The Best Makeup Tips to Make Small Eyes Look Bigger

One of the most fun things about the makeup world is trying out trending eye makeup looks. But when it comes to doing makeup for small eyes, it can be a challenge to bring those looks to life. If the people who normally sport the looks you want to emulate have bigger eyes, it may even seem like trendy makeup isn’t for you. But that isn’t the case.

Small eyes are absolutely beautiful, and with a little determination, you can rock pretty much any look you want to. It’s all about knowing the right makeup tips and tricks to make your eyes pop. If you’re ready to tackle the topic of eye makeup for small eyes, give the following 16 tips a shot—we promise they’re super easy!

TIP #1: CONCEAL DARK CIRCLES

Concealer is a makeup essential for good reason. Not only does this product help to blur imperfections, but it also works wonders to lighten and brighten your under-eye area. And if you’ve been tackling dark circles, that’s just one more reason to make concealer your new BFF, especially since a dark under-eye area can detract from the rest of your eye makeup. We love the L’Oréal Paris True Match Super-Blendable Multi-Use Concealer thanks to its blendable formula and easy applicator.

TIP #2: COLOR CORRECT YOUR LIDS

Speaking of concealer, you can never go wrong with a round of color correcting. After all, it’s common for your lids to have a slightly different hue than the rest of your face. By balancing things out with a color-correcting concealer, you’ll be able to enhance the shape of your peepers and make your eyeshadow look stand out.

TIP #3: HIGHLIGHT YOUR EYES

We can all agree that highlighter is a must-have essential for enhancing your features, but it also works wonders to help you achieve a wide, open-eyed effect. Dust a highlighter, like the L’Oréal Paris True Match Lumi Shimmerista Highlighting Powder onto your brow bone, the inner corners of eyes, and the center of your lids to give you the look of a lifted and bigger gaze.

TIP #4: ALWAYS USE A LASH CURLER

When it comes to making your small eyes the star of your makeup look, you’ll want to make sure that your peepers can be clearly seen. Using a lash curler is one of the best ways to make your eyes truly pop! Give your lashes the perfect amount of lift with the help of this beauty staple by gently clamping it at the base of your lashes and walking the curler outward for a complete curve.

Editor’s tip: Ready to give your lashes even more lift? Run warm water (but not too hot!) over your lash curler before using it.

TIP #5: SCULPT YOUR BROWS

Sculpted eyebrows are a great way to frame your face and enhance your features, including your small eyes. Grab the L’Oréal Paris Unbelievabrow Longwear Waterproof Gel, which helps to fill in and thicken your brows for a long-lasting look. Lightly apply the product to fill in sparse areas. Then, use the angled brush to outline and define the shape of your brow. Finish up by combing through brows with a spoolie, and your work is done.

TIP #6: REACH FOR MAKEUP PRIMER

To ensure that your makeup for small eyes goes the distance, turn to an eye makeup primer to get the job done. Perfect for tackling creasing and smudging, an eye makeup primer will be a lifesaver. All out of eye makeup primer? No worries! Simply dab a bit of concealer or foundation on your lids to help your makeup look go the distance.

TIP #7: USE NUDE EYELINER

It’s time to bid your dark eyeliner farewell! Dark eyeliner is known to make your eyes look smaller, so ditch your dark liner in favor of something brighter. One of our favorite options? Nude eyeliner! This gorgeous hue is a surefire way to instantly give your eyes a brighter, natural, and more awake look. Not to mention, it’ll also make your small eyes look even bigger. Try this trick with the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Pro-Last Waterproof, Up to 24HR Pencil Eyeliner in Nude.

TIP #8: TRY WHITE EYELINER, TOO

Prefer to take a more dramatic approach with your makeup for small eyes? Consider adding white eyeliner to your must-try list. This neutral shade helps you achieve a fresh and bright look, all with the right amount of edge. With various ways to rock white eyeliner, you’ll be sure to make a lasting impression with every makeup look. Here are 9 Ways to Use White Eyeliner.

