How to Get the Perfect Doe-Eyed Look

If you’ve ever wanted to make your eyes look bigger, you’ve in luck. As it turns out, doe eyes happen to be one of the latest makeup trends to take social media by storm. Think big, wide eyes with lots of lash drama. Sounds pretty, right? We also happen to know that this eye makeup craze works with any makeup look and for any occasion, day or night. Interested in giving it a try for yourself? Below, we’re sharing a step-by-step tutorial on how to get the perfect doe-eyed look.

STEP #1: DISGUISE YOUR UNDER-EYES

Think your under-eyes don’t have anything to do with your eye makeup? Think again! Under-eye bags and darkness certainly won’t complement the doe eyes you’re aiming for, which is why brightening things up down there is a must. To do so, apply a full coverage concealer, like the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Full Wear Concealer Waterproof, Full Coverage, in an upside-down triangle under each eye. Use a concealer that’s one to two shades lighter than your skin tone. Blend the liquid formula out using the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Blend Artist Foundation Blender. If you don’t feel more awake, you’ll certainly look it!

STEP #2: TAKE YOUR BROWS TO NEW HEIGHTS

Your eyebrows can also help create the illusion of wide, doe-like eyes. Use the L’Oréal Paris Unbelievabrow Longwear Waterproof Brow Gel to fill and shape your brows, creating a sharp arch that will help your eyes look more lively in the process. If you want, amplify your brow look by brushing your eyebrows upward with the included spoolie, which will, in turn, create wider-looking eyes.

STEP #3: PRIME YOUR EYES

Moving on, apply an eye primer all over your lids to prep for the rest of your eye makeup. This will create an even base and increase the life span of your makeup.

STEP #4: COLOR YOUR LIDS

When it comes to your all-over hue, it’s best to keep things light and neutral. Too dark of an eye shadow can actually work against you, causing your eyes to appear smaller. Sweep the L’Oréal Paris Infallible 24 HR Eye Shadow in Endless Pearl over your lids.

STEP #5: DEFINE YOUR CREASE

Not all of your eye shadow should be light. It’s all about creating shadows and highlights. Speaking of the former, apply the L’Oréal Paris Colour Riche Monos Eyeshadow in Matte It Up just above your crease to amp up the wide-eyed look.

STEP #6: HIGHLIGHT AWAY

To further your doe-eyed appearance, you’ll want to reach for a white eye shadow. This will serve as a highlight! Pop the L’Oréal Paris Colour Riche Monos Eyeshadow in Petite Perle onto your inner corner to instantly brighten your eyes. Apply the same shadow just below the arch of your eyebrows.

STEP #7: LINE YOUR EYES

Let’s talk eyeliner. For this look, there are a few tips and tricks to keep in mind. Line your upper lash line with the L’Oréal Paris Matte Signature Liquid Dip Eyeliner, Waterproof, starting the line a third of the way in and bringing the line past your outer corner to create a thin, sharp wing. To further the illusion of big eyes, line your waterline with the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Pro-Last Waterproof, Up to 24HR Pencil Eyeliner in Nude.

STEP #8: CURL YOUR LASHES

Use an eyelash curler to lift your lashes and create an instantly wide-eyed look. Not sure how to use one? Here’s a step-by-step guide on How to Use an Eyelash Curler.

Step #9: LAYER ON MASCARA

The star of this doe-eyed makeup look? Your mascara! More specifically, the L’Oréal Paris Bambi Eye Washable Mascara, Lasting Volume. With the wide-eyed brush, featuring short and long bristles to separate and coat every lash, this mascara delivers instant eye-opening results that curl and volumize your lashes. The velvety, washable formula glides on smoothly for a lifted, elongated fringe—without clumps. Comb the brush through your lashes, starting from the base and pulling up to the tips of your lashes. Build on additional layers until you achieve your desired lash look.

Next up: Now that you know how to make your eyes look bigger with a doe-eyed makeup look, perhaps you’d like to focus on emphasizing another facial feature. Here’s How to Make Your Lips Look Bigger.

7-Step Doe Eye Makeup Tutorial 

Doe eye makeup can transform the shape of your eyes with just a little bit of eyeliner and mascara. Check out our step-by-step tutorial to get the look.

1. Apply Foundation

Doe eye makeup gives a bright, youthful and refreshed look while siren eyes feel more glamorous, elevated and lifted. To match your bright-eyed gaze, we recommend a natural-looking foundation that can even out your complexion while looking like skin. Our pick is the L’Oréal Paris Age Perfect Makeup 4-in-1 Tinted Face Balm Foundation, which is infused with firming serum to even skin tone and smooth lines over time. 

2. Apply Bronzer All-Over the Lid

Using the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Up to 24H Fresh Wear Soft Matte Bronzer and a fluffy eyeshadow brush, lightly apply bronzer all-over your lid to create a neutral base and blur any veins or imperfections. Since doe eyes are centered around the illusion of bigger, brighter eyes, we’re forgoing any type of dark, smokey eyeshadow.

3. Line the Waterline With Light Colored Eyeliner

To fake the illusion of bigger eyes, apply light-colored eyeliner to the waterline to instantly make your eyes appear larger, brighter and more refreshed. Use the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Pro-Last Waterproof, Up to 24HR Pencil Eyeliner in Silver and define your waterline from corner to corner. A shade of white or nude eyeliner will also work.

4. Line the Upper Lash Line

The goal for the upper lash line is to create a thick line that can define your upper lashes you can even add a short, chunky wing at the outer corner. But, if you decide to do this, keep the wing short because anything longer than a quarter-inch is going to elongate your eye, which is a siren-eye look, not a doe eye. 

For the upper lash line we recommend the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Grip Precision Felt Waterproof Eyeliner in Black or Gray. The precise felt tip makes for easy shaping and mess-free application, plus, the smudge-proof formula lasts for up to 30 hours.

5. Conceal Your Under-eyes

Since this look requires applying mascara to the upper and lower lashes, we recommend concealing your under-eyes before applying mascara. Take the L’Oréal Paris True Match Eye Cream in a Concealer, 0.5% Hyaluronic Acid and use your ring finger to lightly dot some product onto the under-eyes, blending it in with a makeup sponge. 

Using a blush brush, take the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Up to 24H Fresh Wear Foundation in a Powder and lightly set your under-eye concealer. This powder foundation provides full-coverage with a lightweight finish so your under-eyes will look perfectly brightened and well-rested without appearing cakey.

6. Curl Your Lashes and Apply Mascara

As the final touch for your eye makeup look, curl your eyelashes and apply a generous coat of the L’Oréal Paris Voluminous Lash Paradise Waterproof Mascara to the upper and lower lashes. This fan-favorite mascara lengthens and adds volume to give your natural lashes an instant boost.

7. Finish with Rosy Blush and Glossy Lipstick

To complement your bright doe eyes, keep the rest of your makeup light and youthful. We recommend the L’Oréal Paris Age Perfect Makeup Radiant Satin Blush with Camellia Oil in Marigold to fake the illusion of plump, rosy cheeks and the L’Oréal Paris Glow Paradise Balm-in-Lipstick with Pomegranate Extract in Peach Charm for a your-lips-but-better look.

Next: The Best Black Eyeliners That Deserve a Permanent Spot in Your Makeup Bag

Written and photographed by: Reece Andavolgyi, Photo Design: Sarah Duvivier