The eyes are the window to the soul, so let’s make those beauties stand out! Every client you encounter will have a different eye shape, and it’s important to know the best tips and techniques for enhancing their natural beauty.
“What eye shape do I have?”
This is a question we get a lot, so we’ve outlined each of the most common shapes of eyes below with tips on how to effectively accentuate different eye shapes, as well as which products will help you achieve maximum results for each of the different eye shapes. Educate yourself, get inspired, and stock your kit with these eye makeup essentials for a versatile kit anywhere you go.
The Different Eye Shapes:
Deep set eyes
Wide set eyes
Protruding eyes
Close set eyes
Upturned eyes
Downturned eyes
Hooded eyelids
Monolids
Deep Set Eyes
Having deep set eyes simply means the eyeballs are set further back into the skull, creating a more prominent brow bone. Famous faces with this shape of eye include Taylor Swift, Halle Berry, and Renee Zellweger.
For deep set eyes makeup, opt for lighter, highlighting colors to brighten the lid and to create the illusion of more eye space. The key with deep set eyes and makeup is to de-emphasize shadows caused by the brow bone. The Make Up For Ever Pro Glow Highlighter comes in a Pearly Rose and Iridescent Gold colors and works well to enhance a natural glow.
Wide Set Eyes
This shape of eye refers to eyes that are more than one eye-width apart. Famous faces with this feature include Michelle Pfeiffer, Oprah Winfrey, and Jackie O.
The goal of enhancing wide set eyes is to make them look closer together. The simplest way to achieve this is by using a dark liner around the entire rim of the eye, as well as the inner corners near the tear ducts. Jillian Dempsey’s Khol Eyeliner leaves a silky-smooth finish that lasts all day.
Protruding Eyes
Considered one of the more recognizable shapes of eyes, protruding eyes are very round, wide, and appear further out from the skull. Famous faces with this feature include Nicole Richie, Christina Ricci, and Emma Stone.
People with this shape of eye can typically pull off any makeup style, but most especially a dark smokey eye with false lashes and bold brows. Dose of Colors’ Smokey Soiree Eyeshadow Palette is the perfect option for a subtly seductive look. The versatile palette includes a mixture of matte and ultra-reflective shimmer shadows.
Close Set Eyes
Another recognizable type among the different eye shapes, close set refers to eyes that have more space between the temples and outer eye corners than between the actual eyes. Famous faces with this feature include Jennifer Anniston, Kristen Bell, and Miley Cyrus.
Opposite of wide set eyes, the goal here is to create the appearance of eyes that are farther apart. Light, reflective shadows applied to the inner corner of the eyes are effective but stay away from darker shades that will make the eyes look smaller.
The RMS Beauty Eye Polish creates a sheer, metallic finish that illuminates the eye and moisturizes all at the same time.
Upturned Eyes
This is the perfect shape of eye for a seductive cat eye. Upturned eyes are almond-shaped but curve upward towards the outer corners. Famous faces with this feature include Angelina Jolie, Kendall Jenner, and Beyonce.
Upturned eyes are best accentuated with a balance of shimmer and darker, matte hues. Avoid heavy eyeliners and choose appropriate shadow colors for the skin tone and eye color you’re working with for a more natural look.
Create the perfect look with the Mehron E.Y.E. and CHEEK Powder Palette. The powder-based shadows are designed for the most extreme HDTV close-up, so you can feel confident it will perform well and last all day long.
Downturned Eyes
Almond-shaped with the outer corners curved downward, the downturned shape of eye has a rounded upper lip and flat bottom. Famous faces with this feature include Katie Holmes, Anne Hathaway, and Marilyn Monroe.
When doing makeup for downset eyes, aim to create an artificial upward lift by accentuating the outer corners. Choose soft, warm shadows and liners that accentuate the eye color to create the appearance of bigger eyes.
Rituel De Fille’s Ash and Amber Eye Soot is actually an eyeshadow color product, but we also love it for soft, natural eyeliner. The rich texture is created with pure pigments and oils, so it won’t melt off or fade throughout the day. This eye soot is the perfect product to makeup downset eyes with a sultry lift.
Hooded Eyelids
Among the different eye shapes, hooded lids are known for creating the appearance of small, squinty eyes due to a hidden or less visible crease. Famous faces with hooded eyelids feature include Kate Moss, Lucy Liu, and Blake Lively.
Neutral tones will enhance the eyelid and create the appearance of bigger eyes without looking over the top. Highlighting shadow on the inner corner of the eyes and along the brow bone will also make this hooded lids shape of eyes appear more open.
An unusual favorite is Illamasqua’s Beyond Liquid Highlighter, which offers a lightweight glow and a dewy finish. Just a light dab to the inner corner of the eyes, and you’ll have a beautifully luminous, fresh-faced look.
Monolids
A common trait amongst Asian populations, monolids are the shape of eye defined by the upper lid completely overlapping the lower lid, creating the appearance of no eye crease and a softer brow bone. Famous faces with this feature include Sandra Oh, Jamie Chung, and Vera Wang.
The goal of applying makeup on this shape of eye is to develop a gradient of color without creating an artificial crease. Choose products that blend very easily to create a look that appears as if each layer is fading into the next. We love Stila’s Smudge Stick Waterproof Eye Liner because it’s easy to blend and manipulate upon initial application, but once it sets, your creation won’t budge.
Shop The Best Products for Different Eye Shapes
Now you’re ready to master makeup application for any of the different eye shapes! Arm your kit with the products mentioned above so you’ll be ready for any makeup style anywhere you go.
1) Deep Set Eyes: Make Up For Ever Pro Glow Highlighter
2) Wide Set Eyes: Jillian Dempsey’s Khol Eyeliner
3) Protruding Eyes: Dose of Colors’ Smokey Soiree Eyeshadow Palette
4) Close Set Eyes: RMS Beauty Eye Polish
5) Upturned Eyes: Mehron E.Y.E. and CHEEK Powder Palette
6) Downturned Eyes: Rituel De Fille’s Ash and Amber Eye Soot
7) Hooded Eyelids: Illamasqua’s Beyond Liquid Highlighter
8) Monolids: Stila’s Smudge Stick Waterproof Eye Liner
About Camera Ready Cosmetics
Camera Ready Cosmetics was founded in 2003 by makeup artist Mary Erickson. An industry veteran for more than 30 years, Mary knows quality and value and understands what an artist needs. Mary is the buyer for Camera Ready Cosmetics and chooses only what she would use on set.
If you don’t find the product you’re looking for on our site, that’s because we have something better. Just ask us!
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