Have you ever wondered why that eyeshadow look you saw online doesn't quite translate the same way on you? Or perhaps you've noticed a certain eyeliner style that makes your friend's eyes pop but leaves yours looking a little...off? The secret often lies in understanding your unique eye shape. Just like faces come in all shapes and sizes, so do eyes! Identifying your eye shape is the first step in unlocking a world of makeup techniques, lash styles, and even glasses frames that are perfectly tailored to accentuate your natural beauty.
Knowing your eye shape isn't just about vanity; it's about empowerment. It allows you to make informed decisions about your makeup and style choices, saving you time, money, and frustration in the long run. Instead of blindly following trends, you can curate a personalized look that truly celebrates and enhances your individual features. Understanding your eye shape also boosts your confidence, helping you feel comfortable and beautiful in your own skin.
What are the different eye shapes and how do I identify mine?
Do my eyes have a crease?
Whether your eyes have a crease or not is a primary factor in determining your eye shape. A crease, also called a lid crease, is the fold of skin that forms above your eyelid when your eye is open. If you have a visible fold or line above your eyelashes when your eyes are open, then yes, you have a crease. If you don't, you likely have a monolid shape.
Having a crease is a common characteristic shared by many eye shapes, including hooded, almond, and round eyes. The depth, length, and shape of the crease can further define your specific eye shape within these categories. For example, a deep crease might indicate hooded eyes, while a more subtle, elongated crease is typical of almond-shaped eyes. The crease's position relative to your brow bone also plays a role; hooded eyes have a crease partially or fully obscured by the brow bone. If you're unsure whether you have a crease, look directly into a mirror with your eyes relaxed and open naturally. Pay close attention to the area between your eyelashes and brow bone. If you see any visible fold or line of skin, even a faint one, it indicates you have a crease. Monolids, on the other hand, will have a smooth, uninterrupted plane of skin from the lash line to the brow bone, without any distinct fold.Can you see white above or below my iris?
If you can consistently see white (the sclera) above or below your iris when your eyes are in a neutral, forward-facing position, you likely have round or prominent eyes, or your eyes might be considered to have a round or "doll-like" shape. This visible sclera is often referred to as having a "scleral show."
The presence of visible sclera significantly impacts the overall appearance of the eyes. It can make the eyes appear larger, more alert, and even more youthful. However, it's important to distinguish between a natural scleral show, which is due to the shape of the eye socket and surrounding tissues, and a condition called "eyelid retraction," which may be a symptom of thyroid eye disease or other medical problems. Eyelid retraction typically involves more pronounced scleral show and other accompanying symptoms like redness, irritation, and bulging of the eyes. Keep in mind that factors like age, ethnicity, and even facial expressions can influence how much sclera is visible. As we age, the tissues around our eyes can lose elasticity, potentially leading to increased scleral show. Furthermore, individuals of certain ethnic backgrounds might naturally have slightly different eye shapes and configurations that affect scleral visibility. To be completely sure about what might cause the changes in your eye appearance, you should consult with an optometrist or ophthalmologist.Do my eyes slant upwards or downwards?
To determine your eye slant, observe the outer corners of your eyes in relation to the inner corners. If the outer corners appear higher than the inner corners, your eyes slant upwards. Conversely, if the outer corners are lower than the inner corners, your eyes slant downwards. If they appear roughly level, your eyes have a neutral slant.
Eye slant can dramatically influence your overall facial appearance and is a key factor in understanding your eye shape. Upward-slanted eyes are often associated with a more youthful and energetic appearance, while downward-slanted eyes can convey a sense of gentleness or melancholy. It's important to note that eye slant is a spectrum; the degree of upward or downward slant can vary significantly from person to person. Consider drawing an imaginary straight line from the inner corner (closest to your nose) of your eye to the outer corner. If your outer corner lies above the line, your eyes slant upwards. If it lies below the line, they slant downwards. Don't overthink it – a slight upward or downward tilt is perfectly normal and contributes to your unique features!Are my eyes deep-set or protruding?
