Contouring doesn't just stop at your cheekbones. You can actually change the shape of your eye, depending on how you apply your eye shadow.
"When making eyes appear larger, it's all about placement," says makeup artist Sandy Linter. She uses the three lightest shades (yes, all three) from Lancôme Auda[city] in Paris Palette and sweeps them on to highlight her lid. Then, she uses the moderately deep shades from the palette and sweeps them onto her lid from the outer corner of her eye inward.
"To create a deeper crease, apply a light color shadow to the lid and a deeper color into the crease in order to pull the crease back and pull the lid forward," advises Kaye.
If you have close-set eyes, you want to focus on lengthening each eye. To do this, keep darker shadows confined to the outer perimeter (almost like a cat eye, Kaye explains), and use a light, shimmery color along the inner corner of your lid.
Roncal also says that a light, shimmery shadow applied to your lid will make your eyes pop, as it will reflect the light.
Another trick: Take a soft brown or taupe pencil and define your eye hollow (that bone underneath the brow). "After doing your eyeliner, this greatly enlarges the eye," says Linter.
"When making eyes appear larger, it's all about placement," says makeup artist Sandy Linter. She uses the three lightest shades (yes, all three) from Lancôme Auda[city] in Paris Palette and sweeps them on to highlight her lid. Then, she uses the moderately deep shades from the palette and sweeps them onto her lid from the outer corner of her eye inward.
"To create a deeper crease, apply a light color shadow to the lid and a deeper color into the crease in order to pull the crease back and pull the lid forward," advises Kaye.
If you have close-set eyes, you want to focus on lengthening each eye. To do this, keep darker shadows confined to the outer perimeter (almost like a cat eye, Kaye explains), and use a light, shimmery color along the inner corner of your lid.
Roncal also says that a light, shimmery shadow applied to your lid will make your eyes pop, as it will reflect the light.
Another trick: Take a soft brown or taupe pencil and define your eye hollow (that bone underneath the brow). "After doing your eyeliner, this greatly enlarges the eye," says Linter.
To make your eyes as wide as a young ingénue's, Roncal suggests using a darker color of liner along your upper lash line and a lighter shade along your lower lash line. You want to get a really thin layer of eyeliner and push it into your lashes -- this thickens their appearance.
Try Mally Open Up! Eyeliner, $18, which features a superfine tip that makes it easy to get as close to lashes as possible. And while graphic liner may be in vogue, you should skip it if you want your eyes to look wider. Roncal says this actually makes your eyes look smaller.
Try Mally Open Up! Eyeliner, $18, which features a superfine tip that makes it easy to get as close to lashes as possible. And while graphic liner may be in vogue, you should skip it if you want your eyes to look wider. Roncal says this actually makes your eyes look smaller.
Sometimes knowing how to make your eyes look bigger requires layering on products. "After applying a shadow base you should use the pencil liner and blend the ends," instructs Linter. "Then take a brown, grey or taupe pencil and smudge some pencil in the outer corners of the eye and into the eye hollow and blend with a brush."
Start with a pencil liner, as it's softer and easier to blend, she says. Try Clinique Skinny Stick, $16.50. Then apply a gel or liquid liner on top (we love Make Up For Ever Graphic Liner, $24). "The pencil liner underneath does a unique job of softening up the liquid or gel liner which can tend to make the eyes look harsh if not done correctly. This trick enlarges the eye," she explains.
Start with a pencil liner, as it's softer and easier to blend, she says. Try Clinique Skinny Stick, $16.50. Then apply a gel or liquid liner on top (we love Make Up For Ever Graphic Liner, $24). "The pencil liner underneath does a unique job of softening up the liquid or gel liner which can tend to make the eyes look harsh if not done correctly. This trick enlarges the eye," she explains.
Knowing how to make your eyes look bigger also requires choosing the right eyeliner. Kaye says to waterline your eyes with a cream or white pencil -- think: Lady Gaga in the "Bad Romance" music video, only less extreme -- this will act as an optical illusion, making the whites of your eyes appear bigger. (Bonus: It also helps your eyes look whiter and more awake.)
Our latest obsession: Charlotte Tilbury Rock n' Kohl in Eye Cheat, a creamy shade that stays put all day long.
Our latest obsession: Charlotte Tilbury Rock n' Kohl in Eye Cheat, a creamy shade that stays put all day long.
If you want to know how to make your eyes look bigger, the formula of your mascara does matter. While we're fans of the clumpy lash trend, Kaye says to steer clear of separating mascaras that give you a spiky look, and instead opt for a volumizing mascara.
Roncal adds that a volumizing mascara will give you long, sexy lashes that really make your eyes stand out. Her secret application tip (well, not so secret anymore): Apply the mascara toward the bridge of your nose and fan your lashes out. And don't even think about applying only one coat -- two are needed to give you that extra volume and oomph.
Try CoverGirl The SuperSizer LashBlast Mascara, $6.85, for amazing volume, length and curl.
Roncal adds that a volumizing mascara will give you long, sexy lashes that really make your eyes stand out. Her secret application tip (well, not so secret anymore): Apply the mascara toward the bridge of your nose and fan your lashes out. And don't even think about applying only one coat -- two are needed to give you that extra volume and oomph.
Try CoverGirl The SuperSizer LashBlast Mascara, $6.85, for amazing volume, length and curl.