Types of Eye Shapes: Ultimate Guide to Different Eye Shapes

Our eyes are more than just windows to the soul. They are one of our most striking and expressive facial features. Have you ever looked at someone's eyes and noticed their unique shape and contours? Eye shapes come in various varieties, and every eye shape has a unique charm. The shape of our eyes can highlight different parts of our face, flatter different makeup looks, and even give insight into our ancestry and cultural background. 

 In this beauty blog, I will explore the different types of eye shapes, explore their characteristics, and familiarize you with the makeup styles that enhance your eyes' beauty. Whether you have almond-shaped stunners or round ones, understanding your eye shape can help you make the most of your gorgeous eyes. Understanding the types of eye shapes can also help you enhance your makeup techniques and help you choose the perfect eyewear.

What Eye Shape Do I Have?

Figuring out your eye shape is essential in makeup application. Knowing your eye shape helps you better your eye makeup in the most flattering way, ensuring better longevity. You can figure out your eye shape with the following simple steps:

1. Look straight into a mirror with your eyes open wide but relaxed. Don't pull at the corners.

•  Examine the overall outline and curve of your eyes:
• You likely have almond eyes if they are elongated with slightly pointed outer corners.
• You have round eyes if they are round with curved edges all around.
• You may have monolid or hooded eyes if there is little to no crease visible when open.

• You have upturned or "cat" eyes if the outer corners point slightly up.
• You have downturned or "droopy" eyes if the outer corners angle down a bit.

• If there is a wide space between them, you have wide-set eyes.
• If they are pretty close together, you have close-set eyes.

Why Is Figuring Out Eye Shape Important In Makeup Application?

Determining your eye shape helps you enhance your natural features and create flattering and long-lasting looks. Each eye shape has unique characteristics, and using the proper techniques can make a difference. For example, if you have hooded eyes, applying eyeshadow in a particular way can prevent creasing and ensure your makeup stays put throughout the day. 

Similarly, certain eyeliner styles can enhance their natural beauty if you have almond-shaped eyes. By identifying your eye shape, you can master the art of makeup application, ensuring that your efforts complement your facial features rather than working against them. 

Understanding your eye shape empowers you to experiment with different looks, play up your strengths, and achieve a polished appearance, highlighting your natural beauty.

Different Types Of Eye Shapes

Almond Eyes 

Almond eyes are pointy at the outer corners, not round. These eye types are characterized by a slightly upswept outer corner and a balanced proportion between the upper and lower lids. Almond eyes are considered the "ideal" eye shape because of their versatility and ability to work well with various makeup styles. 

Almond eyes have a naturally elongated appearance, which can create an elegant look. Their symmetrical, curved shape is considered youthful and balanced looking. The outer corners lifting slightly is a key feature that gives almond eyes their recognizable "almond" outline.

Round Eyes

Round eyes have a wide appearance and curved shape. They lack distinct angles and corners, giving them a soft and gentle look. Round eyes often convey a sense of playfulness and youthfulness. 

Since round eyes are so open and curved, they can create an approachable, welcoming expression on the face. Makeup techniques can enhance the shape and make the eyes appear more elongated.

Monolid Eyes

Monolid eyes are also known as single eyelids. Monolid eye shapes do not have a defined crease separating the eyelid into distinct sections. Instead, the eyelid appears smooth and without a visible fold. Monolid eyes are commonly seen in East Asian heritage. They have a clean and minimalist appearance that can release simplicity and elegance. Different makeup techniques can create the illusion of depth and dimension on the lid.

Downturned Eyes

Downturned eyes have outer corners that point down slightly. The outer edges of the eyes tilt downward instead of going straight across or upward. This can sometimes make the eyes look a bit droopy or sad. The outer corners of the eyes slope downward, resembling a subtle cat-eye effect. 

Downturned eyes can benefit from makeup techniques that lift and visually open up the eyes to create a more uplifted and balanced look. However, their natural downward slope at the outer edges gives downturned eyes their distinct and attractive look.

Upturned Eyes

Upturned eyes have a natural upward tilt at the outer corners, which creates a lifted and awakened appearance. They often give a playful and flirty vibe. The outer corners of upturned eyes may resemble a slight wing. This eye shape can be highlighted with makeup techniques that point out the upward tilt, such as winged eyeliner or eyeshadow application that follows the natural lift.

Close-Set Eyes

Close-set eyes have a narrower space between them, with the inner corners closer together. This eye shape draws attention to the center of the face. The goal with close-set eyes is to balance the distance between them visually using makeup techniques. By applying makeup to the outer corners and using light, highlighting shades on the inner corners, you can create the illusion of a wider eye set.

Wide-Set Eyes

Wide-set eyes have a noticeable distance between them, giving the face an open and clear look. An increased space between the eyes characterizes them. With wide-set eyes, the focus is on harmonizing features and balancing the overall eye appearance. Makeup techniques can create the illusion of a closer eye set by applying darker shades on the inner corners and bringing attention to the center of the face.

Hooded Eyes

Hooded eyes have extra skin or folds that hang over the crease of the upper eyelid when the eyes are open. This excess skin covers part of the lid, making it look smaller or "hooded" under that fold. Hooded eyes can give a mysterious or seductive look because part of the lid is covered.

When doing makeup for hooded eyes, techniques focus on creating the appearance of more visible lid space. Using eyeliner and eyeshadow in specific ways can help make hooded lids look more open and lifted.

Impact of Eye Shape on Makeup Application

The eye's shape can significantly impact how makeup looks and wears throughout the day. Let me explain to you in a very simple way.

