How to Do Eye Makeup on Close Set Eyes

Based on the name alone, you can probably guess exactly what close set eyes are. They’re eyes that are pretty close together — it’s really that straight forward. If you think your eyes might be a match for that definition, you might find that you have difficulty finding a makeup look that best works for your eye shape. 

Here, we’re sharing how to determine if you have close set eyes, and we’re also giving the best makeup tips for close set eyes. So, break out your eyeshadows, eyeliner, and mascara and get ready to learn about how to do makeup for close set eyes.

How To Determine If You Have Close Set Eyes

Determining your eye shape can be just about as big of a challenge as finding out your face shape. Thankfully, there’s an easy trick for telling whether or not you have close set eyes — and all you need is a ruler or measuring tape. Measure the space between your eyes. If that measurement is smaller than the width of one of your eyes, it’s confirmed — your eyes are indeed close set.

How To Do Makeup for Close Set Eyes

Hopping on the internet and watching any old makeup tutorial won’t necessarily teach you how to successfully do your makeup. Even if the beauty expert’s eyeshadow turns out flawless, the same techniques might not work for close set eyes — since different eye shapes require different makeup application. 

If you have close set eyes, you won’t want to do your makeup exactly the same way as your friends with hooded eyes or wide set eyes. Here’s how to do makeup for close set eyes.

1. Prime Your Lids

No matter your eye shape, the first step in doing your eye makeup should be the same. Before you can move on to the colorful shadows and pigmented eyeliner, you need to prime your eyes. Dot a small amount of eye makeup primer onto your eyelids and beneath your brows, then blend it out with your finger.

2. Create a Shadow Gradient

Applying a single eyeshadow won’t do close set eyes any favors. To make your eyes appear wider, you’ll need multiple shades. Pick a palette that contains three to four coordinating colors, like one of the L’Oréal Paris Colour Riche Pocket Palette Eye Shadows. 

Apply the shades from lightest to darkest, working your way from the inner corner outward. This gradient effect will help visually widen your eyes. Just be sure to take time and carefully blend each shade into the next for a seamless look.

3. Highlight the Inner Corner

To instantly make your eyes look wide awake, apply a highlighter around the inner corner of your eyes. Choose a light, shimmery shade, like the L’Oréal Paris True Match Lumi Glow Amour Glow Boosting Drops in Daybreak, and use your finger to press the highlighter onto the skin around your tear ducts. It’s so easy, and your eyes will look bigger and brighter, just like that.

4. Partially Line Your Eyes

For anyone with close set eyes, eyeliner is a total game changer. Still, lining your eyes like usual isn’t as flattering for your eye shape. Instead, focus the eyeliner on the outer half of your eyes (top and bottom). 

Any style of eyeliner will do, but a cat eye can be particularly flattering. Whichever style of liner you choose, try using the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Grip Precision Felt Waterproof Eyeliner to get a seamless, no-smudge look — and you’ll love the long-lasting formula.

5. Apply Mascara

No eye makeup look is complete without mascara. Brush a coat or two of a volumizing mascara,like the L’Oréal Paris Voluminous Lash Paradise Waterproof Mascara, onto your lashes, focusing more product on the outer lashes.

Editor’s tip: If you want a true wide-eyed look, try placing a few individual false lashes at the outer corner of each eye.

6. Extend Your Eyebrows

Don’t forget, your eyebrows can make a major difference in how your eye makeup looks when you have close set eyes. Use an eyebrow gel, like the L’Oréal Paris Unbelieva-Brow Longwear Waterproof Brow Gel, to fill in your brows and extend the tails a little further. Your brows will look super bold and beautiful, and your eyes will seem as if they’ve been extended, too.

Next: How to Blend 3 Eyeshadows For A Bold Eye Makeup Look

Edited by: Shannon Stubbs, Photo Credit: iStock