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How to Make Your Eyes Look Bigger: Mesmerize with Every Glance

Jami Stansfield
August 23, 2024
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Have you ever wondered how some people seem to have those wide, captivating eyes that draw you in? As a makeup artist, I've often been asked how to achieve that look—the kind that makes your eyes appear bigger and more awake, no matter the occasion. It's a question I love answering because, with the right techniques, it does transform your whole look.

When it comes to eye makeup, one of the most magical effects is making the eyes look bigger and more awake. Small adjustments in makeup techniques can make all the difference in achieving this look. Whether your eyes are naturally small or you just want to emphasize their shape for a more dramatic look, several techniques, and products can help to create an illusion of bigger and brighter eyes. In this guide, I’ll share some of my go-to tips on how to make your eyes look bigger and to achieve that captivating, wide-eyed effect.

Understanding Eye Shape and Basic Tools

Before diving into the specific techniques, it's essential to understand your eye shape and how to work with it. After all, different eye shapes do take different approaches to pursue the makeup of the desired result. Here’s a guide to help you grasp your eye shape and master the basic tools needed to create the illusion of bigger eyes.

Identifying Your Eye Shape

Understanding your eye shape is crucial for applying makeup that makes your eyes appear larger. Here are some common types of eye shapes:

  • Almond Eyes: These eyes are slightly tapered at the inner and outer corners, meaning they are uniformly shaped and can have different looks easily.
  • Round Eyes: These eyes are characterized by their noticeable curve and appear larger and more open. The goal is to elongate them to create a more balanced look.
  • Hooded Eyes: These eyes have a fold of skin that partially covers the eyelid. This can make the eyes appear smaller, but with the right techniques, you can lift and define them.
  • Monolid Eyes: These eyes lack a visible crease, giving them a smooth, uninterrupted surface. Makeup can be used to create the illusion of depth and dimension.
  • Downturned Eyes: These eyes droop slightly on the outer corners, but this effect can be fixed with makeup techniques that lift the outer corner creating an open eye effect.
  • Upturned Eyes: These eyes have a natural lift at the outer corners. Enhancing this lift with makeup can make their naturally bright eyes pop.

Basic Tools To Enhance Eye 

1. Eyeshadow Brushes: These are used for lid application, blending eye makeup in the crease, and detailing inner corners and lower lash lines.
2. Eyeliner Brushes: An angled liner brush is perfect for precise gel or cream liner application, while a fine-tip brush is ideal for delicate, thin lines.
3. Eyelash Curler: This provides the curl and lift to the lashes, creating an appearance where your eyes are more open.
4. Mascara: Defines and lengthens the lashes for their volume, so the eyes appear larger.
5. Eyelash Primer: Prepares and conditions your lashes for mascara applications while adding more volume.
6. False Lashes: Adds more volume and length to give extra drama.
7. Highlighter: Enlightens the corners and the brow bone to open up and enhance your eyes.

How to Make Your Eyes Look Bigger:11 Simple Steps

 1. Prep Your Eyes with Clean Base:

To make your eyes look bigger, ensure your eye area is well-prepped. Begin with a hydrating eye cream to moisturize the entire eye area, focusing on the under eyes to reduce eyebags and dark circles. Follow up with a concealer that matches your skin tone to cover any dark circles and create a brighter, even base. Apply the concealer in an upside-down triangle under your eyes and blend it out with a brush or with your fingers. This preparation brightens the under-eye area and makes your eyes appear more awake and open, setting the base for flawless eye makeup.

2. Shape Your Eyebrows:
Your eyebrows frame your eyes. A good shape can make your eyes look large and open by lifting the eye area. Begin by brushing your brows upwards and outwards to shape them. Use an eyebrow pencil or powder to fill any sparse areas to create a natural arch. Enhance the effect by highlighting the brow bone with a light, shimmery shade to lift the eye area and make your eyes appear bigger and more defined.

3. Prime Your Lids:
Primer for the eyelids is important to give the effect of larger eyes and also to help the makeup last throughout the day. A thin layer of eyeshadow primer gives a smooth surface for application, allowing the eyeshadow to stick to it and avoiding any creasing which makes the eyes look small. This step not only enhances the vibrancy of the eyeshadow colors but also helps them stay and look fresh throughout the day.

4. Choose the Right Eyeshadow Shades:
When it comes to eye makeup, the shades you choose can have a significant impact on how big your eyes look which is why it's important to follow a guide for eyeshadow application as a beginner. First apply a light, neutral eyeshadow all over your lid, sweeping upwards to your brow bone—it helps brighten up the base and gives the effect of opening up your eyes.

Then, give some depth by applying a medium-toned shade to the crease of your eyelid. Move your brush back and forth in an arc-like path to blend out the shadow, avoiding harsh lines that make the eyes appear even smaller.

For added dimension, use a darker shade, like dark brown, on the outer corners of your eyes. Using your crease brush, apply the eyeshadow in a V shape, blending it into your crease and a little up onto your upper lash line. This technique lifts and elongates your eyes, making them appear larger and more defined.

