Beauty Doc

Eye makeup help for small eyes

Beauty Doc Tip: Eyeliner application to make eyes look bigger: - using a freshly sharpened eyeliner pencil, trace the contour of your eye, starting above your iris, extending your liner just beyond the end of your eye, blend upwards and outward, keeping your line as close to lashes as possible; smudge to soften line.

Hi Bella
My eyes are small and deep set. Is there is a certain way to use eyeshadow to make them stand out more by making them bigger or something? What is the best way to wear my eye makeup?
Thank you.

Hi!
Your makeup goal is to make your eyes look more open, and seem less recessed: Deep-Set Eyes are often deeply recessed in the crease, and may also be over-shadowed by a prominent brow bone. Lids may be hidden if the crease is very deep, especially if your eyebrows are close to the eyes. Small eyes come in all shapes, and tend to be smaller in width or length than average eyes, or in comparison to the rest of your features. Be aware that eyeliner can be friend or foe - avoid "closing" in the eye and making it look even smaller, by only applying a fine line when outlining the entire eye, and assist this by using a light to medium shade of eyeliner - very dark, heavy liner will make your eyes look smaller.

First, lets look at ways to bring out your deep-set eyes.

Eye shadow: Apply a light eyeshadow color over your entire lid, starting at your lashes, and blending up to your brow. To accent, you can add a slightly darker shade just above your crease. For maximum definition, or a more dramatic look, brush a deeper shadow just ABOVE your eye's natural crease - not in the crease. To do this apply the shadow when your eyes are open, looking straight ahead, that way you won't apply the shadow in your natural contour (which you lose when you open your eye). Blend softly along the edges to soften the line, and this works to visually bring your lid 'forward'.

Eyeliner: application of liner needs to be as close to your lashes as possible, so start with a sharp pencil! Use a very fine line when using eyeliner (liquid or pencil), especially with your small eyes, and keep the liner even on both top and bottom. Smudge to soften and avoid a harsh line. As you want to make your eyes look bigger, start your eyeliner above your iris and extend just past the outer corner of your eye, making sure the line is straight across or slightly upward - blend upward and outward.

Brows & Lashes: Raise the line of your brow subtly by brushing the brow color along the top edge of brows. If your brows are pale your brow bone may look more prominent, and this tends to make deep set eyes look even more recessed (be aware of making your brows too dark), apply a brow color that is a shade or two darker than your natural brow colour. Finish with generous coats of mascara top and bottom - focus mascara from above your iris to the outer corner of your lashes (this is for your small eyes more than the deep set - if your eyes were not small you could apply mascara on all your lashes), comb thru to remove any clumps.

For more tips on small eyes, check out "Makeup tips for small uneven eyes" at MaQ's

Once you know how to enhance your deep set eyes, you can then use a few extra makeup tricks to help your small eyes look bigger!

After applying the lighter shadow all over your lid, really add oomph by using a shimmery pale eye shadow in the very centre of the lid, right above your iris. To shape and define your eye, take the darker shade of your contour colour (mentioned above) on the very outer edge of your lid.

For more dramatic eyes, you can sweep a thin line of a shimmery light eye shadow just above eyeliner, and this works as a real eye opener. Line under your eye along the outer third, and extend this line to blend and join with your contour colour.

Sweep mascara on top lashes only (especially for day or more natural makeup looks), with a few strokes extra on your upper and lower outer lashes for added impact. Your eyes will appear larger when brows are thinner, but be careful not to take them too thin if your brow bone is prominent - just a good tidy and trim, and brush them into shape. Always curl your lashes to open eyes up.

For more makeup tips specifically for "Small eyes" check out MaQ making small eyes look bigger and Faceart "Eye makeup techniques" offers more makeup tips + tricks.

Bella *}{*
Let your natural beauty shine!

For more makeup information and inspiration checkout:
FACEART: www.faceart.com >>> the makeup webzine.
MaQ: www.maq.com >>> frequently asked Makeup Answers + Questions