Find the Best Makeup for Different Eye Shapes in 2026

Your eyes are a focal point of your face. Different eye types require distinct makeup styles. Understanding your eye shape helps you choose the right eyeliner, shadow, and application methods to achieve your best look.

Identify Your Eye Shape

Before you begin, determine your eye shape. Eye shapes include almond, wide-set, close-set, hooded, large, small, upturned, downturned, mono-lids, deep-set, and double eyelids. Once you know your eye shape, you can follow specific application steps.

Makeup for Mono-lids

Mono-lids are smaller eyes without a visible eyelid crease or with a very reduced one. Your goal here is to create definition and make the unique eyelid appear more open and prominent.

Step-by-Step Application for Mono-lids:

1. Apply Mid-Tone Shadow: Use a mid-tone shade from an Artistry Go Vibrant Eyeshadow Quad. Apply this color to two-thirds of your eyelid, moving from the outer corner towards the inner corner of your eye.

   This creates a base that adds depth.

2. Add Accent Color: Apply an accent color from the same quad in the same manner. Extend this accent color further towards the outer corner of the eye.

   This enhances the outer portion and creates visual length.

3. Highlight Brow Bone: Finish by applying an intense illuminating shadow shade on your brow bone.

   This lifts and brightens the area above the eye.

4. Apply Eyeliner: Apply Artistry Go Vibrant Waterproof Eye Pencil along your entire lash line. Focus more on the inner corner of your eye.

   You have the option to use a liquid or pencil eyeliner.

5. Keep Eyeliner Thin: Keep the eyeliner line on the thinner side. Apply it very close to your lashes.

   A thin line prevents the eye from looking overwhelmed and maintains an open appearance.

Watch out for: Thick eyeliner lines. These reduce the appearance of your lid space, working against your goal of making the eye look more open.

Makeup for Double Eyelids

Double eyelids have a secondary, thin eyelid fold just above the upper lash line. Your goal is to maximize the appearance of this eyelid.

Step-by-Step Application for Double Eyelids:

1. Fill Crease with Mid-Tone Matte: Use a mid-tone matte eyeshadow shade from an Artistry Go Vibrant Eyeshadow Quad. Fill in the contour area from the outer corner towards the inner corner of your eye.

   This defines the crease without drawing too much attention.

2. Apply Lighter Shade to Lash Line: Use a lighter shade to fill in the lash line area. Apply this from the outer corner to the inner corner.

   This brightens the mobile lid.

3. Extend to Lower Lash Line: Apply the same lighter shade along your lower lash line.

   This balances the eye and adds a soft definition.

4. Highlight Brow Bone: Apply an intense illuminating shade over your brow bone.

   This brings attention to the brow area and opens the eye.

5. Eyeliner Application: Apply eyeliner to two-thirds of your upper lash line, starting from the outer corner. Line half of your lower lashes.

   This defines the eye without overpowering it.

Watch out for: Bright or metallic colors in the crease. These can make the crease appear more prominent than intended. Stick to matte finishes for defining the contour.

Makeup for Larger and Round Eyes

If your eyes are larger or round, you aim to define them and create a more balanced shape, often enhancing lash appearance.

Step-by-Step Application for Larger and Round Eyes:

1. Highlight Center of Lid: Apply a bright shadow, such as Shade No.3 from any Artistry Go Vibrant Eyeshadow Quad, to the center of your eyelid. Also apply this shade under the center of your brow.

   This highlights the natural roundness without exaggerating it.

2. Use Thicker Eyeliner: Choose a thicker line when applying your eyeliner. This applies to both liquid and pencil options.

   A thicker line helps to define and reshape large or round eyes.

3. Focus Eyeliner and Shadow Outward: Concentrate your eyeliner and shadow application on the outer area of your eyes.

   This creates a more balanced shape and elongates the eye.

Pro Tip: Larger and round eyes also look striking with a smoky eye makeup look. This deepens the eye and reduces the appearance of roundness.

Makeup for Small Eyes

Small eyes often appear small because the brow area is shortened or more prominent. Your goal is to make them look larger and more open.

Step-by-Step Application for Small Eyes:

1. Apply Lightest Shade to Entire Lid: Apply the lightest color from an Artistry Go Vibrant Eyeshadow Quad across your entire eyelid.

