16 Tricks That Make Your Eyes Look Amazing
They're so easy, you can do them with your … well, you get it.
There a multitudes of ways to define your eyes using makeup, but all that mascara, liner, shadow, contour, and highlight can get incredibly confusing. Here's how to make your eyes stand out, one trick at a time.
Know where each type of eye makeup goes.
Navigating all that eye makeup can be tough for some people, but this handy chart decodes where everything goes — right down to the tear duct.
Curl your eyelashes to make your eyes look bigger.
Applying mascara is an easy way to define your eyes, but using a lash curler truly opens them up. Just make sure you're using the curler before applying mascara, or you could wind up pulling out your lashes.
Use two mascaras instead of just one for beautifully enhanced lashes.
If you really want to make your lashes stand out, use two formulas: one for thickening and one for lengthening. Jiggle the brush of the thickening formula at the base of your lashes to build fullness and fully cover the root, then apply the lengthening mascara from the middle to the tips, adding a little extra to the outer lashes for extra flair.
Open your eyes up by disconnecting your top and bottom liner.
If you want to make your eyes look wider and more awake, don't connect your top and bottom eyeliner. Leaving a gap creates the illusion that they're bigger. Add nude eyeliner as per tip #5 for maximum brightening effect.
Find the perfect eyeliner shade for your eye color.
Black eyeliner is classic, but if you really want to make your eyes pop, use a color that really complements your eyes. Feeling extra adventurous? Opt for a colorful mascara too.
Make your eyes look more awake with nude liner.
If you had a late night or simply want to make your eyes look larger, apply a nude shade of eyeliner along your bottom waterline. Instant brightness!
Define your brows like a pro.
Filling in your eyebrows is a truly tricky task. The last thing you want is Eddie Munster brows. Instead, follow our simple tutorial — it's perfect for any beginner and straight from the mouth of a pro makeup artist!
Even out your eyelids with concealer.
If your lids tend to look a little reddish or veiny, add a quick application of concealer to even out your complexion and prep for eyeshadow.
Give your brows an instant lift with a white pencil.
If you want your eyes to look more awake and your brows to look more defined, apply a white eyeliner underneath your brows along your brow bone, then blend.
Apply a layer of powder between mascara coats.
After you apply your first coat of mascara, dust a little translucent powder over your lashes, then apply a second coat. The powder adds extra length and volume to your eyelashes without getting clumpy.
Use tape to prevent eyeshadow fallout.
When applying eyeshadow, you often wind up with it on more than just your lids — which can make a total mess under your eyes To stop this from happening, place a small piece of tape under your eyes, then peel it off after you're done with your eye makeup. Voila! Zero fallout.
Get rid of any smudges using a liner brush and micellar water.
We've all been there: You've just finished doing your eye makeup, it looks perfect, and then you sneeze. And there it is — the dreaded smudge. Nobody likes to wash off their makeup and start over, so simply remove the smudge by dipping a small eyeliner brush in micellar water and carefully wipe it away.
Get Marilyn Monroe's sultry gaze.
Define your eyes like the original glam girl by following along with this surprisingly easy tutorial utilizing the techniques her makeup artist actually used on Ms. Monroe.
Hold your brush vertically to add extra length.
Want your eyes to look really defined? Hold your brush vertically to get each of those teensy tiny lashes along your bottom lash line, as well as the inner corners and the outer top lashes.
Use a spoon to avoid getting mascara on your lid.
If you have a tough time getting your mascara exclusively on your lashes, hold a spoon — which acts like a shield — above your eye and apply your mascara. Easy breezy!
Switch things up with a reverse smokey eye.
Typical smokey eye makeup is always a good option for a night out, but if you want to add an extra dose of drama to your makeup, reverse the smokiness and put it along your bottom lash line instead of the top.
Sam's enthusiasm for makeup is only rivaled by their love of all things relating to cats. In their spare time, they enjoy watching scary movies, putting avocado on everything, and seeing how many shades of the rainbow they can dye their hair before 30.
Watch Next
Everything You Need to Know About Makeup for Men
The Best Airbrush Makeup Products
How to Nail the Purple Blush Trend
Eyeshadow Palettes That Won't Let You Down
