Want Bigger-Looking Eyes? Try This Doe Eye Makeup Tutorial

TikTok beauty trends change faster than your For You page, but the doe eye look seems as though it’s here to stay. In contrast to siren eyes—another TikTok trend—doe eye makeup is all about creating the illusion of bigger, brighter eyes. Done right, the technique creates a bright and expressive gaze that has just a hint of retro ‘70s flair.

If you’re ready to give the alluring doe-eyed look your own spin, read on. Ahead, we’re detailing everything you need to know about creating this wide-awake look and sharing our favorite products for nailing the trend.

Doe eye makeup involves using specific makeup products—usually, eyeshadow, eyeliner, and mascara—to create the illusion of large, doll-like eyes. The name, as you could probably guess, is a nod to the innocent-looking eyes that baby deer (i.e., does) have.

Typically, the look features long, fluttery lashes, matte lids, and eyeliner focused on only the upper lash line. However, there are plenty of ways to make the doe-eyed look your own. You could add a wing for a nod to the classic cat eye, for example, or swap matte eyeshadow for a shimmery highlighter for a more glam effect—there’s plenty of room to play around.

One thing that’s non-negotiable with doe-eyed makeup, however, is that the lower lash line should be defined with light-colored eyeliner. This helps make the eyes appear brighter and larger—two characteristics that are key for the innocent, doe-eyed look. We recommend opting for a waterproof version, such as the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Grip Mechanical Gel Eyeliner in Nude or White. This highly-pigmented gel liner glides on smoothly and offers up to 36 hours of transfer- and smudge-resistant wear.

Because it’s so versatile, doe eye makeup can flatter a number of different eye shapes, from round to almond and everything in between. Best of all, the look can be created with products you (probably) already have in your vanity—no shopping trip needed.

What You’ll Need to Create Doe Eyes

Pulling off a perfect doe eye is easier than it may seem—the trick lies in a few simple techniques and the right products. This is what you’ll need to create a doe-eyed look:

• Foundation
• Concealer
• A waterproof nude or white eyeliner
• Black eyeliner
• Lengthening mascara
• Matte bronzer or eyeshadow
• Lip gloss
• Pink blush

7-Step Doe Eye Makeup Tutorial

If you’re interested in trying a doe-eyed makeup look on your next night out but aren’t quite sure where to start, keep reading. We’re breaking down how to do doe eye makeup in seven simple steps, ahead.

1. Apply foundation

Doe eye makeup is all about creating a youthful, refreshed look. To match your bright-eyed gaze, we recommend starting your routine with a natural-looking foundation that can help even out your complexion while still looking like skin. Our pick is the L’Oréal Paris True Match Hyaluronic Tinted Serum, which offers sheer, lightweight coverage and gives skin a natural-looking radiant finish. Apply it with either your fingers or a makeup sponge and build it up until you’ve reached your desired level of coverage.

2. Sweep bronzer over your lids

Using the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Up to 24H Fresh Wear Soft Matte Bronzer and a fluffy eyeshadow brush, lightly apply bronzer all over your lid to create a neutral base and blur any veins or imperfections. Alternatively, you could use your favorite matte eyeshadow for this step—just take care to ensure it’s not too dark, as the goal here is to look bright and alert.

3. Define your upper lash line

Next, reach for a liquid eyeliner, and line your upper lash line, keeping the pigment as close to your lashes as possible. The goal here isn’t to create a visible strip of liner, but rather, darken your natural lash line to help your lashes appear fuller and thicker.

For this step, we recommend using the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Grip Precision Felt Waterproof Eyeliner in Black (if you have naturally black lashes) or Brown (if your lashes are lighter). The eyeliner’s precise felt tip makes for easy shaping and mess-free application, plus, the smudge-proof formula lasts for up to 30 hours.

4. Line your lower waterline

Once your liquid liner sets, reach for your white or nude-colored pencil eyeliner and begin tracing along your lower waterline (if you need help nailing your technique, check out our article How To Do Waterline Eyeliner Like a Pro). The placement of your light-colored eyeliner will help make the whites of your eyes appear larger, thereby giving you a brighter, more doe-eyed look.

5. Conceal dark circles

Since this doe-eyed look requires applying mascara to the upper and lower lashes, we recommend concealing your under-eyes before applying mascara. Take the L’Oréal Paris True Match Radiant Serum Concealer and use your ring finger to lightly dot some product onto the under-eyes, blending it in with a makeup sponge.

Using a small powder brush or sponge, take the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Up to 24H Fresh Wear Foundation in a Powder and lightly set your under-eye concealer. This powder foundation provides full coverage with a lightweight finish that lasts, as the name suggests, up to one full day.

6. Curl your lashes and apply mascara

As the final touch for your eye makeup look, curl your eyelashes and apply a generous coat of the L’Oréal Paris Voluminous Panorama Washable Mascara to the upper and lower lashes. This long-wearing mascara creates corner-to-corner volume and makes eyes appear up to 1.4 times larger, making it ideal for your doe-eye makeup look.

7. Finish with rosy blush and glossy lips

We suggest keeping the rest of your makeup light and fresh to complement your bright doe eyes. Try swiping L’Oreal Paris True Match Blush onto the apples of your cheeks for a plump, rosy glow, then swipe on your favorite shade of the L’Oréal Paris Glow Paradise Balm-in-Lipstick with Pomegranate Extract for a your-lips-but-better look.

7 Tips to Mastering the Doe Eye Makeup Look

Here are some pro hacks and insider tips for creating an MUA-level doe-eyed look.

Add shimmer

For the classic doe-eyed look you see all over TikTok, follow the seven-step doe eye makeup tutorial we shared above. However, if you want to amp it up for nighttime or put your own spin on it, the best way to do so without detracting from the doe-eyed look is to amp up the shimmer and shine.

After bronzing your lids, tap a silver, nude, or gold shimmer eyeshadow, like L’Oréal Paris Colour Riche Monos Eyeshadow in Little Beige Dress onto your lids. It’ll add a hint of luster for a distinctly glam flair that won’t overpower your look.

Fill in your brows

Frame your wide-open eyes by using a brow pencil or pen to fill in your brows. Use small, hair-like strokes to add definition that still looks soft and natural. We love L’Oréal Paris Brow Stylist Definer Mechanical Waterproof Eyebrow Pencil for this–just be sure to choose a shade that closely matches or is slightly lighter than your natural brow color for a seamless finish.

Try falsies

If you want a more dramatic doe-eyed effect, consider applying false lashes to your upper lash line. You can use a strip lash if desired, but individual lashes applied to just the outer corners of your eyes will yield a more natural effect.

Highlight

Draw attention to your eyes by applying highlighter to the inner corner of your eyes and just beneath your brows. The reflectivity will have a brightening effect and help to amplify the doe-eyed look you created earlier.

Set your look

There’s nothing worse than spending time on your makeup only for it to smudge or melt off a few hours later. Make sure that doesn’t happen by misting your face with a setting spray, like L’Oréal Paris Infallible Pro-Spray and Set Makeup Oil-Free Setting Spray, before heading out the door.

Next Up: Hooded Eyes Makeup Tutorial