Makeup Techniques for Close-Set Eyes

Close-set eyes create an intense, focused gaze that can be incredibly striking. If your eyes are positioned closer together than average, you have a unique opportunity to create stunning looks by learning techniques that enhance your natural features while creating the illusion of more space between your eyes.

Understanding Close-Set Eyes

Close-set eyes are positioned with less than one eye's width of space between them. This creates a concentrated, intense look that can be very alluring. People with close-set eyes often have strong, penetrating gazes and well-defined features. The key is learning how to balance this intensity with techniques that create visual space.

Creating Visual Space: Key Principles

The main objectives when working with close-set eyes are to:

• Create the illusion of space: Use techniques that visually separate the eyes
• Emphasize outer portions: Draw attention toward the outer corners
• Lighten inner areas: Use bright, light colors near the nose bridge
• Expand horizontally: Focus on widening rather than heightening

Eyeshadow Techniques for Opening Up

The Outward Focus Method

1. Prime the entire lid: Create a smooth, even base for application
2. Inner corner brightness: Apply the lightest, most shimmery shade to inner corners
3. Light bridge area: Use a light concealer or highlighter between your brows
4. Graduated darkness: Apply progressively darker shades as you move outward
5. Outer corner emphasis: Place your darkest, most dramatic colors on the outer third
6. Extend beyond natural shape: Bring color slightly beyond your natural eye shape outward

Strategic Color Placement

• Focus on outer two-thirds: Concentrate color application here
• Minimize inner corner darkness: Avoid dark colors near the nose bridge
• Horizontal blending: Blend colors side to side rather than up and down
• Lower lid emphasis: Use light colors on the inner portion of lower lid

Eyeliner Strategies for Space Creation

The Spacing Technique

• Start liner away from inner corner: Begin application about 1/3 into the eye
• Thicken toward outer corner: Make liner progressively thicker outward
• Extend the wing: Create longer, more dramatic wings
• Lower lash line focus: Line only the outer two-thirds of lower lash line

Advanced Liner Techniques

• Double-wing effect: Create parallel lines for modern looks
• Colored liner accents: Use bright colors on outer corners
• Lower waterline strategy: Use nude or white liner on waterline
• Graphic elements: Add geometric shapes to outer corners

Eyebrow Styling for Close-Set Eyes

Shape and Spacing Strategy

• Create more space: Tweeze or trim inner brow edges to create distance
• Focus on outer portions: Make the outer brow area more pronounced
• Extend the tail: Let brow tails extend beyond the outer corner of your eye
• Arch placement: Position the highest point of your arch further outward

Application Techniques

• Lighter inner portions: Use less product on inner brow areas
• Define outer areas: Create more definition toward the tail
• Highlight strategically: Use concealer under outer portions of brows
• Brush direction: Brush hairs outward to create width

Mascara and Lash Enhancement

Application Focus Areas

• Outer lash emphasis: Apply extra coats to outer corner lashes
• Curl strategically: Focus curling on outer lashes
• Length over volume: Choose lengthening formulas over volumizing
• Lower lash strategy: Apply to outer lower lashes only

False Lash Options

• Outer corner emphasis: Use individual lashes on outer corners
• Half strips: Apply lashes only to outer half of eye
• Graduated lengths: Shorter inner, longer outer lashes
• Winged styles: Lashes that flare outward dramatically

Best Eyewear for Close-Set Eyes

Frame Styles That Open Up

• Wide frames: Frames that extend well beyond your temples
• Light or transparent bridges: Minimal nose bridge details
• Outward-flaring designs: Frames wider at the temples
• Rimless or semi-rimless: Less frame material near the center

Features to Look For

• Wide temple placement: Frames that sit wide on your face
• Minimal center decoration: Clean, simple nose bridge area
• Proportional lens size: Large enough to balance your features
• Light-colored frames: Colors that don't compete with your eyes

Color Choices for Close-Set Eyes

Recommended Palettes

• Light, shimmery shades: Champagne, vanilla, pearl for inner corners
• Medium transitional tones: Soft browns, taupes for middle areas
• Deep outer corner colors: Charcoal, navy, or deep plum for drama
• Bright accent colors: Metallics and jewel tones for outer emphasis

Strategic Color Application

• Light to dark gradient: Lightest inner, darkest outer
• Contrasting inner corners: Use opposite colors to create separation
• Metallic highlights: Shimmery shades to reflect light outward
• Cool vs. warm placement: Use contrasting temperatures for separation

Advanced Techniques

Optical Illusion Methods

• Nose bridge contouring: Use subtle highlighting between brows
• Inner corner sculpting: Create depth with strategic shading
• Asymmetrical application: Slightly different techniques on each eye
• Layered highlighting: Multiple light sources for maximum effect

Professional Tips

• Use primer always: Ensures longevity of space-creating effects
• Blend extensively: Seamless transitions are crucial
• Check symmetry: Both eyes should have consistent spacing effects
• Practice regularly: These techniques require muscle memory

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Lining inner corners: This closes up the eye area further
• Dark inner corner shadows: Creates the opposite of desired effect
• Bringing brows too close: Emphasizes the close-set appearance
• Heavy center focus: Avoid techniques that draw attention inward
• Symmetrical application: Sometimes slight asymmetry helps balance

Step-by-Step Daily Routine

1. Apply eyeshadow primer to entire lid and brow bone
2. Highlight inner corners with shimmery light shade
3. Apply light concealer or highlighter between brows
4. Use medium tone on center of lid
5. Apply darkest shade to outer third, blending outward
6. Line upper lash line starting 1/3 into eye
7. Create extended wing pointing outward
8. Apply nude liner to waterline
9. Focus mascara on outer lashes
10. Shape brows with focus on outer portions

Troubleshooting Common Issues

If Eyes Still Look Too Close

• Increase the brightness of inner corner highlights
• Extend eyeshadow and liner further outward
• Use more contrasting colors between inner and outer areas
• Consider professional brow shaping for more space

If Makeup Looks Unbalanced

• Check that both eyes have consistent outward emphasis
• Ensure inner corner highlights are equally bright
• Verify that wing lengths are similar
• Practice blending techniques for smoother transitions

Special Occasion Enhancements

• Dramatic outer corners: Use bold, contrasting colors
• Extended wings: Create more dramatic eyeliner extensions
• False lash drama: Focus on outer corner enhancement
• Metallic emphasis: Use high-impact shimmers for special events