Do you ever feel like applying eyeshadow is like trying to find the right recipe for a delicious meal? It can be tricky if you don’t know the basics! Just as every recipe has specific steps, every eye shape has unique techniques for the best eyeshadow results. Imagine your eye shape as the foundation of a great dish—you need the right ingredients and methods to make it delicious.
Identifying Your Eye Shape
Before we dive into techniques, let’s figure out your eye shape. It’s like finding the starting point on a map before you set out on your adventure. Here’s a simple way to identify your eye shape:
- Round Eyes: If your eyes are wide and almost as tall as they are wide, you have round eyes.
- Almond Eyes: If your eyes are slightly pointed at the outer corners and your eye shape resembles an almond, you have almond eyes.
- Hooded Eyes: If you have a fold of skin that hides your crease when your eyes are open, you have hooded eyes.
- Monolid Eyes: If you don’t have a visible crease and your eyelid is smooth and flat, you have monolid eyes.
- Deep-Set Eyes: If your eyes appear to be set deeper into your eye sockets, you have deep-set eyes.
- Upturned Eyes: If the outer corners of your eyes are higher than the inner corners, you have upturned eyes.
- Downturned Eyes: If the outer corners of your eyes slope downward, you have downturned eyes.
Take a look in the mirror, and see which description fits you best. Once you know your eye shape, you’re ready to learn the best eyeshadow techniques for you!
Eyeshadow Techniques for Different Eye Shapes
Round Eyes
Technique: To make round eyes look longer and more elongated, you’ll want to create a more oval shape with your eyeshadow.
How-To: Start by applying a darker shade on the outer corners of your eyes and blend it towards the center of your eyelid. This technique helps to create the illusion of length. Highlight the inner corners and the center of your lid with a lighter shade to open up your eyes.
Tips: Avoid applying eyeshadow all over your lid. Instead, focus on elongating your eyes with darker shades on the outer edges.
Almond Eyes
Technique: Almond eyes are like the Goldilocks of eye shapes—they’re just right for almost any eyeshadow look.
How-To: Use a mix of light and dark shades to enhance your natural shape. Apply a lighter shade on your lid and a darker shade in the crease to add dimension. You can play around with different styles, from a classic smokey eye to a bold cut crease.
Tips: Almond eyes offer the most flexibility, so don’t be afraid to experiment with different eyeshadow techniques.
Hooded Eyes
Technique: With hooded eyes, the goal is to make your eyelids appear larger and more defined.
How-To: Apply your eyeshadow above the crease to avoid the fold of skin. Use a matte eyeshadow for your lid and blend a darker shade slightly above the crease. This technique creates the illusion of a higher lid.
Tips: Be sure to blend well to avoid harsh lines, and opt for matte shades instead of shimmery ones, which can draw attention to the hooded area.
Monolid Eyes
Technique: For monolid eyes, you want to create the appearance of a crease and add some depth.
How-To: Start by applying a light shade over your entire lid. Then use a darker shade on the outer corners and blend it into the center of your lid. This helps to create the illusion of a crease. You can also use eyeliner to define your eyes and add a subtle wing.
Tips: Avoid heavy, dark shades on the lid as they can overwhelm the monolid. Instead, focus on blending for a more natural look.
Deep-Set Eyes
Technique: With deep-set eyes, you want to open up the eye area and avoid making your eyes look even deeper.
How-To: Apply a light eyeshadow shade all over your lid and use darker shades on the outer corners. Highlight your brow bone to bring more attention to your eyes.
Tips: Avoid using dark eyeshadow all over your lid, as it can make your eyes appear smaller. Focus on lighter shades to open up the eye area.
Upturned Eyes
Technique: Upturned eyes have a natural lift, so you’ll want to accentuate this feature.
How-To: Use a darker shade on the outer corners and blend it upwards. Apply a lighter shade on the inner corners to balance out the lift of your eyes.
Tips: A winged eyeliner can enhance the natural upturned shape of your eyes, giving you a more dramatic look.
Downturned Eyes
Technique: For downturned eyes, the goal is to lift the appearance of your eyes.
How-To: Apply darker shades to the outer corners of your eyes and blend them upwards. Highlight the center of your lid to create the illusion of lifted eyes.
Tips: An upward winged eyeliner can complement the eyeshadow look and help lift the appearance of your eyes.