Most would agree that big, bright eyes are a desirable feature. Some people are lucky to be born with large eyes, but the rest of us have to rely on makeup to fake the look. Thankfully, using makeup to make eyes look bigger isn’t particularly complicated—in fact, you can likely achieve a doe-eyed look using the products you already have in your makeup bag, no matter your natural eye shape (or size).
Here, we’ll teach you how to make your eyes look bigger with makeup. You’ll also get the scoop on some of the best eye-opening NYX Professional Makeup products, from eyeshadows and eyeliners to mascaras and brow products (because, yep, properly-shaped brows can open up your eyes, too). Keep reading to learn how to fake a wide-eyed look with the help of a few makeup staples.
Why Do We Find Big Eyes Attractive?
Culturally, big eyes are often associated with youth, innocence, and femininity. From an evolutionary perspective, babies and small animals often have big eyes, which reinforces our association of big eyes with all things cute and adorable. As for us, we love how makeup can draw attention to the unique beauty of your eyes and make them more noticeable. Knowing this, it's unsurprising that the quest for bigger-looking eyes is pretty common in the beauty world. Fortunately, it's possible to fake the appearance of larger-looking eyes with the right makeup products and technique.
The Basics of Eye Makeup: Creating a Foundation for Bigger-Looking Eyes
Before we dive into a big eyes makeup tutorial (and we will, promise), it’s important to touch on prep. An even, well-prepped canvas can help ensure your makeup products go on smoothly and stay put throughout the day, without the need for constant touch-ups. So, before you break out your eyeshadow and liner, prime your skin with a long-lasting makeup primer, such as The Face Glue Gripping Primer. The lightweight formula helps grip makeup in place for up to 24 hours, and it’s suitable for all skin types. We recommend applying it to your entire face—just avoid the area immediately around your eyes (you can prep your lids with an eyeshadow primer instead).
Tip 1: Wear Shimmery Eyeshadow
Glittery, sparkly, and shimmery eyeshadows aren’t just great for the wow factor: They can also make your eyes appear bigger and brighter. That’s because shimmer reflects light, and this creates an illusion that what the light bounces off of is larger than it actually is. In practice, this means shimmery eye makeup equals bigger-looking eyes. To add some glimmer to your eye makeup routine, we recommend reaching for Ultimate Glow Shots Liquid Eyeshadow. Available in 13 shimmery shades, this liquid eyeshadow delivers high-impact glow with zero flaking or fallout. Just swipe your favorite shade over your lid with the included applicator for up to 12 hours of lustrous, luminous wear.
If you prefer powder shadows, try one of the shimmery shades in the Ultimate Shadow Palette in Paradise Shock. Pat the shade of your choice onto your inner corners and at the center of your lid to reflect light and make your eyes look bigger, brighter, and more open.
Tip 2: Line Only Your Outer Corners
Eyeliner is a makeup bag staple for many, and applied properly, it can help make your eyes look bigger. One simple way to get big eyes with makeup—especially if your eyes are naturally smaller—is to apply eyeliner just to the outer third of your upper lid. This simple trick helps visually elongate your eyes, creating the illusion of larger eyes.
For added lift, try creating a wing with liquid eyeliner, such as the Epic Ink Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner. This eyeliner pen boasts an ultra-fine brush tip for control and precision, and it comes in an array of shades to complement any makeup look. Plus, it’s waterproof and smudge-proof, so once it’s on, it’s staying put.
Tip 3: Lift and Define Your Lashes
One of the easiest (and quickest) ways to make your eyes appear instantly bigger is by curling your eyelashes. It’s simple: the more lifted your lashes are, the more open your eyes will appear. To curl your lashes, reach for our Eyelash Curler. Steady your elbow on a hard surface and lightly grip your upper eyelashes between the two “arms” of the curler. Then, gently rotate the curler upward, clamping along the base, middle, and ends of your lashes to help them curl. Once you’re pleased with the results, apply a coat of mascara (we love the On The Rise Volume Liftscara) for added volume, length, and definition. For doe eyes, add a coat or two of mascara to your lower lashes, as well.
Tip 4: Try False Lashes or Lash Extensions
If curling your lashes isn’t something you’re comfortable with, that’s okay—false lashes will get the job done, too. Try our Jumbo Lash! Vegan False Lashes, which come in four different styles to complement a variety of eye makeup looks. The cruelty-free lashes are stackable, reusable up to 15 times, and apply easily—no unwieldy glue needed. Just line your upper lid with our Jumbo Lash! 2-in-1 Liner & Lash Adhesive, let it dry for two to three seconds, then pop on your lashes. Feel free to trim the lash strip, if needed, for a more precise and natural-looking fit.
Tip 5: Groom Your Brows
When you think of makeup to make eyes look bigger, brow gel might not be the first thing that comes to mind. But it should be—or one of the first things, anyway. Thick, straight brows can visually weigh down your eyes, making them look small or closed off. Creating an arch, meanwhile, has the opposite effect: It literally creates more space, which helps make small eyes look bigger. Use a brow pencil, like the Blade & Shade Nano Brow Pencil, to fill in any sparse areas and define your natural arch. Then, lock down your look with a clear brow gel for long-lasting hold. We love The Brow Glue Instant Brow Styler, which provides up to 16 hours of flake-resistant, non-sticky hold.
Tip 6: Brighten Your Waterline
A white or nude-colored eyeliner is among the best makeup to make eyes look bigger. Though it may seem a bit unconventional, lining your lower waterline (that thin strip of skin between your lashes and your eyeball) can help create the illusion that the whites of your eyes are bigger than they are, making your eyes themselves look bigger in turn.
