5 Makeup Tricks to Make Your Eyes Look Bigger

Expert tips for a wide-awake look.

By Leah Melby ClintonPublished: Oct 6, 2016

Lip, Hairstyle, Eye, Skin, Chin, Shoulder, Eyebrow, Eyelash, Style, Fashion model,

Rodrigo Cid

There is some science to the appeal of Disney-princess size eyes: We associate them with youth since babies are born with a set that's close to how large they'll be in adulthood. Fair, but we typically find ourselves wishing for a wide-eyed look due to the way it instantly conveys a well-rested alertness. Babies are nice, but looking ready to conquer the world pre-coffee is everything.

If you're of the same mind, prepare to master makeup tricks you'll use forever. We asked celebrity makeup artist Michael Anthony for easy tips that can enhance whatever you're working with.

Pale Liner

<p>Anthony's first trick—lining the bottom lid with a white or beige pencil—is basically an optical illusion. "It neutralizes the color of the waterline, making it look like it's actually part of the eye." Skip the optic white pencil in favor of something with a hint of peach or cream—it'll look a touch more subtle. </p>

Anthony's first trick—lining the bottom lid with a white or beige pencil—is basically an optical illusion. "It neutralizes the color of the waterline, making it look like it's actually part of the eye." Skip the optic white pencil in favor of something with a hint of peach or cream—it'll look a touch more subtle.

Lower-Lid Mascara

<p>Make your mascara really pop by going over the undereye area with concealer first. The contrast of dark mascara to brightened skin will frame the entire eye, though product on the lower lash runs the risk of smudging. "Waterproof mascara is best for avoiding any makeup transferring onto your skin," Anthony explains. Keep the eye-brightening concealer in place by dusting a light layer of powder on top.</p>

Make your mascara really pop by going over the undereye area with concealer first. The contrast of dark mascara to brightened skin will frame the entire eye, though product on the lower lash runs the risk of smudging. "Waterproof mascara is best for avoiding any makeup transferring onto your skin," Anthony explains. Keep the eye-brightening concealer in place by dusting a light layer of powder on top.

White Shadow

<p></p><p>Adding a touch of light-reflecting silver or white eye shadow in the inner corner is an old brightening trick, but Anthony had a twist up his sleeve. To up the trick's eye-opening powers, go with two products rather than one. "I use a chubby pencil in a champagne color and set with a powdered highlighter or a shadow that has some shimmer."
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Adding a touch of light-reflecting silver or white eye shadow in the inner corner is an old brightening trick, but Anthony had a twist up his sleeve. To up the trick's eye-opening powers, go with two products rather than one. "I use a chubby pencil in a champagne color and set with a powdered highlighter or a shadow that has some shimmer."

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Mid-Eye Falsies

<p>False eye lashes for the upper fringe, sure, but below? "Putting lashes at the center of the eye gives a doe-eyed, innocent appearance," Anthony told us. Use individuals or cut a strip into a small, roughly quarter-inch section, and apply in the same manner you would on the upper lid. </p>

False eye lashes for the upper fringe, sure, but below? "Putting lashes at the center of the eye gives a doe-eyed, innocent appearance," Anthony told us. Use individuals or cut a strip into a small, roughly quarter-inch section, and apply in the same manner you would on the upper lid.

Double Liner

<p>Anthony saved his most complicated eye-opening trick for the end. Trickier to master, he promised us it's worth the work: "It reshapes your eye in a <em data-redactor-tag="em" data-verified="redactor">huge</em> way. You can extend or curve the lines for different effects. It's fun to experiment with different colored liners and how you layer them." To start, draw a classic cat-eye shape on the top lid with a dark color. Switch to a lighter shade and sketch a thin line under the lower lashes just at the end of the eye. </p><p><span class="redactor-invisible-space" data-verified="redactor" data-redactor-tag="span" data-redactor-class="redactor-invisible-space"></span></p>

Anthony saved his most complicated eye-opening trick for the end. Trickier to master, but he promised us it's worth the work: "It reshapes your eye in a huge way. You can extend or curve the lines for different effects. It's fun to experiment with different colored liners and how you layer them." To start, draw a classic cat-eye shape on the top lid with a dark color. Switch to a lighter shade and sketch a thin line under the lower lashes just at the end of the eye.