Eyeliner is a makeup staple that has the power to enhance and define your eyes, creating dramatic or subtle effects depending on how it’s applied. However, the way eyeliner works for your eyes depends heavily on your eye shape. Mastering the technique that best complements your eye shape will ensure your eyeliner looks flawless and flattering.

In this article, we will cover essential eyeliner tips for different eye shapes, including hooded, almond, round, monolid, upturned, downturned, and close-set eyes. Whether you prefer a classic cat eye, a smudged liner, or a sleek wing, these tips will help you tailor your eyeliner application perfectly.

1. Identifying Your Eye Shape

Before diving into the eyeliner tips, it’s crucial to identify your eye shape. Here’s a quick guide:

• Almond Eyes: The eyes resemble the shape of an almond, with a slight upward lift at the outer corners.
• Round Eyes: The eyes appear large and more circular, with a visible white space around the iris.
• Hooded Eyes: The eyelid crease is not prominently visible due to excess skin folding over it.
• Monolid Eyes: There’s no visible crease, and the eyelid appears flat.
• Upturned Eyes: The outer corners of the eyes lift upward.
• Downturned Eyes: The outer corners of the eyes slope downward.
• Close-Set Eyes: The eyes are closer together, with less space between them.
• Wide-Set Eyes: The space between the eyes is slightly wider than average.

Once you identify your eye shape, you can move on to the techniques tailored specifically for it.

2. Eyeliner Tips for Almond Eyes

Almond eyes are often considered the most versatile because of their balanced shape. They can pull off almost any eyeliner style effortlessly.

Tips to Apply Eyeliner for Almond Eyes

1. Classic Winged Eyeliner
   • Start from the inner corner of the eye and draw a thin line along the lash line.
   • As you reach the outer corner, gradually thicken the line and extend it upward to create a subtle wing.
   • This shape accentuates the natural lift of almond eyes.
2. Tightlining
   • For a natural look, tightline your upper waterline with a black or dark brown eyeliner.
   • This enhances the lash line, making your lashes look fuller without over-defining your eyes.
3. Smudged Liner
   • Use a pencil liner to create a soft line along your upper and lower lash lines.
   • Smudge it slightly using a smudging brush for a smoky effect.
4. Double Winged Liner
   • Create a classic wing on your upper lash line and add a small wing along your lower lash line.
   • This adds drama without overwhelming the natural shape.

Pro Tip: Almond eyes can handle both thick and thin eyeliner looks. Experiment with liquid, gel, or pencil liners for versatile finishes.

3. Eyeliner Tips for Round Eyes

Round eyes appear bright and open, making them ideal for dramatic eyeliner styles. The goal with round eyes is often to elongate them to achieve a slightly almond-like effect.

Tips to Apply Eyeliner for Round Eyes

1. Winged Eyeliner
   • Start with a thin line at the inner corner and thicken the line as you move outward.
   • Extend the wing horizontally rather than upward to give the illusion of length.
2. Avoid Lining the Entire Lower Lash Line
   • Lining the lower lash line completely can exaggerate the roundness of the eyes.
   • Instead, apply liner to the outer two-thirds of the lower lash line for balance.
3. Smoky Eyeliner
   • Blend a pencil liner or eyeshadow along the upper lash line and outer corner.
   • Smudge the liner to soften the edges, creating a diffused, elongated look.
4. Tightline the Upper Waterline
   • This technique defines the eyes without adding extra roundness, making them appear naturally larger.
5. Focus on the Outer Corners
   • Use a dark eyeliner only on the outer corner of the eyes to elongate their shape. Avoid applying liner too close to the tear duct.

Pro Tip: Use a neutral or white eyeliner on the lower waterline to make your eyes appear even bigger and brighter.

4. Eyeliner Tips for Hooded Eyes

Hooded eyes often have a less visible eyelid space, and the eyeliner can disappear under the fold of the skin. The key to mastering eyeliner for hooded eyes is strategic placement and avoiding thick lines.