As for how to execute this trick, it’s super simple. First, grab a creamy gel or pencil eyeliner, such as the Epic Wear Waterproof Eyeliner Stick in Pure White. If you’d like a slightly subtler option, the Vivid Rich Mechanical Eyeliner Pencil in Quartz Queen is an excellent pick. Use the tip of the pencil to color in your bottom waterline for an instant eye-opening effect. For added oomph, try combining this trick with one or two of the others we’ve compiled here—you’ll be rocking a wide-eyed look in no time. .
Tip 7: Darken Your Crease
If your eyes are small, darkening your crease can help add depth and create the illusion that your eyes are larger than they are. The key, though, is to keep it subtle: Too dark, and you could end up overwhelming your eyes. We recommend reaching for an eyeshadow palette that has multiple nude shades, such as Ultimate Color Palette in Warm Neutrals. Cover your lid in a color that’s close to your skin tone (bonus points if it has shimmer!), then reach for a hue two to three shades darker to define your crease. Blend well with a brush to ensure the color is well-diffused for a soft, natural-looking finish.
Tip 8: Highlight for Wider-Looking Eyes
A touch of inner eye highlight can go a long way in making your eyes look bigger. The subtle illumination helps draw attention to your eyes, making them appear more open and awake (this is especially true if you’re wearing a darker shadow on your lids—the brightness of the highlighter adds much-needed contrast). Test the theory by using a small eyeshadow brush to pat your favorite shade of the Buttermelt Highlighter onto your inner corners and just beneath your brow bone. You should notice an immediate eye-opening (and brightening) effect.
Tip 9: Blend Eyeshadow to Your Brow
If you have hooded eyes, it may look like you don’t have much eyelid space (which, in turn, can make your eyes look smaller than they are). To counteract this, try blending a lighter eyeshadow past the crease, toward your brow. This helps give the appearance that your lid space is larger and visually brightens and enlarges the eyes. The lightest shade in the Ultimate Edit Petite Shadow Palette in Warm Neutrals is perfect for creating the illusion of bigger eyes.
Tip 10: Avoid Overly-Thick Liner
Bold eyeliner has a time and a place, but it can be overpowering if you have smaller eyes, as a chunky line can make your lid space look smaller. That doesn’t mean you can’t rock liner, though: just try to keep your lines on the thinner side. To help avoid overwhelming your eyes with liner, use a thin-tipped liquid eyeliner, such as our Epic Ink Liner, to trace a thin line just along your lash line. The waterproof eyeliner pen glides on easily and creates ultra-precise lines for a sharp, seamless finish.
Eye Makeup Products To Make Eyes Look Bigger
Now that you know how to apply makeup to make eyes look bigger, shop through some of our favorite eye makeup products for a wide-open, doe-eyed look.
- Shimmery eyeshadows: The Ultimate Glow Shots Liquid Eyeshadow is a must-try if you’re aiming for a shimmery eye look. The easy-to-apply formulas are packed with shimmer (but not glitter) and deliver a glowy look without any flaking or fallout. If you prefer pencil eyeshadows, fill in your lids with one of the lighter, shimmery-finish Jumbo Eye Pencils, such as Yogurt or Cottage Cheese.
- False lashes: Naturally, the length and volume provided by a great set of false lashes can help make your eyes appear bigger and more open. For a natural look that won’t overpower your eyes, try a wispy lash strip, like the Jumbo Lash! Vegan False Eyelashes in Full Feather Flex, and only apply them to the outer third of your upper lash lines.
- Liquid eyeliner: Liquid eyeliner can be used to trace your lash line or create a dramatic wing that visually lengthens and elongates your eyes. For a controlled application, opt for an eyeliner with a thin, precise tip, such as the Epic Ink Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner. Opt for the classic Black shade for a timeless winged liner look, or double up on the shimmer with one of the Glitz shades, such as Shimmer Stitch.
- Nude eyeliner: If you plan to line your lower waterline, do so with a nude eyeliner to help visually open up your eyes. Our pick: The Vivid Rich Mechanical Eyeliner Pencil in Quartz Queen.
- Brow pencil and gel: Brushing up your brows can make a major difference in how big or open your eyes appear. For a lifted look, fill in your brows with the Micro Brow Pencil, then brush up your arches with The Brow Glue Instant Brow Styler.
- Highlighter: Highlighter is a must-have for creating the illusion of bigger, brighter eyes. The Buttermelt Highlighter is among our favorite picks for its shimmery, pigmented formula, but if you prefer cream highlighters, the Jumbo Multi-Use Highlighter Stick is an excellent option, too.
Next: Plump It Up: How To Get Full, Pouty Lips.
We want to see the wide-eyed looks you create with your favorite NYX Professional Makeup products! Share a pic of your work on social media and tag us @nyxcosmetics.
PRODUCTS USED
ULTIMATE SHADOW PALETTE
Pro-Level 16 pan Palette
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Epic Ink Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner
Waterproof felt-tip liquid eyeliner pen
Micro Brow Pencil
Precise Eyebrow Pencil
JUMBO EYE PENCIL
Multi-use eye crayon
THE FACE GLUE GRIPPING PRIMER
Up to 24h hydrating and gripping makeup prepping glue
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VIVID RICH MECHANICAL PENCIL
Gem-toned pigmented mechanical eye pencil in 12 vivid matte, shimmer, and metallic shades
BUTTERMELT HIGHLIGHTER
Butter smooth glowy highlighter in eight shades.
VIVID RICH MECHANICAL PENCIL
Gem-toned pigmented mechanical eye pencil in 12 vivid matte, shimmer, and metallic shades
