Eyeliner is one of the most versatile and essential makeup products that can transform your look from subtle to dramatic, from casual to glamorous, and from day to night. However, not all eyeliner styles suit every eye shape, and applying eyeliner the wrong way can make your eyes look smaller, droopy, or uneven. Therefore, it's important to know how to apply eyeliner for your specific eye shape, to enhance your natural beauty and flatter your features.
1. ALMOND EYES:
Almond eyes are characterized by a slightly pointed outer corner and a visible crease. Almond eyes are considered the ideal eye shape, as they can pull off any eyeliner style. However, if you want to accentuate your almond shape, you can try a classic winged eyeliner, which can lift and elongate your eyes. To create a winged eyeliner for almond eyes, you will need:
- A liquid or gel eyeliner, such as the Maybelline New York Eye Studio Master Precise Liquid Eyeliner¹ or the L'Oréal Paris Infallible Gel Lacquer Liner²
- A small angled brush, if you are using a gel eyeliner
Here are the steps to follow:
- Start by drawing a thin line along your upper lash line, from the inner corner to the outer corner of your eye.
- Extend the line slightly past the outer corner of your eye, following the natural angle of your lower lash line. This is the base of your wing.
- Draw another line from the tip of the wing to the middle of your upper lash line, creating a small triangle.
- Fill in the triangle with the eyeliner, and smooth out any edges or gaps.
- Repeat the same steps on the other eye, and make sure the wings are symmetrical and even.
2. HOODED EYES:
Hooded eyes are characterized by a fold of skin that covers the crease and most of the eyelid. Hooded eyes can make it difficult to see the eyeliner, especially if it is too thin or too close to the lash line. Therefore, the best eyeliner style for hooded eyes is a thick and bold eyeliner, which can create the illusion of a bigger and more defined eye. To create a thick and bold eyeliner for hooded eyes, you will need:
- A waterproof and smudge-proof liquid or gel eyeliner, such as the L'Oréal Paris Infallible Grip Precision Felt Liquid Eyeliner³ or the Maybelline New York Tattoo Studio Gel Pencil Eyeliner⁴
- A small angled brush, if you are using a gel eyeliner
Here are the steps to follow:
- Start by drawing a thick line along your upper lash line, from the inner corner to the outer corner of your eye. Make sure the line is visible when your eyes are open, and adjust the thickness accordingly.
- Extend the line slightly past the outer corner of your eye, following the natural angle of your lower lash line. This is the base of your wing.
- Draw another line from the tip of the wing to the middle of your upper lash line, creating a small triangle.
- Fill in the triangle with the eyeliner, and smooth out any edges or gaps.
- Repeat the same steps on the other eye, and make sure the wings are symmetrical and even.
3. ROUND EYES:
Round eyes are characterized by a circular shape and a large amount of white space around the iris. Round eyes can look wide and bright, but also lack dimension and definition. Therefore, the best eyeliner style for round eyes is a smoky and sultry eyeliner, which can add some depth and drama to your eyes. To create a smoky and sultry eyeliner for round eyes, you will need:
- A creamy and blendable pencil eyeliner, such as the Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil or the NYX Professional Makeup Slide On Pencil
- A small smudge brush or a cotton swab
Here are the steps to follow:
- Start by lining your upper and lower lash lines with the pencil eyeliner, from the inner corner to the outer corner of your eye. Don't worry about being precise, as you will smudge the lines later.
- Extend the lines slightly past the outer corner of your eye, creating a soft wing. You can also lift the wing slightly, to counteract the roundness of your eyes.
- Use the smudge brush or the cotton swab to gently smudge and blend the lines, creating a smoky effect. You can also add some eyeshadow in a similar or darker shade, to intensify the look.
- Repeat the same steps on the other eye, and make sure the wings are symmetrical and even.
4. MONOLID EYES:
Monolid eyes are characterized by a lack of a visible crease or fold on the eyelid. Monolid eyes can look sleek and smooth, but also flat and dull. Therefore, the best eyeliner style for monolid eyes is a graphic and colorful eyeliner, which can add some shape and fun to your eyes. To create a graphic and colorful eyeliner for monolid eyes, you will need:
- A bright and pigmented liquid or gel eyeliner, such as the NYX Professional Makeup Vivid Brights Eyeliner or the ColourPop BFF Liquid Liner
- A small angled brush, if you are using a gel eyeliner
Here are the steps to follow:
- Start by drawing a thin line along your upper lash line, from the inner corner to the outer corner of your eye.
