How to Apply Makeup for Large Eyes

Enlarge and highlight for a flirty look.

Bigger might not always be better, but when it comes to beauty, big, pretty eyes are always in style. Even if your eyes are not naturally large, makeup gives you all the tools you need to create the illusion of bigger eyes. Whether you want a flirty, doe-eyed look or bold, glamorous eyes that are hard to ignore, the right makeup uses a play of light and shadow to enlarge and open up your eyes.

Things You'll Need

• Shimmery eye shadow
• Nude eye shadow
• Medium eye shadow
• Eye shadow brush
• White cream eye shadow
• Nude-colored eyeliner pencil
• Medium eyeliner
• Eyelash curler
• Mascara
• Eyebrow pencil

Instructions

1. Apply eye shadow. Use a light color with a little shimmer to open up your eyes. Try pale versions of silver, pink, beige, gold or cream. Blend the shadow over the whole eyelid, using a cotton swab, brush or your fingertip. To emphasize the eye more, apply the color more heavily directly over your iris, in the middle of the eyelid.

2. Emphasize your crease. By darkening the natural crease of your eye, right beneath your brow bone, your eyes look more prominent. Use a color several shades darker than your original coat and apply it in a crescent moon shape, using a small brush. Gently blend the darker eye shadow so that it looks subtle but still creates a shadow effect.

3. Line your upper eyelid. Use a medium color, such as brown or dark gray. The color should complement your eye shadow but still stand out. Pencil eyeliners create a softer look than liquid, preventing the heavy look that makes eyes seem smaller. Line both the upper and lower eyelids, staying close to the lash line. At the outer corner of the eye, draw a slightly thicker line -- at the inner corner, the line should be fine and thin.

4. Apply highlighting. Using a white or very pale eye shadow with a hint of shimmer, dab a small amount of the shadow on the inside corner of your eye, near the bridge of your nose and beneath the inner corner of your eyebrow.

5. Line your inner lower rim. Using a white eyeliner pencil, carefully line the inner rim of your lower eyelid. This extends the whites of your eyes and makes your eyes look bigger. Alternatively, use a nude-colored pencil.

6. Use mascara on the upper lashes. By applying mascara to the upper lashes alone, your eyes look more open. Sweep on a few coats of black mascara, for a dramatic effect, or brown mascara, for a more subtle appearance.

7. Groom your eyebrows. Well-groomed eyebrows showcase your eyes. Choose an eyebrow pencil that closely matches your natural hair color, following the natural curve of the brow to subtly define and contour.

Tips & Warnings

• Instead of a shimmery eye shadow, try a matte nude shade that matches your complexion.

• For highlighting, try a cream eye shadow instead of powder.

• Curling your lashes opens up your eyes even more. Before applying mascara, place the eyelash curler at the base of your upper lashes. Press down gently to avoid breakage. Release after three seconds. Repeat the same step in the middle of your lashes and at the very tips.

References

• Makeup Shop: Eyeliner Application Tips to Make Eyes Look Bigger
• The Gloss: How to Make Your Eyes Look Brighter & Wider
• Marie Claire: How To Make Eyes Look Larger

Resources

• Makeup Geek: How to Curl Your Lashes Like a Pro