5. Apply Eyeliner Strategically:
Eyeliner can transform your eye shape when applied strategically. Start by lining the upper lash line with a thin line to define your eyes. For round eyes, extend the liner just a bit at the outer corner to create a subtle wing that helps elongate the shape of the eye. If you have hooded eyes, a winged liner can make your eyes look more open by lifting them. The trick is to apply eyeliner in such a way that enhances your eye shape and creates a balance that makes your eyes more attractive.

6. Highlight the Inner Corners:
Right after lining your eyes with the eyeliner, take a small brush to apply highlighter, and use a light, shimmery shade like champagne or pearl to the inner corners of your eyes. This step lightens up the eye area making it more bright and mesmerizing. To further enhance the overall look, highlight your brow bone with a similar shimmery shade, which helps lift the brows and create an illusion that the eyes appear larger and more lively.

7. Define Your Lash Line:
For a more prominent look, apply a thin line of eyeliner close to the upper lash line. Avoid thick lines, as they can make your eyes appear smaller. Instead, focus on creating a thin line that gradually thickens towards the outer corner. Adding a subtle wing at the outer corner can further elongate your eyes and enhance their appearance. For the lower lash, use a soft pencil or eyeshadow in taupe or soft brown instead of black. Smudge the liner slightly for a softer, natural look, avoiding heavy lines that can close off your eyes.

8. Brighten the Waterline:
Using nude eyeliner on your lower waterline can make your eyes appear more open and awake. This makeup trick for small eyes makes the whites of your eyes look larger. If you want a more dramatic effect, you can use white eyeliner, but the nude is often more natural-looking.

9. Curl Your Lashes:
An eyelash curler is essential to lift your lashes away from your eyes, creating a more open and defined appearance. Place the curler at the bottom of your lashes, squeeze gently, and hold for a few seconds. Then, move the curler to the middle of your lashes and do the same. This gives a natural-looking curl that enhances the overall appearance of the eyes.

10. Apply Mascara:
Mascara is a must-have for making your eyes look bigger. Use a volumizing formula on the upper lashes, wiggling the brush at the base to get volume and lift. Push it into the outer corners to make your eyes as elongated as possible. Then coat your lower lashes with a thin layer, using a light hand—too much and you risk clumping, which will make your eyes look smaller. A well-defined lower lash line adds volume but creates the effect of bigger eyes.

11. Use False Lashes (Optional):
To elevate your eye makeup, consider adding false lashes. Select a style that works with your eye shape, giving you volume without overpowering your look. Apply them along your natural lash line, focusing on the outer corners to get that doe-eyed look. The false lashes add a significant impact, especially for special occasions where you want that extra pop in the eyes area.

Additional Tips for Making Your Eyes Look Bigger:

Apart from these basic techniques to make your eyes appear large, here are some extra tips that help to enhance the effect and make your eyes all the more captivating. Here's how you can further elevate your eye makeup routine:

  • Try a Lash Growth Serum: Longer lashes can make your eyes instantly appear larger. Check out using a lash growth serum to increase your natural lashes over time.
  • Eye Massage: Use your ring fingers to gently massage the area around your eyes in a circular motion. This can help with relaxation and improve the overall appearance of the eye area.
  • Keep Your Eyelids Light: The darker the shade on the lids, the smaller your eyes seem. Try to work with lighter, more neutral shades on the lid to help keep your eyes looking bright and large in general.
  • Avoid Heavy Makeup on Lower Lashes: Too much makeup on the lower lashes can drag your eyes down. Keep it light to maintain a lifted appearance.

Final Thoughts on Makeup to Make Eyes Look Bigger

Eye makeup is an art form that improves with practice, so refine your application technique over time. Experiment with different methods to find what best enhances your look, but stay true to your style for confidence and comfort. To make your eyes look bigger it involves a blend of technique and creativity. From prepping your eyes with a clean base to experimenting with eyeshadow shades and strategic eyeliner, each step is essential. Remember to highlight your inner corners and brows, use the right tools, and keep practicing. With these tips, you can achieve larger, more captivating eyes that mesmerize with every glance.

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FAQs

How can I make my eyes bigger naturally?

You can make your eyes bigger naturally by considering some eye exercises, like eye-rolling and blinking, to help strengthen those muscles. Make sure you get plenty of sleep to reduce eye puffiness, drink a lot of water daily, and have a high vitamin A, C, and E diet. Also consider a cold compress to help reduce swelling, and well-groomed eyebrows make a beautiful accent to your eyes.

How to make hooded eyes look bigger?

To make your hooded eyes look bigger define the crease with medium tones and color the eyelid with lighter hues. Later, focus on the brow bone with highlighted tones. Curl your lashes, and apply a volumizing mascara to open them up.

Do eye exercises really work?

These eye exercises no doubt improve muscle tone and lessen the straining of your eyes with eye exercises from rolling to fast blinking, but this really won't increase eye size dramatically. They can help in lessening puffiness and fatigue in the eyes, so you look refreshed.

How to get attractive eyes?

Use makeup to define your eyes with eyeshadow, eyeliner, and mascara. Let your skin appear good and healthy around the eyes by keeping it well-moisturized and getting adequate sleep. Ensure neatly trimmed eyebrows to make your eyes attractive.

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