In a world where we know that one size does not fit all, it should be no surprise this same principle applies to eyeliner as well. Often we learn how to apply eyeliner by following family members, friends, or celebrity’s techniques. But finding a look all your own that compliments your eye shape can make all the difference. The truth is, different eye shapes need attention in specific areas to get the very best definition. If your makeup routine is not giving you the perfect liner look you desire, try some of the tips below. Discover your eye shape and find the best eyeliner tips for your gorgeous eyes.
Best Eyeliner Techniques for Monolids
Monolids are recognized by very tiny eyelids and a less defined socket. You’ll know you have a monolid if your eyelids are flat and barely have a crease, with a brow bone that is less defined.
This eye shape looks stunning with a cat eye look with a dramatic eyeliner flick. The best eyeliner for a monolid extends out, nearly as far as the eyebrow. Use an exaggerated wing to give your eyes shape and definition. To create a softer, sexy look create a smoky eye by smudging your simple cat makeup line up and out. Monolids are a fantastic canvas to experiment with all kinds of dramatic looks. Don’t be afraid to branch out and try a variety of colors and styles to have fun and embrace your eye makeup.
Best Eyeliner Techniques for Downturned Eyes
You’ll be able to spot a downturned eye if you look for an almond-shaped eye with a slight dip or droop at the outer corners. Finding the best eyeliner look for this eye shape can be tricky, but the goal is to give your eyes that lifted and open look.
Many people with down-sloping eyes get frustrated by the typical cat eye because the natural shape of their eye makes that trademark eyeliner flick hard to master. But there are a few expert tips to help you master the look, giving your downturned eye a look that goes up and out instead out and down.
Exaggerate the upward flick with your eyeliner, starting the flick much higher than you might think. Be sure to keep the eyeliner in the inner corner of each eye very thin, thickening it as you work outwards. Angle the wing up and out past your eye to give it a dramatic angle at the end. Choosing a make-up look that uses bright, contrasting colors will also help to lift your downturned eye.
Best Eyeliner Techniques for Close-Set Eyes
You can identify if you have close-set eyes by checking out the gap between the inside corners of your eyes. If you could not fit another eye into the space between them, then your eyes are close-set. Mastering the best eyeliner look for a pair of close-set eyes is all about emphasizing the outer corners of your eyes to create the illusion of more space between them.
Avoid wearing eyeliner on the inner half of your eyelid, or if you cannot resist, be sure to keep the line super-fine and tight. Use liner on the outer thirds of both the upper and lower lash line, making the line thicker at the outer corners and end with a very subtle flick. You can add drama to your makeup routine by using lots of mascara on your outer lashes. Keep liner away from your tear duct and instead use a lighter colored shimmery eyeshadow around your tear duct area to help open up the eye even more.
Best Eyeliner Techniques for Wide-Set Eyes
Discovering if you have wide-set eyes is similar to looking for eyes that are close-set. If your eyes are more than one eye-width apart, then you have wide-set eyes. This eye shape looks best when you define the inner corners of the eye to close in on some of the space. You have the benefit of playing with exaggerated liner techniques in the inner corners of your eye without making your eyes look small.
Use a dark color along your lash line and water line, starting right at the tear duct, pulling the liner across your whole eye, and giving it a small flick upwards at the outer edge. Wide-set eyes can look great with liner underneath the eye. You can smudge it once applied to create a more dramatic, sultry look.
Best Eyeliner Techniques for Round Eyes
Round eyes are usually curved on both the upper and lower lids, making them large and quite wide. If you can see the whites of your eyes above or below your iris when you look straight ahead, you have round eyes. Easily confused with almond-shaped eyes, round eyes have more whites of the eyes showing.
Because round eyes look naturally very wide, the best eyeliner techniques should aim to elongate the width of the eye shape to create a balance. Follow the natural line of the lashes with the same eyeliner thickness throughout. A cat eye can be the perfect look to create the illusion of length and a touch of drama. The key is to take the line of the eyeliner towards the end of the brow, as opposed to creating a liner look that flicks upwards. To add color and to make the most of this eye shape, use the most vivid and intense shades on the top lashline and outer corners.
Best Eyeliner Techniques for Hooded Eyes
Those with hooded eyes have a lid that droops or hangs over the natural crease of the eye, making it difficult to see the crease of the eye. Your eyelids are covered up by the skin on the brow bone. If you are the proud owner of hooded eyes, you know it can be hard to pull off some eye makeup looks because your makeup is essentially hidden when your eyes are open.
Because this can make your eyes look smaller, the best eyeliner looks will be bold, creating the illusion of wide opened eyes. Keep liner thinner in the inner corner, thickening it as you work your way out, similar to a look for a downturned eye shape. This will offer your eyes added definition. Emphasize the eye makeup that can be seen with a thick, bold wing.
You can make your eyes appear larger by tight-lining the upper lash line and piling on the mascara for gorgeous voluminous lashes. Beauty experts recommend counteracting the natural sleepy-eyed look created by hooded eyes by using a highlighter. Apply to the inner corners of the eyes and the brow bone, blending, so it looks natural but also gives you that wide-awake effect.
Best Eyeliner Techniques for Almond Eyes
You’ll know if you’ve got almond eyes if they are similar in shape to an actual almond. A beauty with almond eyes will have a very symmetrical eye that is an oval shape with slightly upturned outer corners. Often confused with a round eye shape, you’ll know you’ve got an almond eye if your iris is slightly covered by your upper and lower eyelids.
You’re in luck if you’ve got almond-shaped eyed! Nearly every beauty expert agrees that this eye shape looks good with almost everything! You’ve got the perfect classic shape to experiment and be bold or rock a classic look flawlessly. The best eyeliner for you could be thin, thick, winged or not, so choose a look that you love and rock it confidently.
To master a look that really opens up your eyes, try a classic cat eye. Apply your liner in a very thin line from the upper inside corner, following along the lid and making the line thicker as you go. When you reach the outer corner of your upper lid, add a small (or big!) flick to complement the natural curve of your eye. With this eye shape, you can also get away with lining your lower lash line. For a bold twist on the natural winged eyeliner look, try using added color, or smudging the liner upwards and outwards for a sexy look.
Conclusion
Mastering the art of makeup can be tricky, no matter what your eye shape. But with these tips and tricks, you are on track to success. Creating the perfect winged liner look may not be the same for everyone, but it is possible to master the look you want now that you know what eye shape you’re working with. Try out the techniques above and let us know how they go!