Where to Put Eye Makeup, Depending on Your Eye Shape

There’s nothing quite like a statement eye to really tie a makeup look together. But if it’s done incorrectly, it can throw everything off. The trick to applying your eye makeup the right way is to tailor it to your eye shape. Since determining your eye shape can be a bit tricky if you’re not a beauty aficionado, we’re breaking it down for you ahead. We’re also offering tips on applying eye makeup based on your eye shape.

How to Apply Eye Makeup to Round Eyes

Round eyes look best when the lash line is a bit elongated to help balance out the circular shape.

Get the look by following these simple steps:

Step 1: Start with primer. The first step to any well-done eye should be primer. A primer can help you create a smooth base so that your eye makeup doesn’t crease.

Step 2: Apply a neutral-colored base. Before creating any definition, use a fluffy eye shadow brush to add a medium neutral shade to your lid. Pick a hue from the L’Oréal Paris Colour Riche La Palette Nude.

Step 3: Add depth to your crease. With that same palette, use a darker neutral to shade your crease from the outside in. Blend in small, circular motions to help avoid any muddying.

Step 4: Highlight your brow bone. To add extra oomph to your look, highlight your brow bone just under the tail to create a lifting effect.

Step 5: Finish with liner and mascara. Next, use a liquid liner, like the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Pains Eyeliner in Black Party, along your top lash line and extend it slightly outside of the outer corner of your eye to help balance out your rounded shape. Top it off with a coat of the L’Oréal Paris Voluminous Original Mascara.

How to Apply Eye Makeup to Almond-Shaped Eyes

This balanced eye shape looks especially gorgeous with a dimensional eye look that’s all about a noticeable crease. Simply follow the same technique we shared for round eyes—except when it comes to eyeliner, keep it contained to your lid and don’t extend it out. Your eyes are already perfectly balanced!

How to Apply Makeup to Hooded Eyes

Your crease is hidden, making your lid seem smaller. You can create the illusion of a wide-eyed look by highlighting and contouring.

Get the look by following these simple steps:

Step 1: Start with primer. You know the drill! Use an eye makeup primer to help create a smooth base.

Step 2: Apply a medium base. As with most eye looks, the first shadow you apply should be around your skin tone, if not one shade darker, to help create an even base for other colors to blend nicely with. For a glimmering plum statement eye, try using the L’Oréal Paris Colour Riche Quads in Perfume ID. For this step, use the top champagne color.

Step 3: Contour your crease to create the illusion of rounder-looking eyes. Then, use the third shade down to blend your crease from the outer corner three-quarters of the way in towards your inner eye. Next, use the bottom, darkest shade to blend right at the outer corner for added depth and dimension to create more of a crease.

Step 4: Highlight your brow bone and inner corners. The last eye shadow you need is a super-light hue—the second from the top in the quad. This can help accentuate your brow bones create an eye-opening effect at the inner corners of your eyes.

Step 5: Finish with liner and mascara. If you choose to do a wing tip with hooded eyes, just be sure to look straight forward when doing so, otherwise your wing will disappear into your folded crease. Don’t be alarmed if your wing ends up looking like a lightning bolt when you close your eyes—that’s customary for this eye shape.

How to Apply Eye Makeup to Monolid Eyes

Just like with hooded eyes, when you have monolid eyes, you may want to create the illusion of rounder peepers for a brighter appeal. Simply follow the same tutorial—but when it comes to eyeliner, opt for a super-thin line at the inner corner of your eye that gets thicker as it moves just beyond your outer edge.