Flawless Makeup Tips for Every Eye Shape

Your Eye Shape Matters—Here’s Why

Kind of like your nail beds or your cheeks, different eye shapes affect the way makeup sits and looks. The first step to nailing makeup for your eye shape is determining your eye shape in the first place.

“Your eye shape plays a big role in what’s visible when your eyes are open, how light hits, and where shadows naturally fall,” explains BLACK RADIANCE brand ambassador and professional makeup artist Tiesha Williams. “Custom placement helps create visual symmetry, even when your eyes aren’t perfectly identical. It draws attention to what you want to highlight, like lifting the outer corners, brightening the inner corners, or defining the crease. It also helps balance proportions so your eyes look open, awake, and intentional, both in person and in photos. Tailoring your technique prevents common issues, too, like liner disappearing under a fold or shimmer losing its shine. Ultimately, using the right approach for your eye shape gives you cleaner lines, longer wear, and a look that feels effortlessly flattering.”

Eye Makeup Tips for Each Eye Shape

As we’ve mentioned, given the wide variety of eye shapes out there, different tips and tricks apply. Here, our pros break down their own tried-and-true pointers to nailing those eye looks, no matter the eyes.

Eyes With Monolids

Photo by Arnold Jerocki via Getty Images

“Since monolids often have a smaller eye shape, it’s best to focus on brightening and opening up the eyes,” Williams says. “My favorite way to do this is by lining the lower waterline with a light shade, like nude or white eyeliner.”

The KOKIE PROFESSIONAL Chrome Gel Eyeliner in Peach is the perfect balance between nude and white if you don’t want to go too bright. 

Hooded Eyes

Photo by Gregg DeGuire / Stringer via Getty Images

“For hooded eyes, I love creating the look of a crease with makeup, since it’s not naturally visible” the pro shares. “The best way to do this is by using a darker eyeshadow to add depth just above the hooded area with a precision brush. This technique gives the illusion of a crease and really helps open up the eyes.”

Most of the shades from the RACHEL COUTURE 16 Color Eyeshadow Palette in All About Hue should do the trick. 

Almond Eyes

Photo by Axelle/Bauer-Griffin via Getty Images

“I love creating a winged liner on almond-shaped eyes,” Williams says. “For a softer, more doe-eyed look, try angling the wing upward. If you’re going for a sultrier, more alluring vibe, keep the wing straight for that elongated effect.”

We always reach for the BLINC Eyeliner Pencil when we’re on the go and need something that will apply effortlessly. 

Round Eyes

Photo by Taylor Hill via Getty Images

“Round eyes are often beautifully large, making them the perfect shape for a smoky eye,” Williams suggests. “Their openness really lets the artistry of a smoky look shine through, without making the eyes appear smaller when they’re closed.”

Upturned Eyes

Photo by Mike Marsland via Getty Images

“Balance the shape by applying liner along the lower lash line and adding a touch of highlighter to the inner corners to brighten the eyes,” advises Lindsay Worthen, a cosmetologist and campus director at Ogle School for beauty. “A smoky eye complements upturned eyes beautifully, but be sure to blend the shadow upward and outward for a lifted, seamless look.”

Downturned Eyes

Photo by Dia Dipasupil / Staff via Getty Images

“A winged eyeliner helps balance the downturned eye shape really well,” the expert shares. “To subtly lift the eyes, concentrate darker shadow on the outer corners to draw attention upward.”

Close-Set Eyes

Photo by John Shearer via Getty Images

“Highlight the inner corners of the eyes to create the illusion of a wider set,” Worthen says. “A winged liner will also help draw attention outward, enhancing lift and balance.”

Wide-Set Eyes

Photo by Axelle/Bauer-Griffin via Getty Images

The pro advises to “Avoid extending liner or shadow too far outward, and instead focus on the inner corners to create the illusion of closer-set eyes.”

Best Universal Eye Makeup Tips for All Shapes and Sizes

While eye makeup isn’t one-size-fits-all, there are some tips that apply across the board. These may seem obvious, but you’ll always want to prime your lids for long-lasting wear, blend eyeshadow with a blending brush, and use high-quality brushes specially designed for specific techniques.

Williams advises focusing on brows and mascara, if nothing else. 

“Groomed, filled-in brows paired with mascara, even on the softest natural lashes, instantly make you look put-together,” she says. “Also, don’t forget to tightline your eyes. Adding liner to your top waterline makes your eyeliner look like a pro did it. And for that extra lift, curl your lashes before and after applying mascara. For daytime looks, you can’t go wrong with a brown eyeliner. It’s soft, flattering, and effortlessly chic.”

As for Worthen, she notes that people of all eye shapes can get frustrated with eye liner application. It’s no easy feat (we can attest!). 

“Liquid liners can be tricky to apply, especially on more mature skin,” she says. “If you struggle to apply liquid liner, try using a shadow with a damp angled brush. You can also use different tools as a stamp to create a winged look with minimal effort. Always curl your lashes to open up the eye and create maximum volume. The brows are another important feature when completing the look. The brows frame the face and make a big difference in how your eye makeup looks once finished.”

The MODA® BRUSH Moda® Rainbow Complete Face 6pc Kit is a starter brush kit we recommend, as it includes an angled eyeliner brush and smudge brush, giving you flexibility with how you want to wear your liner look.

Eye Makeup for Different Eye Shapes FAQ

What’s the best eyeliner technique for hooded eyes?

“When applying eyeliner, look straight into the mirror instead of closing your eye,” Williams says. “This helps you avoid drawing the line too thick and covering up your lid.”

How can I make my eyes look bigger with makeup?

“You could apply a light-colored eyeliner to the waterline to open up the eyes, and highlight

the inner corners with a light, shimmery shadow for a brightening effect,” Worthen suggests. “Another

option is curling your lashes to lift and widen the eyes, and adding a subtle winged liner to help elongate their shape. Blending eyeshadow in a gradient from dark to light also creates depth and dimension, while tightlining the upper lash line with a dark liner adds definition without making the eyes look smaller.”

What’s the best eyeshadow palette for beginners?

Worthen recommends the BEAUTY CREATIONS Nude X Shadow palette, thanks to its budget-friendly price point and range of neutral shades that’s easy for beginners to use. Another budget-friendly buy recommended by our experts is the BLACK RADIANCE Brilliant Effects Eyeshadow Palette in Starstruck. Williams is a fan because she says it delivers rich pigment to every skin tone, from fair to deepest.   

We’re personally huge fans of the KIMCHI CHIC BEAUTY Happy Eyeshadow Palette, which boasts a stellar price point, but also includes 15 pigmented shades in matte and buttery shimmers. When we want to create smoky neutral looks, this is where we start. 

Final Thoughts

If you struggle to nail your eye makeup look, regardless of brushes or products, you’re not alone. There are nearly a dozen different eye shapes, which we doubt most people realize. This means everyone struggles and strides in their own way. If you find yourself having issues, there are plenty of tips and tricks to guide your eye makeup journey, including special blending techniques, eyeliner application, and colors that can enhance your look. If you need an extra eye makeup boost, check out the IPSY Shop to get inspired!