If you have round eyes, specific makeup techniques, like adding definition to the outer corners, can give them more dimension and prevent that wide-eye surprised look. For hooded eyes, precise eyeshadow placement is key, so you keep that pretty lid space under the hooded crease.

With almond-shaped eyes, most makeup styles are super flattering! But you'll want to master things like a subtle cat-eye flick to play up that attractive almond shape. Ladies with downturned eyes look striking when rocking a slightly thicker liner on the outer portion to counteract that downward tilt. And for those with a monolid, experimenting with different graphic liner shapes helps create dimension.

Knowing your unique eye shape allows you to enhance your natural beauty and apply makeup in the most flattering way possible. It's like having a custom cheat code to unlock your most smoldering or bright-eyed look every time!

Characteristics of Different Types of Eye Shapes

Different eye shapes have their unique characteristics. They are:

Almond Eye

1. Almond-shaped eyes are symmetrical, with the outer corners slightly higher than the inner corners.
2. This eye shape is versatile and can carry many makeup looks.
3. Almond-shaped eyes usually have a visible eyelid space. This makes them ideal for experimenting with different eyeshadow techniques.

Round Eye

1. Round eyes tend to be larger, creating an open and inviting look.
2. The rounded curve of the eye gives a soft and innocent appearance.
3. The eyelid is often visible, providing a surface for creative eye makeup.

Hooded Eye

1. Hooded eyes have a leading crease that causes the upper eyelid to appear hidden when the eyes are open.
2. Hooded eyes have smaller visible lids, making the eyeshadow application a bit challenging.
3. Hooded eyes often have long lashes that can be pointed up for an attractive effect

Monolid Eye

1. Monolid eyes lack a defined crease, giving a smooth, single-eyelid appearance.
2. Monolids often have a clean surface, perfect for minimalistic makeup looks.
3. With the proper techniques, monolid eyes can be enlarged and emphasized.

Downturned Eye

1. The edges of downturned eyes slope downward, creating a slight cat-eye effect.
2. Downturned eyes often have less visible lid space, requiring specific makeup techniques to enhance their shape.
3. This eye shape is associated with a unique glamour.

Upturned Eye

1. Upturned eyes have an upward tilt at the outer corners, often resembling a slight wing.
2. Upturned eyes are associated with a youthful and energetic appearance.

Close-Set Eye

1. Close-set eyes have a relatively narrow space between them, drawing attention to the center of the face.
2. The goal is to balance the distance between the eyes using makeup techniques visually.
3. Close-set eyes often have an intense and mesmerizing quality.

Wide-Set Eye

1. Wide-set eyes have a noticeable distance between them, creating a sense of openness.
2. Using makeup techniques, the goal is to balance the distance between the eyes with other facial features.
3. Wide-set eyes often convey a calm presence.

Makeup Tips For Various Eye Shapes

Different eye makeup techniques can flatter the various eye shapes:

Almond Eyes:

1. Use a medium eyeshadow shade on the crease to highlight the natural curved shape.
2. Do a subtle winged eyeliner look on the outer corners to enhance the upswept almond outline.
3. Apply mascara evenly on top and bottom lashes to make almond eyes look more open.

Round Eyes:

1. Use a lengthening mascara to make round eyes look more stretched and elongated.
2. Put a darker eyeshadow in the outer corner and crease area to add more dimension to the round shape.
3. Highlight the inner corners with a shimmery shade to brighten and widen the appearance.

Hooded Eyes:

1. Use a matte eyeshadow in the crease area to add depth without looking harsh.
2. Smudge eyeliner along lashlines for a softer, more flattering look on hooded lids.
3. Curl lashes and use a lengthening mascara to draw eyes up and outward.

Monolid Eyes:

1. Apply a lighter eyeshadow on the inner corners, gradually getting darker toward the outer corners.
2. Do a subtle winged eyeliner look to help elongate and define the eye shape. You can use StansOut Beauty Black Diamond Eyeliner for easy and even application, which ensures better longevity.
3. False lashes can add extra drama.

Downturned Eyes:

1. Put a medium matte eyeshadow on the outer corner area and blend it upwards to lift the eye.
2. Extend eyeliner just past the outer corners to counteract the downward droop.
3. Curl lashes and use a volumizing mascara to open up downturned eyes.

Upturned Eyes:

1. Do a winged eyeliner look, angling it upwards to enhance the upturned shape.
2. Use a light shimmery shadow on the inner corners to lift and brighten further.
3. Emphasize lashes by curling them and using a lengthening mascara formula.

Close-Set Eyes:

1. Apply a darker eyeshadow on the outer corners and blend it outward to make the eyes look farther apart.
2. Use a light shimmery shade on inner corners to create more perceived space.
3. Extend eyeliner slightly past the outer corners for a wider, more open look.

Wide-Set Eyes:

1. Put a darker shadow on the inner corners and blend it inward to make the eyes look closer together.
2. Use a mid-tone crease shade to add depth and balance to wide-set eyes.
3. Apply mascara evenly on top and bottom to keep the look cohesive.

Final Thoughts on Types of Eye Shapes

Figuring out the Different types of eye shapes is essential in makeup application, which enhances and creates an elegant look for eye makeup. The beauty of our eyes lies not only in their colors but also in their unique shapes. Understanding the diversity of eye shapes allows us to appreciate and celebrate each person's individuality. By determining our eye shape and employing suitable makeup techniques, we can enhance our natural beauty and showcase our eyes as captivating focal points. Whether you have almond-shaped eyes, round eyes, hooded eyes, or monolid eyes, there are endless possibilities for enhancing their glamour.