Which Of The 6 Eye Shapes Do You Have? Makeup Tips For Each Gorgeous Shape

Eye makeup is among the most finicky products nestled in your cosmetic bag. Not only does it take shear precision (liquid eyeliner: Say no more), but it also requires targeted technique—depending on your lid and bone structure, you may have to wield your mascara wand at a slightly different angle or streamline your shadow. In other words, getting to know your eye shape can be key. 

Ask any makeup artist: In addition to knowing your undertones, understanding your own eye shape can really help you achieve your end goal, whatever it is.

Of course, makeup won't transform the outline of your eyes (nor should it!), but you can use shadows, liners, and the like to accentuate the eye shape you have. Not to mention, different eye shapes require different moves to achieve various looks.

With that, let's get into the makeup tips. Again, these are by no means hard-and-fast guidelines (makeup has no rules, so don't be afraid to turn some heads), but the experts do have their fair share of tricks to enhance the eyes.

Crimson says you can create a sultry smoky eye: "Go above the crease and just create your own backdrop with that." In other words, when you tap on shadow, create your own crease by sweeping on a darker, matte pigment. Or, you can always extend your shadow all the way up to the brow (makeup has no rules, remember?). "You can do anything you want, and it'll always look great," Crimson adds. 

"The perfect eye shape for a fierce cat eye," Compton notes, as it will allow for some lift. Softly draw along the upper lash line until you reach the outer corner, then line up and out to create a cat-eye shape. If liner's not your jam, though, you can create the same, subtler effect with shadow: Crimson suggests taking your eyeshadow, expanding it past the outer corner, and sharpening the angle with a cotton swab or beauty sponge. "That will bring more of that lift and shape into the eye," he says. 

This eye shape has a natural "winged" look at the corners, so following the natural lash line can help enhance it. Compton also loves a soft, smoky eye on upturned eyes: "Apply a light matte shade from the inner corner and stop above the pupil of your eye," she says. "Use a medium-matte shade on the remaining half of the eyelid and blend for a soft, smoky effect." 

If you constantly find your liner and mascara transferred onto your brow bone toward the end of the day, smudge-proof makeup is your best friend, here. Crimson also suggests embracing the natural smokiness: "Line inside the rim, and let it smudge and make its way out," he says.

Compton also suggests carving your own crease: After applying a light matte or shimmer shade across the entire lid, "contour with a medium-matte shade in the crease, and blend up toward the brow bone."

To make them pop, Compton suggests tightlining the upper lash line with shadow or liner. "This will open up your eyes and make them appear larger and brighter," she says. "[Then] add a pop of shimmer to the center of the lid." 

Let's be clear: You can play around with eye makeup as you please (and create a stunning beat, no matter your eye shape). However, makeup artists have amassed some tricks over the years to make anyone look their best and brightest.