How to Style Different Eye Shapes with Makeup (So They truly pop)

Introduction

Not all eye makeup looks the same on every eye—and that’s the magic of makeup. Your eye shape plays a huge role in how shadow, liner, and lashes sit on the face. Once you understand your natural shape, you can apply makeup in a way that enhances your eyes, lifts your features, and brings out your personality.

Here’s your guide to the most common eye shapes—and how to style each one like a pro.

How to Identify Your Eye Shape

Stand in front of a mirror and relax your face. Look at:

• Your crease: Is it visible or hidden?

• The outer corners: Do they lift up or down?

• How much lid space you have

• Whether you can see the whites above or below your iris when looking straight ahead

  
  

You may fall into more than one category—that’s completely normal! Use this as a guide, not a rulebook.

1. Almond Eyes

   
   

What they look like:

• Oval shape that tapers at the inner and outer corners

• Visible lid space with a balanced crease

  
  

Style Tips:

• Emphasise the outer corner with soft winged shadow

• Apply eyeliner along the top lash line and flick slightly outward

• Use shimmer on the centre of the lid to make them pop

  
  

Best for: Most eyeshadow styles, smoky eyes, cat-eye liner

2. Hooded Eyes

What they look like:

• A fold of skin hangs over the crease

• The mobile lid is partially or fully hidden when eyes are open

  
  

Style Tips:

• Apply shadow slightly above the natural crease to create lift

• Use matte shadows on the hood to avoid emphasising texture

• Keep eyeliner thin or tightlined to avoid closing off the eye

• Curl lashes and focus mascara on the outer corners

  
  

Best for: Soft smokey looks, lifted shadow techniques, false lashes with a natural base

3. Monolids

What they look like:

• No visible crease

• Smooth eyelid space from lash line to brow bone

  
  

Style Tips:

• Focus on gradient shading from lash line upward

• Use gel or liquid liner with a strong flick for definition

• Add depth with darker tones near the lash line and blend up

• Shimmer works beautifully on the centre of the lid

  
  

Best for: Graphic liner, bold lids, multidimensional blending

4. Round Eyes

What they look like:

• Large, open appearance

• Visible whites above or below the iris when looking straight ahead

  
  

Style Tips:

• Use darker shadows on the outer third of the eye to elongate

• Smudge liner along the lash line rather than a heavy wing

• Focus lashes more on the outer corners to create lift

  
  

Best for: Elongated shadow looks, smudged liner, flared lashes

5. Downturned Eyes

   
   

What they look like:

• Outer corners tilt downward below the inner corner

• Naturally soft and gentle eye shape

  
  

Style Tips:

• Use shadow to create an upward flick at the outer edge

• Avoid dragging liner down past the lash line

• Apply lashes with more volume on the outer corners for lift

  
  

Best for: Lifted shadow techniques, soft wings, feline flicks

6. Upturned Eyes

What they look like:

• Outer corners sit higher than the inner corners

• Bottom lash line naturally lifts

  
  

Style Tips:

• Balance the top and bottom lash lines with a bit of shadow underneath

• Create soft wings to emphasise the shape

• Add shimmer to the inner corner to open the eye further

  
  

Best for: Fox eye looks, classic liner, halo eyes

7. Close-Set Eyes

What they look like:

• Less space between the eyes (typically less than one eye width apart)

  
  

Style Tips:

• Highlight the inner corners to open the eyes

• Focus eyeshadow on the outer half of the eye

• Avoid dark liner on the inner corners

  
  

Best for: Elongated looks, soft gradient blending outward

8. Wide-Set Eyes

   
   

What they look like:

• More space between the eyes (more than one eye width apart)

  
  

Style Tips:

• Apply darker shadow closer to the inner corners

• Keep lashes focused toward the centre

• Avoid pulling shadow too far outward

  
  

Best for: Rounded styles, inner corner depth, mid-lid emphasis

Final Thoughts

Every eye shape is beautiful—and with the right techniques, you can enhance yours in a way that feels effortless and elevated. Makeup isn’t about changing your features; it’s about celebrating them. Try out the tips that resonate with your shape, and most importantly—have fun with it.

Love & Artistry, Philippa