Understanding the shape of your eyes can be helpful when it comes to applying makeup, choosing eyewear, and determining what kind of eyeliner to use. Different eye shapes require different approaches and techniques, so it's important to know what shape your eyes are before you start experimenting. We will discuss how to determine what eye shape you have and provide some tips for enhancing your natural eye shape.
The Basic Eye Shapes
There are six basic eye shapes: round, almond, hooded, monolid, downturned, and upturned. Here's a brief overview of each one:
Round: Round eyes are characterized by a circular shape and a visible crease. They tend to be larger in size, and the distance between the eyes is typically wider.
Almond: Almond eyes have an elongated shape that resembles the shape of an almond. They have a visible crease, but the outer corners of the eyes are slightly pointed.
Hooded: Hooded eyes have a fold of skin that covers the natural crease of the eye, making the eyelid appear smaller. The brow bone may also be more prominent.
Monolid: Monolid eyes don't have a visible crease, and the eyelid appears to blend into the skin on the upper part of the eye. They tend to have a flatter appearance.
Downturned: Downturned eyes have a drooping appearance at the outer corners, giving the eyes a sad or tired look.
Upturned: Upturned eyes have a slight upward tilt at the outer corners, giving the eyes a more cheerful, youthful appearance.
How to Determine Your Eye Shape
To determine your eye shape, start by standing in front of a mirror with good lighting. Look straight ahead and observe the overall shape of your eyes. Pay attention to the following features:
1. Eye Size: Determine if your eyes are large, medium, or small in size.
2. Distance Between Eyes: Measure the distance between your eyes to determine if they are close-set, wide-set, or average.
3. Crease: Look for a visible crease on your eyelid. If there is a crease, determine if it's a deep crease or a shallow crease.
4. Eyelid Space: Determine how much space there is between your lash line and your eyebrow. This will help you determine if you have a lot of eyelid space or a little.
5. Eye Angle: Determine the angle of your eyes by looking at the outer corners. Are they angled upward or downward?
Once you have observed these features, you can determine your eye shape by matching them up with the descriptions above.
Enhancing Your Eye Shape
Now that you know what eye shape you have, you can use this information to enhance your natural features. Here are some tips for enhancing each eye shape:
Round Eyes:
To make round eyes appear more elongated, apply eyeliner to the outer corner of the eye and extend it slightly upward. Avoid applying liner to the inner corner of the eye, as this can make eyes appear smaller.
Almond Eyes:
Almond eyes are versatile and can be enhanced with a variety of makeup techniques. To make them stand out, apply a dark shadow to the outer corner of the eye and blend it into the crease.
Hooded Eyes:
To create the illusion of larger eyes, apply a light, shimmery shadow to the inner corner of the eye and the brow bone. Use a darker shadow on the outer corner of the eye to create depth.
Monolid Eyes:
To create the appearance of a crease, apply a medium-toned shadow to the upper eyelid and blend it upward. Use a darker shadow to create depth and dimension, and add eyeliner along the lash line to define the eye.
Downturned Eyes:
To lift the outer corners of downturned eyes, apply eyeliner to the outer corner of the eye and extend it upward. Use a light, shimmery shadow on the inner corner of the eye to brighten the area.
Upturned Eyes:
To enhance the upward tilt of upturned eyes, apply eyeliner to the upper lash line, extending it slightly upward. Use a darker shadow on the outer corner of the eye to create depth.
In addition to makeup techniques, choosing the right eyewear can also enhance your eye shape. For example, cat-eye frames can complement almond and upturned eyes, while round frames can balance out the features of a square or angular face.