   This brightens the lid and creates an illusion of more space.

2. Apply Darker Shade in Crease: Apply a darker eyeshadow color in the crease, focusing on the outer edges.

   This adds depth without closing off the eye.

3. Highlight Lids: Apply highlighter on your eyelids.

   Highlighting brings the eyelids forward, making the eyes appear larger.

4. Keep Eyeliner Thin: Keep your eyeliner line thin and close to your lashes.

   This defines the eye without shrinking its appearance.

Watch out for: Overly thick eyeliner lines. These create a "raccoon" effect and make your eyes look smaller than they are.

Makeup for Hooded Eyes

Hooded eyes have a pronounced eyelid that folds over the crease, sometimes shadowing the eye. Your goal is to minimize the appearance of the hood.

Step-by-Step Application for Hooded Eyes:

1. Apply Light Color to Entire Lid: Apply a light eyeshadow shade from an Artistry Go Vibrant Eyeshadow Quad across your entire eyelid.

   This brightens the mobile lid and helps bring it forward.

2. Apply Darker Shade to Hooded Area: Without closing your eyes, apply a darker eyeshadow color to the hooded area above your eyelid.

   Applying with eyes open ensures placement is visible when your eyes are open. The darker color minimizes the hooded area's appearance.

Result: The darker color minimizes the hooded area, and the lighter color brings the lids forward, making your eyes appear more open.

Makeup for Deep-Set Eyes

Deep-set eyes are positioned beneath a prominent brow bone. When applying makeup, your objective is to bring the eyes forward.

Step-by-Step Application for Deep-Set Eyes:

1. Line Upper and Lower Lids: Line your upper and lower eyelids with a mid-tone Artistry Go Vibrant Waterproof Eye Pencil.

   This defines the eye subtly without making it recede further.

2. Apply Shimmer to Lids and Crease: Apply a bright, shimmering eyeshadow shade to your eyelids and extend it towards the crease.

   The shimmer formula creates the illusion of bringing the eyelids forward, minimizing the depth beneath the brows.

Pro Tip: Instead of black or brown eyeliner, try using a complementary color. For green eyes, violet works well. For brown eyes, blue or violet shades look great. Bronze appears incredible with blue eyes.

Makeup for Wide-Set Eyes

For wide-set eyes, your aim is to bring them visually closer together by focusing darker tones on the inner areas.

Step-by-Step Application for Wide-Set Eyes:

1. Focus Darker Shadows Inward: Apply the most intense eyeshadow shades, such as Shades No.2 and No.4 from any Go Vibrant Eyeshadow Quad, to the center and inner part of your eyelids. Blend these colors towards the outer edges of the eye.

   This brings visual weight to the inner eye area.

   

2. Highlight Below Brow Center: Shade No.3 from Go Vibrant can be applied as a touch of sparkle just below the center of the brow.

   This adds a subtle lift without pulling attention too far outward.

3. Eyeliner Application: You can use any form of eyeliner: pencil, liquid, or powder. Ensure you start lining from the inner corners of the eyelid. Begin with a thicker line and make it thinner towards the outer edge.

   Starting thick at the inner corner helps to visually reduce the space between the eyes.

Watch out for: The cat-eye effect is not ideal for wide-set eyes. Extend your eyeliner only to where your lashes end, avoiding an outward flick that exaggerates the width.

Makeup for Close-Set Eyes

For close-set eyes, your goal is to create an illusion of wider spacing between the eyes.

Step-by-Step Application for Close-Set Eyes:

1. Brighten Inner Corner: Apply an extra touch of your perfect shade of Artistry Future Glow Serum Concealer - Fair to the inner corner of your eyes to cover any darkness.

   This brightens the area, creating a sense of more space.

2. Create a Gradient with Shadows: Create a gradient effect with your eyeshadow on the eyelid, going from light to dark. Start with the lightest shade in the inner corner.

   This visual progression helps to extend the eye outwards.

3. Specific Shadow Placement:
   • Use any Shade No.3 from an Artistry Go Vibrant Eyeshadow Quad on the inner third of your eyelid.
   • Apply any Shade No.2 in the middle of your eyelid.
   • Blend any Shade No.4 into the outer corner of your eyes.