- Extend the line slightly past the outer corner of your eye, following the natural angle of your lower lash line. This is the base of your wing.
- Draw another line from the tip of the wing to the middle of your upper lash line, creating a small triangle.
- Fill in the triangle with the eyeliner, and smooth out any edges or gaps.
- You can also draw another line above your crease, parallel to your wing, creating a double wing effect. You can also use a different color for this line, to create a contrast.
- Repeat the same steps on the other eye, and make sure the wings are symmetrical and even.
5. DOWNTURNED EYES:
Downturned eyes are characterized by a downward slope at the outer corners of the eyes. Downturned eyes can look sad and tired, but also sweet and innocent. Therefore, the best eyeliner style for downturned eyes is a lifted and flicked eyeliner, which can counteract the droopiness and make your eyes look more awake and alert. To create a lifted and flicked eyeliner for downturned eyes, you will need:
- A liquid or gel eyeliner, such as the Maybelline New York Eye Studio Master Precise Liquid Eyeliner¹ or the L'Oréal Paris Infallible Gel Lacquer Liner²
- A small angled brush, if you are using a gel eyeliner
Here are the steps to follow:
- Start by drawing a thin line along your upper lash line, from the inner corner to the outer corner of your eye.
- Extend the line slightly past the outer corner of your eye, but instead of following the natural angle of your lower lash line, draw the line upwards, creating a flick. This will lift your eyes and make them look more open.
- Draw another line from the tip of the flick to the middle of your upper lash line, creating a small triangle.
- Fill in the triangle with the eyeliner, and smooth out any edges or gaps.
- Repeat the same steps on the other eye, and make sure the flicks are symmetrical and even.
6. UPTURNED EYES:
Upturned eyes are characterized by an upward tilt at the outer corners of the eyes. Upturned eyes are considered the opposite of downturned eyes, and they can look happy and flirty, but also sharp and fierce. Therefore, the best eyeliner style for upturned eyes is a balanced and curved eyeliner, which can soften the edges and make your eyes look more harmonious and natural. To create a balanced and curved eyeliner for upturned eyes, you will need:
- A liquid or gel eyeliner, such as the Maybelline New York Eye Studio Master Precise Liquid Eyeliner¹ or the L'Oréal Paris Infallible Gel Lacquer Liner²
- A small angled brush, if you are using a gel eyeliner
Here are the steps to follow:
- Start by drawing a thin line along your upper lash line, from the inner corner to the outer corner of your eye.
- Extend the line slightly past the outer corner of your eye, but instead of following the natural angle of your lower lash line, draw the line downwards, creating a curve. This will balance your eyes and make them look more round.
- Draw another line from the tip of the curve to the middle of your upper lash line, creating a small triangle.
- Fill in the triangle with the eyeliner, and smooth out any edges or gaps.
- Repeat the same steps on the other eye, and make sure the curves are symmetrical and even.
7. CLOSE-SET EYES:
Close-set eyes are characterized by a small distance between the eyes, usually less than one eye width. Close-set eyes can look crowded and narrow, but also intense and focused. Therefore, the best eyeliner style for close-set eyes is a winged and bright eyeliner, which can create the illusion of more space and width between the eyes. To create a winged and bright eyeliner for close-set eyes, you will need:
- A black or dark brown liquid or gel eyeliner, such as the Maybelline New York Eye Studio Master Precise Liquid Eyeliner or the L'Oréal Paris Infallible Gel Lacquer Liner
- A small angled brush, if you are using a gel eyeliner
- A white or nude pencil eyeliner, such as the NYX Professional Makeup Jumbo Eye Pencil or the Rimmel London Scandaleyes Waterproof Kohl Kajal Eyeliner
Here are the steps to follow:
- Start by drawing a thin line along your upper lash line, from the middle to the outer corner of your eye. Avoid lining the inner corner, as this can make your eyes look closer together.
