Show of hands: who’s tired of piling on tons of eye makeup, never to get the results you want?
Getting the look of larger eyes is harder than most think. But one thing is for sure — you don’t need to pack on heavy eyeshadow. Extra eyeshadow (and tons of makeup in general) can actually make you look older. “Making your lashes the main attraction of your makeup look will make your eyes bigger without needing to use liner or shadow,” says Avon celebrity makeup artist Kelsey Deenihan.
Here, Deenihan, celebrity makeup artist Patrick Ta (who has beautified the faces of Shay Mitchell and Adriana Lima) and Yuki Hayashi, another celebrity makeup artist known for making models on top runways all over the world look amazing, offer a few tricks of the trade for making eyes look bigger, bolder and sassier. Take a look.
[ Next: The Best Lip Plumpers for Fuller Lips — Without Injections ]
How to Make Your Eyes Look Bigger With Makeup
-
Create a Great Base
Always start by giving your eyes a boost of hydration as this will help prime your makeup and provide a fresh-eyed effect. "One of my favorite eye creams is Avon’s Anew Clinical Eye Lift Pro Dual Eye System ($28)," says Deenihan. "The caffeine-infused cream brightens and the tightening gel provides a lifting effect, giving that full eight-hour sleep look."
-
Try White Eyeliner
"Applying a white or neutral liner to the waterline will instantly extend the appearance of the actual eye," says Deenihan.
Image: Imaxtree
-
The Shape Matters
The shape of your eyeshadow can also be used to make your eyes look bigger. "For a modern look, you should leave your brow bone empty or highlighted, also don't go too close to your eyebrows when you blend your eyeshadow," says Hayashi. And remember to always check in the mirror if the eyeshadow is blended according to your eye shape.
Image: Imaxtree
-
Use Eyelash Curlers
Eyelashes can create shadows and make your eyes look smaller than they actually are. "Using an eyelash curler can definitely help to make your eyes appear bigger," says Hayashi. "Curl your lashes from the root and apply mascara (also from the root of the lashes) to open up your eye." We love Tweezerman's Curl Authority Series ($18) that feature a 38-degree angle curler for almond shape eyes and 60-degree angle for round eyes.
-
Add Drama With False Eyelashes
It doesn't matter if you're into a natural look or full-on boudoir, false lashes instantly make your eyes pop. "False lashes always open up your eyes," says Ta.
Image: Imaxtree
-
Go Brighter
Ditch the dark shades and play with colored liners and shadows. "[Colored eyeshadows] widen the appearance of the eye area and create a fun, bold look," says Deenihan. "Blacks and dark browns make the eyes appear smaller and boxed in, so have fun and experiment with brighter shades." For monochromatic colors, try Urban Decay's Backtalk Palette ($46).
Image: Imaxtree
-
Highlight the Inner Corners
Ta and Deenihan agree that highlighting the inner corners of your eyes is a surefire way to make your eyes appear larger. "Use a lighter shade eyeshadow to dab the inner corners of your eyes," says Deenihan. "By brightening this area, which is prone to dark circles and shadows, it will enhance the appearance of the overall eye making you look more awake."
Image: Imaxtree
