There’s a vast sea of makeup tips on the internet, many of which are tailored for specific eye shapes. From deep-set to hooded, almond to round, how your eyes are shaped and set can also influence your ideal eyeliner style and eyeshadow applications. The tricky part? The differences between eye shapes can be subtle, making it hard to pinpoint your exact type.
For instance, I followed hooded eye tutorials for years before I discovered the tips for deep-set eyes. And now my eyeliner wing actually looks right. Ahead, we’re breaking down how to determine your eye shape with insight from experts.
Featured Experts
- Natalie Dresher is a makeup artist based in Miami
- Ash K. Holm is IPSY’s chief makeup artist
Why Is Your Eye Shape Important?
@nickii #eyeshape #tiktokfilter ♬ Bad Habit – Steve Lacy
“Determining your eye shape is crucial to understanding the correct tips for your eye look,” says Miami makeup artist Natalie Dresher. “Picture guides are the most helpful for determining your own eye shape as well as understanding the basic features of your eyes.”
“Once you’ve identified your eye shape, you can choose the best makeup techniques to enhance them,” adds IPSY’s Chief Makeup Artist, Ash K. Holm. “For example, hooded eyes benefit from techniques like extending your crease or using lighter shades to open up the area. Almond eyes, on the other hand, can pull off a wide range of styles—from sultry smoky eyes to sleek cat eyes.”
Ultimately, knowing your eye shape can help you better see what areas to pay attention to. “Your eye shape is unique to you,” Holm explains. “And learning how to enhance it will help you put your best face forward!”
How to Determine Your Eye Shape
There are a few key details that ultimately comprise someone’s eye shape.
“Determining your eye shape can be done by examining your eye and seeing if they are more downturned or upturned, the amount of eyelid space you have, and the general shape of your eye (ex: round, almond, etc),” Dresher explains. “You also want to make sure the features apply to both eyes, as not every two eyes are the same.”
Step-By-Step
Look at Your Crease
“One of the easiest ways to identify your eye shape is to assess how visible your crease is,” explains Holm. “If your crease is barely visible or not visible at all when your eyes are open, you likely have monolids or hooded eyes.”
Almond and round eyes, on the other hand, display more lid space when open.
Check Your Eye Alignment
“When it comes to determining a client’s eye shape I try and focus on where the eye turns,” Dresher explains. “Does it turn in at the inner corner? Does it turn down at the outer corner?”
You can check this easily in the mirror.
“Stand in front of a mirror and observe if the outer corners of your eyes tilt up, down, or stay straight,” Holm advises. “If your eyes lift at the outer corners, you may have upturned eyes. When they tilt slightly downward, your shape is likely downturned. If the outer corners don’t significantly tilt either way, you probably have almond or round eyes.”
Consider Your Eye Size in Relation to Your Face:
It also helps to know if you have wide- or close-set eyes. “Knowing this can help you enhance the spacing with makeup, whether you’re drawing attention inward or creating the illusion of more space,” Holm says.
Determine Roundness or Length
The shape of your eyes when open can help you figure out whether they’re more round or almond-shaped. Round eyes often benefit from liners and shadows that create the illusion of added length, while almond eyes naturally suit the cat-eye look.
“If your eyes are more circular when fully open, they’re likely round,” Holm explains. “Almond eyes tend to be longer and more tapered at the ends, giving a slightly more elongated appearance.”