- Extend the line slightly past the outer corner of your eye, creating a wing. Make sure the wing is angled upwards, to lift and open your eyes.
- Draw another line from the tip of the wing to the middle of your upper lash line, creating a small triangle.
- Fill in the triangle with the eyeliner, and smooth out any edges or gaps.
- Repeat the same steps on the other eye, and make sure the wings are symmetrical and even.
- Apply the white or nude pencil eyeliner to your lower waterline, to brighten and widen your eyes.
8. WIDE-SET EYES:
Wide-set eyes are characterized by a large distance between the eyes, usually more than one eye width. Wide-set eyes can look spacious and expressive, but also distant and disconnected. Therefore, the best eyeliner style for wide-set eyes is a smudged and dark eyeliner, which can create the illusion of less space and more connection between the eyes. To create a smudged and dark eyeliner for wide-set eyes, you will need:
- A black or dark brown pencil eyeliner, such as the Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil or the NYX Professional Makeup Slide On Pencil
- A small smudge brush or a cotton swab
Here are the steps to follow:
- Start by lining your upper and lower lash lines with the pencil eyeliner, from the inner corner to the outer corner of your eye. Make sure the line is thicker at the inner corner, and thinner at the outer corner, to balance your eyes.
- Use the smudge brush or the cotton swab to gently smudge and blend the lines, creating a smoky effect. You can also add some eyeshadow in a similar or darker shade, to intensify the look.
- Repeat the same steps on the other eye, and make sure the lines are symmetrical and even.
9. SMALL EYES:
Small eyes are characterized by a small size and shape of the eyes, usually with less white space around the iris. Small eyes can look cute and delicate, but also hidden and dull. Therefore, the best eyeliner style for small eyes is a thin and tight eyeliner, which can create the illusion of bigger and more defined eyes. To create a thin and tight eyeliner for small eyes, you will need:
- A black or dark brown liquid or gel eyeliner, such as the Maybelline New York Eye Studio Master Precise Liquid Eyeliner or the L'Oréal Paris Infallible Gel Lacquer Liner
- A small angled brush, if you are using a gel eyeliner
Here are the steps to follow:
- Start by drawing a thin line along your upper lash line, as close to the lashes as possible, from the inner corner to the outer corner of your eye. Avoid extending the line past the outer corner, as this can make your eyes look smaller.
- Draw another thin line along your lower lash line, as close to the lashes as possible, from the inner corner to the outer corner of your eye. Connect the lines at the outer corner, creating a small flick. This will lift and open your eyes.
- Repeat the same steps on the other eye, and make sure the lines are symmetrical and even.
10. LARGE EYES:
Large eyes are characterized by a large size and shape of the eyes, usually with more white space around the iris. Large eyes can look stunning and captivating, but also overwhelming and exaggerated. Therefore, the best eyeliner style for large eyes is a thick and bold eyeliner, which can create the illusion of smaller and more proportionate eyes. To create a thick and bold eyeliner for large eyes, you will need:
- A black or dark brown liquid or gel eyeliner, such as the L'Oréal Paris Infallible Grip Precision Felt Liquid Eyeliner or the Maybelline New York Tattoo Studio Gel Pencil Eyeliner
- A small angled brush, if you are using a gel eyeliner
Here are the steps to follow:
- Start by drawing a thick line along your upper lash line, from the inner corner to the outer corner of your eye. Make sure the line is visible when your eyes are open, and adjust the thickness accordingly.
- Extend the line slightly past the outer corner of your eye, following the natural angle of your lower lash line. This is the base of your wing.
- Draw another line from the tip of the wing to the middle of your upper lash line, creating a small triangle.
- Fill in the triangle with the eyeliner, and smooth out any edges or gaps.
- Repeat the same steps on the other eye, and make sure the wings are symmetrical and even.
CONCLUSION:
Eyeliner is one of the most versatile and essential makeup products that can transform your look from subtle to dramatic, from casual to glamorous, and from day to night. However, not all eyeliner styles suit every eye shape, and applying eyeliner the wrong way can make your eyes look smaller, droopy, or uneven. Therefore, it's important to know how to apply eyeliner for your specific eye shape, to enhance your natural beauty and flatter your features.