Tips to Apply Eyeliner for Hooded Eyes

1. Thin, Precise Lines
   • Keep your eyeliner line as thin as possible along the lash line to ensure visibility when your eyes are open.
2. Winged Liner for Hooded Eyes
   • Start the wing just above where the fold of the skin begins to prevent the eyeliner from disappearing.
   • Extend the wing outward and slightly upward to lift the eyes.
3. Avoid Heavy Lower Liner
   • Keep the focus on the upper lash line to prevent the eyes from appearing smaller or more closed.
4. Tightlining
   • Tightline the upper waterline to add definition without taking up eyelid space.
5. Smudge for a Softer Look
   • Use a pencil liner and smudge it gently to create a soft, smoky effect that works well with hooded eyes.

Pro Tip: Opt for waterproof eyeliners to avoid smudging caused by the skin fold touching the liner.

5. Eyeliner Tips for Monolid Eyes

Monolid eyes do not have a visible crease, so eyeliner styles need to be bold and strategic to create dimension.

Tips to Apply Eyeliner for Monolid Eyes

1. Thick Eyeliner Styles
   • Draw a thicker line along the upper lash line to make the eyeliner more visible when the eyes are open.
2. Winged Liner
   • Create a dramatic wing that extends outward and slightly upward. This helps elongate and lift the eyes.
3. Graphic Eyeliner
   • Experiment with graphic eyeliner styles, like a floating crease liner, to add depth and creativity.
4. Use Dark Eyeliner Close to the Lashes
   • Applying dark eyeliner close to the lash line creates the appearance of fuller lashes and enhances definition.
5. Smoky Effect
   • Blend a dark eyeshadow or liner along the lash line and extend it slightly upward for a sultry look.

Pro Tip: Monolid eyes are perfect for bold, colorful eyeliner looks. Try shades like blue, green, or metallics to make a statement.

6. Eyeliner Tips for Upturned Eyes

Upturned eyes have a natural lift at the outer corners, making them ideal for both classic and dramatic eyeliner styles. The goal is to enhance their natural shape.

Tips to Apply Eyeliner for Upturned Eyes

1. Classic Cat Eye
   • Follow the natural upward slant of the outer corners to create a flattering wing.
2. Balance with Lower Liner
   • Line the outer two-thirds of the lower lash line to balance the natural upward tilt.
3. Focus on the Upper Lash Line
   • Keep the upper lash line defined with a thin to medium liner for a polished look.
4. Double-Winged Eyeliner
   • Add a small wing to both the upper and lower lash lines for added drama.
5. Smudged Liner
   • Apply and smudge pencil liner along the lash line to soften the look and add depth.

Pro Tip: Upturned eyes naturally suit winged eyeliner. Emphasize this lift without overextending the wing.

7. Eyeliner Tips for Downturned Eyes

Downturned eyes have a slight droop at the outer corners. The aim with eyeliner is to lift the eyes visually.

Tips to Apply Eyeliner for Downturned Eyes

1. Upward Wing
   • Draw a thin line along the lash line and create a small wing that points upward. Avoid extending the wing downward.
2. Avoid Lining the Lower Lash Line Heavily
   • Lining the lower lash line too dark can emphasize the downward tilt. Focus on the upper lash line instead.
3. Open the Inner Corners
   • Apply a lighter or white eyeliner on the inner corners to brighten and lift the eyes.
4. Lifted Flick
   • Draw the eyeliner slightly above the natural lash line as you reach the outer corner, creating a lifted effect.
5. Tightline
   • Define the upper waterline to add intensity without overwhelming the eye shape.

Pro Tip: Use a subtle shimmer eyeshadow along the brow bone to further lift the eyes.

8. Eyeliner Tips for Close-Set Eyes

Close-set eyes have less space between them. The goal of eyeliner application is to draw attention outward and create the illusion of more space.

Tips to Apply Eyeliner for Close-Set Eyes

1. Focus on the Outer Corners
   • Apply eyeliner starting from the middle of the upper lash line and extend it outward.
2. Avoid Lining the Inner Corners
   • Skip lining the inner third of the lash line to keep the eyes looking more spaced apart.
3. Add a Wing
   • Create a winged liner that draws the focus outward, elongating the eye shape.
4. Highlight the Inner Corners
   • Use a light or shimmery eyeliner on the inner corners to create the illusion of more space.
5. Lower Lash Line
   • Apply a subtle liner only on the outer half of the lower lash line for balance.

Pro Tip: Use light eyeshadow shades near the inner corners and darker shades outward to enhance spacing.