To determine if your eyes are deep-set or protruding, observe the position of your eyeballs relative to your brow bone and cheekbones. Deep-set eyes are set further back into the skull, creating a prominent brow bone. Protruding eyes, conversely, appear to bulge outward from the eye socket.
Deep-set eyes often give the appearance of a more shadowed or hooded upper eyelid because the brow bone casts a shadow. You might also notice that more of your brow bone is visible above your eye. When applying makeup, people with deep-set eyes often need to focus on brightening the inner corners and using lighter shades on the lid to bring the eyes forward. Consider whether your upper eyelid is partially hidden by your brow bone even when your eyes are open and relaxed; this is a common indicator of deep-set eyes. Protruding eyes, on the other hand, tend to appear larger and more prominent. The upper eyelid may appear to have less of a crease, or the crease may be less defined. Individuals with protruding eyes might find that their eyes are more prone to dryness because more of the eyeball surface is exposed. A subtle way to check for this feature is to gently close your eyelids. If your eyelids don't fully cover the eyeball or if there's a visible gap between your eyelids when closed, it might be indicative of protruding eyes.Is there visible eyelid space when my eyes are open?
If you can see a portion of your upper eyelid between your eyelashes and your brow bone when your eyes are relaxed and looking straight ahead, then yes, you have visible eyelid space. This is a key characteristic in determining your eye shape.
The amount of visible eyelid space, or lack thereof, helps to categorize different eye shapes. For instance, hooded eyes are characterized by a prominent brow bone that covers much of the upper eyelid, leaving little to no visible space. Conversely, eyes with a more open or rounded shape will typically have a larger area of the upper eyelid visible. Consider looking in a mirror and carefully observing the area between your lash line and brow bone. Note how much, if any, of the lid is visible. Keep in mind that other factors, such as the presence of a crease, the angle of your outer corners, and the distance between your eyes, also contribute to your overall eye shape. Therefore, while visible eyelid space is an important clue, it shouldn't be the only factor considered when figuring out your eye shape. Observe multiple aspects of your eyes to get a better understanding.Do my eyelids cover my upper lash line?
Whether your eyelids cover your upper lash line is a key factor in determining your eye shape. If your upper eyelid significantly covers your upper lash line, then you likely have hooded eyes. If you can see your entire eyelid and lash line, you likely do not have hooded eyes, though the presence of a crease above the lid is a separate consideration for eye shape.
The degree to which your eyelid covers your lash line dictates, in part, how your eye makeup will look and how easily certain techniques can be applied. For example, individuals with hooded eyes often find that eyeshadow applied to the visible lid disappears when the eye is open because it's obscured by the upper eyelid. Therefore, they often need to adjust their application techniques to compensate for this characteristic. Understanding whether your eyelids cover your lash line is a critical first step in determining your overall eye shape, which can influence the types of makeup looks and application techniques that best suit you. If you are still unsure, try taking a picture of yourself with your eyes looking straight ahead into a mirror. Compare the image to examples of different eye shapes to get a better understanding of your unique features.Is the outer corner of my eye higher than the inner corner?
If the outer corner of your eye sits visibly higher than the inner corner, your eye shape is likely upturned. This gives the face a lifted, almost cat-like appearance.
Upturned eyes are defined by this upward slant from the inner corner towards the outer corner. To confirm, look straight ahead in a mirror. Visualize a horizontal line drawn from the inner corner of your eye. If the outer corner extends significantly above that imaginary line, then the defining characteristic of upturned eyes is present. The degree of the upturn can vary – some may have a subtle lift, while others have a more dramatic angle.
Often, upturned eyes are confused with almond-shaped eyes. While there can be some overlap, the key difference is the direction of the outer corner. Almond eyes are symmetrical, tapering to a point at both the inner and outer corners. Upturned eyes have that distinct upward lift at the outer corner, regardless of the overall almond shape. Knowing your eye shape is helpful for applying makeup techniques that best flatter your features, such as winged eyeliner, which tends to enhance the natural lift of upturned eyes.
So, there you have it! Hopefully, you've got a better idea of your eye shape now and can confidently choose makeup that'll make your eyes pop. Thanks for reading, and we hope you'll come back soon for more beauty tips and tricks!