Makeup for small eyes: how to make them look bigger

If your eyes seem to "disappear" in photos, you don't need more makeup — just place it differently. The rule is simple: light enlarges and brings forward; dark shrinks and recedes.

Step by step

1. Light base over the whole lid. A light satin shade close to your skin evens things out and opens the eye.

2. Depth only on the outer corner. A mid-tone on the outer third, blended up and out, elongates the eye.
3. Light in the inner corner. A dot of shimmer in the inner corner opens your eyes instantly.

4. Liner only on the outer half. Lining the whole eye "closes" it. Better a thin line from the middle outwards, in brown or taupe.

5. Nude pencil on the waterline. White looks too artificial; nude enlarges without showing.
6. Lashes, lashes, lashes. Curl and apply mascara, focusing on the outer lashes.

What to avoid

• Black on the waterline: it shrinks the eye.
• Very dark shadow over the whole lid.
• Brows that are too thick and low, weighing down your eyes.

In the try-on, pick the "Soft wash" eyeshadow style in a light shade and compare it with "Smoky": you'll see how the apparent size of your eyes changes.

Frequently asked questions

Can I do a smoky eye with small eyes?

Yes, in mid-tones like brown or taupe, keeping the inner corner and centre of the lid lighter.

Does a winged liner make small eyes look bigger?

A short, thin wing that follows the lash line elongates them. A very thick one makes them look smaller.