How to Apply Makeup to Small Eyes

Co-authored by Alicia D'Angelo and Amber Crain

Last Updated: February 16, 2022 References

Big, bright eyes look great on everyone. If your eyes are naturally on the smaller side, don’t worry! There are lots of makeup tricks you can use to create the illusion of larger eyes. Start with plucked brows and primed lids. From there, you can experiment with different techniques for applying eyeshadow, eyeliner and mascara to really open up your eyes and make them look much bigger.

Part 1

Part 1 of 4:

Priming the Area

1
Pluck and shape your eyebrows. Eyebrows help to define the shape of your eyes. Pluck your eyebrows to neaten them and, if you like, shape them by adding a gentle arch. Neat and well-shaped eyebrows open up the eye area, making them look larger.^{[1]
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- Pluck from below your eyebrows, not from above. This will help open your eyes up and make them appear larger.
2
Splash cold water on puffy eyes. Puffy eyes due to allergies, a fitful night of sleep or lack of sleep in general are very common. Unfortunately, puffy eyes make them look even smaller. Before you get started with makeup, splash your eye area gently with cold water, then pat dry. This can decrease puffiness.^{[2]
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- You can also create a cold compress by filling a zip-lock baggie with ice and wrapping it inside a wash cloth. Apply the compress to your eye area for 10-15 minutes.^{[3]
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3
Apply eye makeup primer. Primer helps your makeup last as long as possible by giving it something to stick to. Pat a thin layer of the primer onto your lids, working your way up to the eyebrow. If you plan to apply eyeshadow beneath your eyes (for instance, if you want to create a smoky eye look), apply primer there, as well.^{[4]
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- If you don’t have any primer, use a thin layer of concealer instead. Follow it up with a dusting of translucent powder. This is an effective primer.
4
Use concealer on dark circles under your eyes. Dark circles under the eyes can make them look smaller than they are. Select a concealer that’s one to two shades lighter than your skin tone. Apply it beneath your eyes in the shape of an upside down triangle. Use your fingers or a sponge to gently blend the concealer into your skin.^{[5]
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Part 2

Part 2 of 4:

Applying Eyeshadow

1
Apply a shimmery light-colored eyeshadow to the inner corners. Use an eyeshadow brush to lightly apply a small amount of light-colored shimmery (not glittery) eyeshadow to the inner corners of both eyes. Use a white, nude or silver shimmer shadow for this. It only takes a small amount, so use a light touch.
- By using a lighter shade on the inner half of your eyes, you'll make them look more open and farther apart, which can make them seem larger.^{[6]
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2
Apply the same shimmery shade to the outer corners and brow bone. Use an eyeshadow brush to apply the light shimmery shadow on the outer corner of each eyelid. Then apply some to the area directly beneath your eyebrows. This trick enhances the eye-opening effect.^{[7]
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3
Use a nude or beige eyeshadow on your lids. Lighter colors open up the eye area, whereas dark colors tend to make things recede and appear smaller. Brush on a nude or beige shadow with a bit of shimmer to it on both eyelids. You can also use the same color you used on the inner and outer corners, if you prefer.^{[8]
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4
Use multiple colors to create dimension. If you want to experiment with color and dimension, try using two colors that complement each other. For instance, you could apply a light-colored eyeshadow your lids, then line both eyes with an electric blue eyeliner. Together they make the eyes pop and create depth and dimension.^{[9]
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Part 3

Part 3 of 4:

Using Eyeliner

1
Apply nude or white eyeliner to the bottom waterline. It’s common to line the bottom waterline with a dark pencil, but this unfortunately makes the eyes look smaller. Instead, use a nude or pale eyeliner pencil on your bottom waterline. Apply it from the inner corner of your eye all the way to the outer corner.^{[10]
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- This will help make the whites of your eyes look like they're extended, giving you a doll-like appearance.^{[11]
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- To enhance this further, apply a small amount of the liner directly below your waterline and smudge it with your finger to blend it out.
2
Tightline your upper water line. Use your finger to pull your eyelid up so the water line under your eyelashes is exposed. Then, line the outer two-thirds of your water line with black eyeliner. This will make your lashes look fuller while also opening your eyes up.^{[12]
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3
Choose a shade that brings out the color of your eyes. Use a light-colored eyeliner. Dark eyeliners can make your eyes appear smaller. If you do use a dark eyeliner, only apply it to the outer third of your eye. Do some experimenting, but try using a light brown for blue eyes, light purple for green eyes, light blue for brown eyes, and light pinkish-purple shades for hazel eyes.^{[13]
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4
Line the outer third of your eyes only. Don’t line the entire lid, since this can make eyes look smaller. To open them up, line only the outer third of your eyes, and then blend the eyeliner. The starting place usually lines up directly above the pupil, but adjust for your needs (since eye shapes vary). Draw a soft line from there to the outer edge of the eye, then flick it out slightly at the end.^{[14]
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- Line the outer third of your bottom lid, as well. To make the look more subtle, blend the liner or with a clean brush, cotton swab, or your finger.^{[15]
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Part 4

Part 4 of 4:

Applying Mascara

1
Curl your lashes before applying mascara. Use an eyelash curler on each set of lashes, clamping down for about 10 seconds per eye. Now your lashes are lifted and more visible, which creates the illusion of larger eyes. Only curl the upper lashes, not the bottom lashes.^{[16]
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2
Apply two coats of mascara to the upper lashes. Situate the mascara wand at the base of your eyelashes, then wiggle it side to side as you move up along your lashes to the tips. Wait for the first coat to dry before adding the second coat in the exact same way. Always wait for the first coat to dry first to prevent clumpy looking lashes.^{[17]
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3
Apply one coat of mascara to the bottom lashes. When applying mascara to your bottom lashes, less is more! Turn the mascara wand to a vertical position and carefully run along your bottom lashes with it. A second coat is not recommended, because it will make clumps way more likely to happen.^{[18]
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4
Try false eyelashes. False lashes require extra effort to apply and some people are allergic to the glue, so proceed with caution. If you decide falsies are for you, they can really make your eyes pop! They frame the eyes and draw attention to their shape while also opening them up and making them look a lot larger.^{[19]
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Expert Q&A

Question

What makes blue eyes pop?

Laura Martin
Licensed Cosmetologist
Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist in Georgia. She has been a hair stylist since 2007 and a cosmetology teacher since 2013.

Laura Martin

Licensed Cosmetologist

Expert Answer

To make them pop, outline blue eyes with a warm brown or black liner and dust gold shadow across the lid.
Question

How can I get bigger eyes naturally?

Laura Martin
Licensed Cosmetologist
Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist in Georgia. She has been a hair stylist since 2007 and a cosmetology teacher since 2013.

Laura Martin

Licensed Cosmetologist

Expert Answer

You can't change the size of your eyes, but you can make them bigger by curling your lashes, keeping your brows tweezed, and wearing light-colored eyeshadow.
Question

What is it called when you have small eyes?

Laura Martin
Licensed Cosmetologist
Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist in Georgia. She has been a hair stylist since 2007 and a cosmetology teacher since 2013.

Laura Martin

Licensed Cosmetologist

Expert Answer

Small eyes are sometimes referred to as "beady" but there's no technical term unless the smallness is an abnormality caused by a birth defect. In that case, it's called microphthalmia.