If you’ve got small or hooded eyes then makeup can be tricky. A sultry smoky shadow that looks amazing on almond-shaped eyes can make narrow eyes appear even smaller, and black eyeliner is very difficult to get right.

But that doesn’t mean you have to give up on bold eye make-up entirely. Just ask Jennifer Lawrence who has hooded eyelids but doesn’t shy away from a smoky eye.

ADVERTISEMENT
makeup for small eyes
(Thinkstock/PA)

7 makeup tips to make small eyes look bigger

By following a few do’s and don’ts you can optimise your eye shape. Here, celebrity make-up artist and Collection ambassador Francesca Neill talks us through her seven top tips for faking big eyes…

1. Do use concealer on your lids

“Dark circles can really make your eyes appear smaller and draw the face down. Apply a colour-correcting concealer, such as Collection Lasting Perfection Colour Correcting Concealer in Lemon.

“Use both underneath and around your eyes to brighten the eye area and balance out dark purple tones.”

Collection Lasting Perfection Colour Correction Concealer, Green
  • collection lasting perfection colour correction concealer, green.
  • collection's lasting perfection colour correction concealer's are here to help!
  • available in three shades, lemon, green and lilac, this colour correcting trio will target your skincare woes.

Last update on 2024-04-17 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Last update on 2024-04-16 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

2. Do line your waterline in white

“Create the illusion of bigger eyes by gently running a nude or white eye pencil against your waterline. This extends the whites in your eyes making them look bolder and brighter.”

Lord & Berry SILK KAJAL Kohl Eyeliner Pencil, Long Lasting Soft Gel based Eye Liner for Women With...
  • Define Your Look - Make a bold statement like a peacock with your eyes using this SMUDGEABLE, SEMI-MATTE finish eyeliner pencils that are WATER-RESISTANT, last long and will not fade. It feels &...
  • Traditional All Natural Kohl - These natural kohl pencils are easy to use, requires no special skills to make your eyes pop. These eyeliners are modern and convenient to use. Sharpen them and get...
  • Gentle & Safe - Lord & Berry eye liners are made from all natural ingredients and is ophthalmologically TESTED and PROVEN SAFE to be used on the most sensitive regions of the inner eye.

Last update on 2024-04-16 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

3. Do highlight the inner corner

“Once you’ve applied your eyeliner, work a shimmery shadow into the inner corner. By highlighting the inner corner, eyes will instantly appear wider and brighter.”

Mysense Single Shimmer Eyeshadow,Loose Fine Powder Eyeshadow,High Pigment Longwear Single Silver Eye...
  • Single Shimmer Eyeshadow:Loose Fine powder eyeshadow,with a shimmer silver color
  • Smooth and Vibrant:Very smooth and easy to blend,fits for all kinds of skins.Safe for sensitive eyes.Non-toxic.
  • Longlasting Wear and Waterproof:Lasts up for 16 hours,from morning to night.High Pigmented,waterproof

Last update on 2024-04-16 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

4. Do give your brows an arch

“Eyebrows frame the face and draw attention to your eyes so it’s important to complement them with flattering brows.

“Tweeze away any stray hairs, lightly fill any gaps with a brow pencil that matches your natural hair colour and use a clear brow gel to brush your brows and set them neatly into place.”

Sale
Anastasia Beverly Hills - Perfect Brow Pencil - Auburn
4,168 Reviews
Anastasia Beverly Hills - Perfect Brow Pencil - Auburn
  • A long-wearing eyebrow pencil that fills in and defines brows.
  • Smooth wax formula
  • Soft, durable spoolie for blending

Last update on 2024-04-16 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

5. Don’t line the lower waterline with black

“Dark colours will shade in the eye area, making the width and height of your eye appear much smaller.

As above, you should “Opt for a nude or white liner to make the eyes open up.”

Brighten & Define Kohl Eyeliner Pencil Duo from Sculpted by Aimee - Travel-Friendly Vegan 2-in-1...
  • Sculpted by Aimee brings you the Brighten & Define Eyeliner Duo, a double-ended eyeliner pencil featuring two complementary shades to help you achieve a multitude of gorgeous looks - the ultimate...
  • Each kohl eyeliner pencil gives a silky, natural finish to the eyes. They’re made using good-for-you ingredients that effortlessly line and define, or you can blend them out with ease to help you...
  • Our multi-purpose Eyeliner Duo is available in 3 beautiful colour combinations that work from day to night - brown & nude, black & nude, and rust brown & nude

Last update on 2024-04-16 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

6. Don’t use too much dark eyeshadow

“Using a dark eyeshadow all over your lids can make the shape of your eyes less noticeable.

“If you’re going to use dark shadows then make sure to use concealer or a cotton bud to define your eye area.”

Sale
NYX Professional Makeup Ultimate Shadow Palette, 16 Vibrant True-To-Pan Eyeshadow Shades, Metallics,...
  • Ultimate Shadow Palette: Pick an eyeshadow palette for your every mood: from vibrant brights to vintage jean blues to electric tropics to fierce nudes, there's a shade for every look!
  • Results: Instantly go from day to play with a splash of vibrant, 1-swipe colour with true-to-pan payoff, Create stunning simple or multi-dimensional looks
  • Rock The Look: Blend - Contour upper lid with neutral matte, Highlight - Apply nude metallic shade to centre lid, Smoke - Blend deep matte shade to lower lash line

Last update on 2024-04-16 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

7. Don’t use the wrong mascara for your eye-shape

“Small eyes really benefit from a lengthening mascara which is made with fibres that extend the lashes and make the eyes pop.

“Those with bigger eyes should look for mascaras that add volume to their lashes such as Collection Volumising Mascara which is perfect for a full-lash look.”

Urban Decay Mascara Black Mascara for Volume and Length Perversion Mascara Intense Black 12ml
  • Lengthening and volumising mascara in a pitch-black shade, which also nourishes and protects your lashes with the help of marine collagen and honey extract.
  • Paraben-free formula that never gets brittle or clumpy, meaning you can apply coat after coat to build volume.
  • Apply a lash primer first for best results. Then hold the mascara brush horizontally and comb from root to tip, wiggling from side to side for a feathery finish. Use the brush tip to capture tiny...

Last update on 2024-04-16 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

 

You may be interested in…

This article may include affiliate links to products and services where we may receive a small fee to support the running of this site if you make a purchase or is a sponsored article from one of our select editorial partners providing valuable advice and information to our readers.

ADVERTISEMENT

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.