TIP #9: EMBRACE THE TIGHTLINING TREND

If there is one makeup trend that can complement your eye makeup for small eyes, tightlining easily takes the top spot. This technique is all about lining your upper lash line, which helps create the appearance of thicker, more defined lashes. We also dig that it makes you look like you’re not wearing any eyeliner at all, so it won’t make your eyes look any smaller. Plus, if you’ve been paying attention, giving your lashes a nice lift is a foolproof way to enhance the shape of your eyes.

Want in? Head on over to our article, What Is Tightlining? Everything You Need to Know About this Invisible Eyeliner Technique, for some pointers.

TIP #10: DON’T SKIP OUT ON WINGED EYELINER

As the saying goes, you can never go wrong with a classic. Winged eyeliner and small eyes are a match made in heaven. This trend helps to create the illusion of bigger eyes. Of course, there is a particular technique you need to follow to score the look. Use the L’Oréal Paris Matte Signature Liquid Dip Eyeliner, Waterproof, and build your winged eyeliner look with small thin strokes. Once you reach the outer edge of your eyes, create a small flick that extends straight outward.

Not too skilled in the art of creating winged eyeliner? Click through our article, How to Achieve Your Sharpest Winged Eyeliner Look, for a step-by-step tutorial.

TIP #11: DON’T APPLY MASCARA ON INNER LASHES

Mascara not only gives your eye makeup a flirty look, but it also helps your eyes stand out, which is the number one goal for small eyes. While lengthening mascara may be your go-to option, we recommend a small shift in technique. Try coating your lashes with the L’Oréal Paris Bambi Eye Waterproof Mascara, Lasting Volume, but concentrate the formula on the outer two-thirds of your eyelashes to avoid making your eyes look closed off.

TIP #12: TRY FALSE EYELASHES

Sporting a flirty and lifted fringe is key for making your small eyes the center of attention. If you want to take your look up a notch, false eyelashes will make it happen. Keep in mind, not any set of false eyelashes will do. It’s essential to find the right style that complements your eye shape. If every set you find seems too big, you can always trim the lash strip down to size. Once you have the perfect set of falsies, visit our article, How to Apply False Eyelashes and Other Fake Lash Hacks, for a seamless application process. 

TIP #13: USE MULTIPLE COLORED EYESHADOWS

Colorful makeup looks are beautiful and eye-catching, but they also work to give your small eyes extra oomph. It also adds dimension, which works to give your eyes a highlighted finish. Play with color with the L’Oréal Paris Colour Riche Pocket Palette Eyeshadow in Avant Garde Azure, Haute Hazel or Violet Amour.

TIP #14: APPLY EYESHADOW TO YOUR LOWER LASHLINE

It’s common practice to apply eyeshadow on your lids, but you’ll need to show your lower lash line some love to make a big impact. Sweeping a line of eyeshadow right under your bottom lashes provides your eyes with more definition and creates a contouring effect that goes a long way with your makeup for small eyes.

TIP #15: DEFINE YOUR CREASE

Just as contouring accentuates your cheekbones and sculpts your face, you may want to consider a crease contour. This trick gives the appearance of deeper set eyes, making your peepers look larger than they actually are. To get the look, use a neutral matte shade, like the L’Oréal Paris Colour Riche Monos Eyeshadow in Café Au Lait, and blend the color onto your crease and the outer corner of your eyes. Voila!

TIP #16: CONTOUR YOUR CREASE

If you love to take makeup cues from A-listers, then you know that contouring is where it’s at. A chic way to define your facial features and add a chiseled touch to your look, this trend also works in your favor to make your eyes look bigger—if you focus your attention on your crease. Use an eyeshadow that’s about three shades darker than your skin tone to deepen your crease and really make your eyes more defined and prominent.

Next: Best Eye Makeup and Eye Shadow Trends for 2020