How to Make Your Eyes Pop

The right eye makeup look can really make your eyes pop. We’ve put together some pro tips to help you get bright, wide, dazzling eyes whether you’ve just rolled out of bed or need to look your best for a night out. Check out the steps below to learn how to do the perfect eye makeup look every time.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Applying Eyeliner

1
Apply black eyeliner along your top lash line. With your black pencil eyeliner, trace a line from the inside corner of your eye to the outside of your eyelid with the pencil. Don’t worry about making the line super neat, since you’ll be able to clean it up in just a minute.^{[1]XResearch source}
- Pencil eyeliner won’t make a super straight line, so it may look a little smudged on your lid.
2
Re-apply your eyeliner 2 to 3 times. Make it slightly thicker, smoother, and longer. Draw the end of the line slightly past the edge of your eyes to make them look larger.^{[2]XResearch source}
- More layers will give your liner extra definition so that it looks darker and draws more attention.
Use a small makeup brush to pat loose black eyeliner on top of your line of eyeliner. Be gentle here — if you use just a little, it will make the lines thicker without having a completely overpowering effect.^{[3]XResearch source}
Start below your pupil — about halfway along the lid — and trace the line back to the outer corner to meet the darker upper line. Go back and forth a few times to really rub the eyeliner into place.^{[4]XResearch source}
Apply your white color just along the puffiest part of your lower lid. This helps get rid of dark rings beneath your eyes, and will also make your eyes look bigger and brighter.^{[5]XResearch source}
Alternative: Putting eyeliner directly on your waterline can be a little uncomfortable, so you can apply it right beneath your waterline instead.
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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Using Eye Shadow

1
Pick eyeshadow colors that complement your eye color. If you have green, brown, or hazel eyes, try using purple, brown, or green eyeliner to make them pop. If you have blue eyes, try mauve and rose gold eyeshadows, or even cream and white with a little bit of a pink tinge.^{[6]XResearch sourceDevorah Kuperland. Makeup Artist. Personal interview. 7 May 2020.}
- Make sure you have separate brushes for your different colors so that they don’t mix together.
2
Apply a light or neutral eye shadow to your upper lid. Using short but even strokes, cover your upper lid from the inside corner to just before the outside edge. The shadow should extend up to the crease at the top of your eye.^{[7]XResearch source}
- Be gentle with the shadow — subtlety is best here.
Tip: If you'll be in a humid area, try using a cream or stick eyeshadow instead of powdered eyeshadow. These products are long-wearing and have a nice consistency, and they're often waterproof.^{[8]XResearch sourceDevorah Kuperland. Makeup Artist. Personal interview. 7 May 2020.}
3
Blend a darker eye shadow into the outer edges of your eye. Using a darker shade that complements your first shade, apply shadow to the outside edge of your eyelid. Blend it into the first color up along the crease of your eye until you can’t see a definition between the 2 colors.^{[9]XResearch source}
- Try using the same color but choosing a different shade. For example, if you used light pink for your first eye shadow, blend in a darker pink.
4
Add a white eye shadow to the inside corner of your eye. Using a much lighter shade (even a white shadow or liner), lighten the inside corner of your eye along the upper lid. Curl around to the eye to reach the bottom lid.^{[10]XResearch source}
- The light color will make your eyes look bigger.
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Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Putting On False Eyelashes

1
Trim your false lashes so they fit on your eyelid. Most false eyelashes are one-size-fits-all, so they’ll probably be a little too long. Hold them up to your eyes and see how much you need to cut off, then carefully trim the lashes with small scissors. Take off a little bit at a time to avoid cutting your lashes too short.^{[11]XResearch source}
- False lashes that are too long can drag your eyes downward, making them look smaller.
2
Curl your lashes with an eyelash curler. Open your curler and hold it close to your eye along your upper eyelid. Blink gently to swing your eyelashes into the open device. Carefully close the curler, stopping immediately if you feel any pulling or discomfort. Repeat a few times for a more dramatic effect.^{[12]XResearch source}
- When you're done, switch to your other eye to repeat the process.
- Try not to pull your eyelash curler forward while it’s clamped shut, or you could accidentally pull out some of your eyelashes.
3
Dab some lash glue onto the back of the false lashes. Hold your falsies with a pair of scissors and gently dab a thin line of lash glue onto the base of the lashes. Let the glue dry for about 1 minute so that it gets tacky before you press the lashes onto your eyes.^{[13]XResearch source}
- If the glue is too wet when you press it onto your eyelid, it could run down into your eye and cause irritation.
Hold the lashes in a pair of tweezers and line them up with your lash line. Gently press the lashes onto your eyelid and hold them there for about 5 seconds, then let go. Try not to move your eyes around too much for the next 2 to 3 minutes while the glue dries.^{[14]XResearch source}
Tip: If your lashes are too high up or they look uneven, just peel them off and apply more glue to try again.
5
Brush black mascara onto your false and real lashes. Wiggle your wand back and forth a bit while pulling it upward along the lashes to fan them out and get more makeup for your stroke. The mascara will blend your natural and fake lashes together so that they look seamless.^{[15]XResearch source}
- Black mascara works the best with false lashes since they are the same color. If you use colored lashes, you can apply some mascara of the same color on top instead.
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Expert Q&A

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Question
What's a good way to make brown or hazel eyes really stand out?
Devorah Kuperland
Makeup Artist
Devorah Kuperland is a Makeup Artist and the Founder of Glam By Dev, a New York City-based business specializing in bridal, special events, and editorial campaigns. Devorah has over five years of professional makeup consulting experience and her work has been featured in New York's Bridal Fashion Week.
Devorah Kuperland
Makeup Artist
Expert Answer
Use a beautiful deeper plum or deeper purple eyeliner where you would normally use black or brown. You can also use subtle hints of green to really make a hazel eye come to life.
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Question
Are fake eyelashes a must?
Community Answer
Although fake eyelashes do give you more of a seductive look, they aren't a must, especially if you can achieve a similar look with an eyelash curler and a few coats of mascara.
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Tips

Avoid applying dark eyeliner on the waterline of your lower lashes, as this can make your eyes appear smaller.
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Patting concealer along your under eye bags after your foundation is in place will help your makeup stand out while minimizing any tired-looking dark rings.
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