
• If needed, curl the lashes
• Be generous with mascara and emphasize the outer lashes

Celebrities with almond eyes: Megan Fox

 

Round eyes

Ashley Olsen. Source: Getty Images

The eyes are rounded at the outer corners.

• Medium to dark shades can help to lengthen out the eyes
• Keep eye shadow most intense from the middle to outer eye and sweeping up toward the brow bone
• Apply liner right on the lash line and thicken the line as the eye extends outwards
• For something fun and sultry use jet black liquid liner to create the cat eye look

Celebrities with round eyes: Ashley Olsen

If you wear glasses

Even if your sporting some hot D&G's we still want to see YOU. So pump up the volume with eye makeup.

• Opt for jet black mascara 
• Use as much liner as your eye shape will allow ensuring your eyes are well defined