   This precise color placement creates the desired visual expansion.

4. Eyeliner Application: When applying eyeliner, start at the midpoint of your upper lash line, not the inner corner of the eyelid. Line outwards.

   Starting eyeliner from the middle avoids emphasizing the closeness of the eyes.

5. Lift at Outer Corner: You can lift the eyeliner at the outer corner to create an elongated effect.

   This further enhances the illusion of wider-set eyes.

Makeup for Downturned Eyes

Downturned eyes have outer corners that point downwards. Your goal is to reduce this downward slope and create a lifted appearance.

Step-by-Step Application for Downturned Eyes:

1. Apply Darker Shade to Outer Corner: Apply a darker shade from an Artistry Go Vibrant Eyeshadow Quad to the outer corner of your eye, specifically where the eye begins to droop.

   This strategic placement counteracts the downward angle.

2. Blend Upward and Toward Crease: Blend this darker color upwards and towards the crease.

   Blending upward creates a visual lift.

3. Eyeliner on Upper Lids Only: Apply Artistry Go Vibrant Waterproof Eye Pencil to your upper eyelids only.

   Avoid lining the lower lash line, as it can further emphasize the downturn.

4. Lift Eyeliner at Outer Corner: At the outer corners, line slightly upwards instead of following the natural downward slope.

   This technique creates an immediate lifting effect.

Makeup for Upturned Eyes

Upturned eyes have outer corners that lift upwards. Your goal is to balance this natural lift and enhance the eye shape.

Step-by-Step Application for Upturned Eyes:

1. Prep with Concealer: Prepare your eyelids with Artistry Future Glow Serum Concealer - Fair.

   This creates a smooth, even base for shadow application.

2. Set with Neutral Shade: Always use a neutral eyeshadow shade, such as Shade No.1 in the Artistry Go Vibrant Eyeshadow Quad, to set the concealer.

   Setting prevents creasing and prolongs wear.

3. Apply Darker Shade to Outer Corners: Apply the darkest shade (any Shade No.4) to the outer corners of your eyelid and extend it towards the crease.

   This defines the outer eye and adds depth.

4. Blend Mid-Tone to Center and Crease: Blend a mid-tone shade, or any Go Vibrant Shade No.2, into the center of your eyelid and in the crease.

   This creates a smooth transition and adds dimension.

5. Apply Darker Shadow to Lower Lash Line: Apply a darker eyeshadow shade to your lower lash line.

   This balances the lifted upper lid and defines the bottom of the eye.

Makeup for Almond Eyes

Almond eyes have the most balanced proportions and broad angles. The ideal approach is to emphasize the corners and highlight their shape. This is the perfect shape for a cat-eye effect.

Step-by-Step Application for Almond Eyes:

1. Define Outer Halves: Apply a medium to dark shade to the outer half of both your upper and lower lashes. Extend this shade to form a subtle, or not so subtle, liner at the end.

   This enhances the natural almond shape and prepares for the winged liner.

2. Apply Dark Shadow Along Upper Lash Line: Apply a dark eyeshadow shade from an Artistry Go Vibrant Eyeshadow Quad along your upper lash line. This includes applying it over your eyeliner from the inner corner to the outer corner.

   This intensifies the lash line and creates a seamless blend with your liner.

3. Apply Mid-Tone to Entire Lid: Apply a medium eyeshadow shade across your entire eyelid and towards the crease.

   This adds dimension and completes the overall shadow look.

Pro Tip: The cat-eye effect is well-suited for almond eyes due to their balanced shape, allowing for dramatic or subtle winged liner.

Additional Eyeliner Advice

Beyond eye shape and size, consider your eyelid texture when choosing makeup, especially eyeliner. Rick DiCecca, Creative Director of Makeup Design for Artistry products in North America, provides specific guidance:

• For textured eyelids: If your eyelids have texture, such as small folds or wrinkles, or if they are puffy or sensitive, select a long-wear eye pencil.

  Pencils are more forgiving and less likely to feather or tug on textured skin.

• For smooth, non-sensitive eyelids: If your eyelids are smooth and not sensitive, you have the option to choose between a long-wear pencil or a liquid eyeliner.

  Both types apply easily and wear well on smooth skin.