How to Use Makeup (& Other Tricks) to Get Smaller Looking Eyes

Do you wish there was a way to make your eyes just a little bit smaller? You're in luck—while you can’t physically change your eyeball size, you can create the illusion of smaller eyes. If you have big eyelids or bulbous eyes, there are plenty of tricks and hacks that you can do to make them appear tinier. If makeup and natural remedies just aren't cutting it for you, plastic surgery could also be a solution.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Makeup Hacks

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1
Tightline your waterlines. Use waterproof eyeliner and apply it to your upper and lower water lines. Choose a dark color, like black or dark brown.^{[1]XExpert SourceAlicia D'Angelo
Makeup Artist & Hair StylistExpert Interview. 10 April 2020.} This will make your eyes look deeper-set and your lashes longer.^{[2]XResearch source}
- Be careful when tightlining not to get eyeliner on your eyeball.
2
Blend dark eyeshadow onto your eyelids. Take an eyeshadow brush and press the eyeshadow on the outer corner of your eyelids and blend towards the center. The dark colors shade the area and reflect less light, making your eyes look smaller.^{[3]XResearch source}
- For a daytime look, consider using a lighter brown or purple. For a nighttime look, consider black, navy blue, or charcoal.
- Use matte eyeshadow to add extra depth. While you can use shimmery eyeshadow, keep in mind that it reflects light.
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3
Draw on winged eyeliner. It’s easiest to use liquid eyeliner, but you can also use a pencil or gel formula. Start by drawing a line from your tear duct to the outer edge of your lower line. Pull the end of the line around 0.25 inches (0.64 cm) past the end of your eyelid. Once the line is drawn, fill in any blank spots.^{[4]XResearch source}
- Lining the entirety of your upper lid with a thick, dark line will shrink the appearance of your eyelid and make it look less round.
- Gently pull the outer corner of your eye to make the application easier.^{[5]XResearch source}
4
Brush mascara onto your eyelashes. Start at the root of your lashes and pull the brush upwards towards the ends. Keep brushing until you reach your desired color, length, and thickness. This step helps make your eyes look smaller by hiding your eyelids.^{[6]XResearch source}
- Be careful while applying mascara. Try to hold the brush horizontally and parallel to your eyes. Don’t poke your eyes!

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Natural Remedies

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1
Limit your salt intake. Salt is a common culprit for under eye swelling, making your eyes look bigger. The puffiness can also create dark shadows, which adds to the appearance of large, puffy eyes. Salt makes your eyes puffy because your body retains water to keep a balanced ratio.^{[7]XTrustworthy SourceUniversity of California San Francisco Health CenterResearch hospital associated with UCSF, a leading medical university, providing innovative patient care and public health resourcesGo to source}
- Avoid high sodium foods like, pizza, chips, canned soups, and soy sauce.
2
Get 7 to 8 hours of sleep every night. When you don’t get enough sleep, the blood vessels under your eyes expand, creating bags and dark circles. Getting enough sleep, helps constrict these dilated blood vessels under your eyes.
- Keep in mind that some people need more than 7 hours and some need less.
3
Place cucumber slices on your eyelids for 20 minutes. Refrigerate a cucumber for at least 30 minutes before using. Lie down and place the cucumber slices over both of your eyes. Replace the cucumbers every 2 minutes for 20 minutes. After the 20 minutes are up, wash your face with water.^{[8]XResearch source}
- The cucumber’s cool temperature improves blood circulation, helping reduce the appearance of puffiness. Also, the antioxidants are good for you!^{[9]XResearch source}

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Eyelid Surgery

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1
Talk to your doctor or plastic surgeon about blepharoplasty. Blepharoplasty is a procedure where a plastic surgeon cuts your upper and or lower eyelids. Then, they remove excess fat, muscle, and skin and close the incision. By shrinking your eyelids, your eyes will look smaller. Reach out to your doctor to learn more about the procedure and ask questions.^{[10]XTrustworthy SourceMayo ClinicEducational website from one of the world's leading hospitalsGo to source}
- Ask your doctor about the costs, dangers, benefits, and recovery time of the procedure.
- Before proceeding, make sure that blepharoplasty is right for you.^{[11]XResearch source}
2
Schedule your appointments. Once you find a safe, well-distinguished surgeon, schedule your appointments with the office’s receptionist. You will at the least have to schedule a pre-op, procedure, and post-op appointment.^{[12]XResearch source}
- Schedule your appointments for when you have an entire week free.^{[13]XResearch source}
- Call to schedule your procedure early because procedure times can fill up quickly!
3
Undergo surgery. Follow any and all instructions that your surgeon gives you. Instructions often include, but are not limited to, when you can eat last, arrival time, and medications to take.^{[14]XResearch source}
- After the surgery, you may temporarily experience blurred vision, watering eyes, light sensitivity, double vision, puffy eyelids, swelling and bruising, and pain.^{[15]XTrustworthy SourceMayo ClinicEducational website from one of the world's leading hospitalsGo to source}
4
Follow your surgeon's instructions to reduce swelling. After the appointment, you will be given more instructions to aid your healing process. These will include icing procedures, medications to take, restrictions, incision care, etc. While most swelling will go down in a week, it may take anywhere from 6 to 12 months for all swelling to go down.^{[16]XTrustworthy SourceMayo ClinicEducational website from one of the world's leading hospitalsGo to source}
- Follow all the instructions carefully, or you can risk a longer recovery or complications.

Expert Q&A

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Question
What color makeup will make my eyes look smaller?
Alicia D'Angelo
Makeup Artist & Hair Stylist
Alicia D'Angelo is a makeup artist based in New York City. She currently works for teams with Dior Makeup, YSL Beauty and Pat McGrath Labs as well as bridal companies Once Upon A Bride and Miss Harlequinn. Her work has been featured in Today.com, New York Live, Forbes.com, VH1, MTV, Vevo, Entertainment Weekly, Refinery 29, and NYXCosmetics.com. She has a Visual Communications degree from FIDM-Los Angeles.
Alicia D'Angelo
Makeup Artist & Hair Stylist
Expert Answer
Darker tones will make the eyes appear smaller. Avoid bright or light tones in the inner corner or center of the lid to not draw attention to the size of the eyes.
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Tips

Be precise when applying makeup.
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Apply your makeup in natural light.
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Drink a lot of water to avoid eyelid swelling.
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Warnings

Not all surgeons are of the same quality. Research surgeons in great detail before picking one.
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Don’t poke your eye while applying makeup!
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