Photo of Bongiwe Mati

Ways to make your eyes look bigger using make-up

Being able to apply make up is such a fun thing to do. Not only is it fun, it also saves you money that you would have to pay if you have to use a makeup artists whenever you need to be dolled up. One of the most difficult steps in applying make up is transforming the eyes into different shapes. This technique needs one to have the right equipment (brushes, liner and mascara) and be patient for a perfect finish.

If you, just like me, love transforming your eyes into different shades and shapes using make up, but do not know how to, the following ten steps to make your eyes look bigger by the L’Oréal Paris might be what you have been looking for:

1.Use a brown or coloured eyeliner

Although black might be the classic choice for eyeliner, mixing up the colour can make all the difference.  If you really want to enhance your eyes, try an eyeliner that matches your eye colour – this will draw attention to the iris and give your eyes an unforgettable impact.

2.Highlight with eyeshadow

For eye makeup that makes your eyes look bigger, highlighter is an essential tool. Pick a reflective eye shadow with a little shimmer, a few shades lighter than your skin tone. Apply it to areas of the eye that you want to draw attention to, such as the inner corner, the centre of the eyelid, the cheekbones, and the brow bone.

3. Contour your eye shape

We all know that contour can work wonders. Playing with light and dark shades, if done correctly, can create an optical illusion that appears to change the structure of the face. Apply a darker shade on your eyelid crease to add definition to the eyes. Using a finger or blending brush, draw the colour upwards and outwards to make the eyes appear wider. Finish by adding a touch near the outer bottom corner, and blend to perfection.

4. Get to know the three fourths rule

The secret to eye makeup to make eyes look bigger is mastering the three fourths rule. While the first impulse may be to draw your eyeliner across the full length of your eyelid or waterline, don’t be fooled. This type of long, solid line can have a narrowing effect. However, lining only three fourths of your lid instead will draw attention to the outer corner of the eye, maintaining a wide-eyed effect.

5. Keep your colour palette neutral

If you’re on the hunt for eyeshadow to make your eyes look bigger, neutral tones will be your best friend. Natural colours will open up and soften the visage, whereas bold tones may have the opposite result. But all eyes are a little different, so you may wish to learn more about the best makeup style for your unique shape.

6. Use white along the water line

If you don’t yet have a white eyeliner pencil in your makeup bag, this is your sign to invest. Dashing a white eyeliner along the waterline is a much-loved trick by makeup artists to achieve a dramatic doll-eye look.

7. Apply a lengthening mascara

Speaking of eyelashes – they are not to be forgotten. A lengthening mascara like the L’Oréal Paradise Mascara will expand your eyes outward and give them a seriously fluttery look. For a little extra love and length, treat your lashes daily with a Clinically Proven Lash Serum. Don’t forget your lower lashes too!

8. Use an eyelash curler

Curling your eyelashes will draw them outward, amplifying their size and giving them a more rounded appearance. At the start of your makeup routine, crimp your lashes a few times with a high-quality curler. If you’re running low on time, a lengthening mascara with curling properties, such as our Pro XXL Mascara, will achieve a similar look.

9. Wing eyeliner up and out

When figuring out how to make your eyes look bigger with eyeliner, always remember our simple motto: upwards and outwards. Use your eyeliner of choice to elongate the corners of your eyes by giving your wings a classic swoop towards your temples. Here’s an extra trick – use the outer tips of your brows as a guide for the direction of your wing

10. Shape your brows

Brows play a significant role in shaping your features and your face. A gently rounded, arched brow is the ideal shape for makeup to make eyes look bigger. Form the shape using an eyebrow pencil, then use Plumper Eyebrow Mascara to thicken them, brushing and setting hairs diagonally upwards for an eye-widening look.

Also see: Essential make-up brushes for beginners

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