Do you ever feel like your eyes get lost, no matter how much makeup you apply? It’s a common frustration for those with smaller eyes. The good news is that with a few simple techniques, you can create the illusion of bigger, brighter, and more open eyes. It’s all about strategic application and choosing the right products to enhance your natural features.
This guide will walk you through eight game-changing eye makeup hacks specifically designed for small eyes. From mastering the perfect eyeliner style to shaping your brows for maximum impact, these tips will help you make your eyes the star of the show. Get ready to transform your makeup routine and see your eyes in a whole new light.
1. Brighten with Light Eyeshadow on Inner Corners
One of the quickest ways to create a wide-eyed effect is to place a light, reflective eyeshadow on the inner corners of your eyes. This simple trick catches the light and instantly makes your eyes appear brighter, wider, and more awake. It’s like a mini spotlight for your eyes.
Best Shades and Application
For this technique, opt for shades like champagne, soft gold, pearly white, or shimmery nude. These tones work well with most skin tones and add a touch of luminosity without being overwhelming.
To apply, use a small, dense brush or even your pinky finger. Dab a small amount of the light shadow right at the inner corner, where your upper and lower lash lines meet. Blend it out slightly so there are no harsh lines. This small detail makes a surprisingly big difference.
2. Choose the Right Eyeliner Style
When it comes to eye makeup for small eyes, the way you apply your eyeliner is crucial. A thick, heavy line can easily overwhelm your lids and make your eyes look even smaller. The goal is to define your eyes without closing them off.
Eyeliner Tips for Small Eyes
- Keep it Thin: Opt for a thin line of eyeliner as close to your upper lash line as possible. This defines the shape of your eye without taking up precious lid space.
- Try Tightlining: Tightlining is a technique where you apply eyeliner to the upper waterline (the strip of skin right underneath your upper lashes). This makes your lash base look fuller and adds definition in a very subtle, natural way. Use a waterproof pencil to prevent smudging.
- Go Easy on the Lower Liner: Applying a dark, heavy liner to your lower lash line can make your eyes appear closed-off and smaller. If you want some definition, use a soft brown shadow and a smudging brush to apply it very lightly to the outer third of your lower lash line.
3. Use Nude Eyeliner on the Waterline
While dark liner on the lower waterline can make eyes look smaller, a light-colored liner has the opposite effect. Applying a nude or white eyeliner pencil to your lower waterline is a classic makeup artist trick to make eyes look larger and more awake. It works by canceling out any redness and extending the whites of your eyes.
Nude vs. White Eyeliner
- White Eyeliner: Creates a very bright, wide-eyed look. It can sometimes appear a bit stark, especially on deeper skin tones, but it’s great for a more dramatic effect.
- Nude Eyeliner: Offers a more natural-looking result. It subtly brightens and opens up the eyes in a way that’s almost imperceptible. This is an excellent choice for everyday makeup.
You can find great options at any price point. The NYX Professional Makeup Wonder Pencil is a fantastic drugstore find, while the Tarte Fake Awake Eye Highlight is a high-end favorite.
4. Master the Subtle Wing
A winged eyeliner look can beautifully elongate the eye, but a dramatic, thick wing can be too much for smaller eyes. The key is to create a subtle, thin wing with a slight upward flick at the outer corner. This draws the eye outward and upward, creating the illusion of a larger, more lifted eye shape.
How to Draw the Perfect Wing for Small Eyes
Start by drawing a very thin line along your upper lash line. When you reach the outer corner, draw a short, thin flick angled up toward the tail of your eyebrow. Then, connect the tip of the wing back to your lash line, creating a tiny triangle. Fill it in, keeping the wing delicate and sharp. Avoid making the wing too long or thick, as this can overpower your eye.
5. Use Mascara Strategically
Mascara is a must-have for making eyes pop, but how you apply it matters. A good curling and lengthening mascara can work wonders for opening up small eyes.
Mascara Application Tips
- Always Curl Your Lashes: This is a non-negotiable step. Curling your lashes instantly lifts them, making your eyes look more open. Hold the curler at the base of your lashes for a few seconds, then move it to the middle and tips for a full, C-shaped curl.
- Focus on the Upper Lashes: Apply two to three coats of mascara to your upper lashes, wiggling the wand from the base to the tips. This adds volume and length where it matters most.
- Go Light on Lower Lashes: A heavy coat of mascara on your lower lashes can create shadows and make your eyes look droopy. Apply a single, light coat or skip it altogether for a more lifted look.
6. Highlight the Brow Bone
Just as highlighting the inner corner brightens your eyes, highlighting the brow bone adds height and dimension. Applying a soft, shimmery highlighter right under the arch of your brow creates an instant lifting effect, making your eyes appear larger.
Choose a highlighter that is a shade or two lighter than your skin tone. A matte cream or soft champagne shimmer works best. Avoid anything too glittery, which can look dated. Use a small, flat brush to apply the highlighter just below the highest point of your brow arch and blend it out.
7. Shape and Define Your Brows
Your eyebrows frame your eyes, so well-groomed brows can make a huge difference. A clean, arched brow creates more space on your eyelid and gives the illusion of a more lifted eye area.
Brow Tips for Small Eyes
- Find Your Arch: A well-defined arch lifts the entire eye area. To find your natural arch, hold a pencil from the side of your nose diagonally across your pupil. Where the pencil hits your brow is where your arch should be.
- Fill Them In: Use a brow pencil, powder, or pomade to fill in any sparse areas. Focus on creating a natural-looking fullness, not an overly drawn-on shape.
- Keep Them Neat: Pluck any stray hairs below your brow to maintain a clean shape. This extra space makes your eyes look bigger.
8. Use Eyeshadow to Create Depth
Eyeshadow isn’t just about color; it’s about creating dimension. With the right contouring techniques, you can make your eyes look larger and more prominent.
Eyeshadow Blending Methods
- Contour the Crease: Apply a matte eyeshadow that is a few shades darker than your skin tone into your crease. This creates the illusion of a deeper-set eye, which makes it appear larger. Blend it well to avoid harsh lines.
- Create a Gradient: Use a gradient of colors on your lid. Apply the lightest shade on the inner third of your lid, a medium shade in the center, and the darkest shade on the outer third. This technique draws light to the center of your eye and adds depth to the outer corner, making your eyes look wider.
- Blend, Blend, Blend: The key to any good eye makeup look is blending. Use a fluffy blending brush to soften all the edges so the colors transition seamlessly into one another.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Should I avoid dark eyeshadow colors if I have small eyes?
A: Not necessarily. While you should be careful with very dark colors all over the lid, you can still use them to create depth. Use dark shades sparingly on the outer corner of your eye or as a soft liner to add definition without closing off the eye.
Q: Does glitter eyeshadow make small eyes look smaller?
A: Chunky glitter can sometimes be overwhelming on small eyelids. However, fine, shimmery eyeshadows are great for attracting light and making eyes look bigger. Apply a touch of shimmer to the center of your lid or the inner corner to add a pop.
Q: What is the most important makeup product for making small eyes look bigger?
A: If you could only choose one, a good eyelash curler and a lengthening mascara would make the biggest impact. Curling and coating your lashes instantly opens up the eyes.
Your New Go-To Makeup Routine
With these eight hacks, you can easily enhance your eyes and make them appear larger and more expressive. It’s not about changing your features, but rather learning the right techniques to highlight your natural beauty. Experiment with these tips and see which ones work best for you.
You might find that a combination of tightlining, a nude waterline, and strategic mascara application becomes your new daily routine. Play around with different eyeshadow placements and brow shapes until you discover the perfect eye makeup for your small eyes.
