Round eyes are beautiful and expressive, creating a youthful and open appearance. With the right makeup techniques, you can enhance your round eyes while creating the illusion of length and definition to balance your natural eye shape.
Understanding Round Eyes
Round eyes are characterized by visible white space above and below the iris when looking straight ahead. The eye appears circular rather than almond-shaped, and the height and width of the eye are roughly equal. This creates a naturally wide-eyed, innocent look.
Identification Check
Look straight into a mirror. If you can see white above and below your iris, and your eyes appear more circular than oval, you have round eyes.
Key Makeup Goals for Round Eyes
The main objectives when applying makeup to round eyes are:
- Create length: Elongate the eye shape horizontally
- Add definition: Use shading to create depth
- Lift the outer corner: Create a subtle upward tilt
- Balance proportions: Make eyes appear more almond-shaped
Eyeshadow Techniques
The Elongating Method
- Prime the lids: Use eyeshadow primer for longevity
- Light base shade: Apply a neutral shade across the entire lid
- Medium transition shade: Apply in the outer third of the crease, blending outward
- Dark defining shade: Focus on the outer corner and blend upward and outward
- Highlight: Apply to inner corner and under the brow bone
Color Placement Strategy
- Outer third focus: Concentrate darker colors on the outer portion
- Horizontal blending: Blend colors side to side rather than up and down
- Extended application: Bring eyeshadow slightly beyond the natural eye shape
- Lower lash line: Apply dark shadow only on the outer third of lower lash line
Eyeliner Application
Upper Lid Techniques
- Thin inner corner: Start with a thin line at the inner corner
- Gradually thicken: Make the line progressively thicker toward outer corner
- Wing it out: Create a wing that extends horizontally outward
- Connect to lower line: If using lower liner, connect at outer corner
Lower Lash Line Strategy
- Avoid full lining: Don't line the entire lower lash line
- Outer third only: Line only the outer third of lower lash line
- Nude waterline: Use nude or white liner on the waterline to open up eyes
- Smudge slightly: Soften lower liner with a small brush
Pro Technique
Create a "floating" eyeliner by leaving a small gap between your lash line and the liner on the outer corner. This creates the illusion of a lifted, more almond-shaped eye.
Mascara and Lash Techniques
Application Strategy
- Focus on outer lashes: Apply more coats to outer corner lashes
- Horizontal brush movement: Pull mascara brush outward, not just upward
- Bottom lashes: Apply mascara only to outer bottom lashes
- Lash curling: Curl lashes with emphasis on outer corners
False Lash Options
- Cat-eye style: Longer lashes on outer corner
- Individual lashes: Add a few individuals on outer corners
- Half lashes: Apply only on outer half of eye
- Winged styles: Lashes that flare outward
Eyebrow Shaping for Round Eyes
The right eyebrow shape can significantly enhance round eyes:
- Angled arch: Create a defined peak rather than rounded arch
- Extended tail: Let brow tail extend slightly beyond eye
- Horizontal emphasis: Keep brows wider rather than tall
- Clean under-brow: Keep area under brow well-groomed
Colors That Work Best
Recommended Color Families
- Neutrals: Browns, taupes, and beiges for everyday
- Cool tones: Grays and cool browns for definition
- Deep colors: Navy, deep purple, or charcoal for drama
- Metallics: Bronze and gold for special occasions
Colors to Use Sparingly
- Bright colors on the lid: Can emphasize roundness
- Too much shimmer: Can make eyes appear larger
- Light colors all over: Won't create needed definition
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Lining entire eye: Makes round eyes appear smaller
- Circular eyeshadow application: Emphasizes the round shape
- Too much lower lash mascara: Can drag eyes downward
- Rounded eyebrow shape: Doesn't balance the eye shape
- Applying dark colors too high: Can close off the eye area
Step-by-Step Day Look
- Apply eyeshadow primer
- Use neutral shade across lid
- Apply medium brown in outer crease, blending outward
- Line upper lash line, creating small wing
- Apply nude liner to waterline
- Curl lashes and apply mascara, focusing on outer corners
- Highlight inner corner with champagne shadow
Expert Tip
Remember, the goal isn't to change your eye shape completely, but to enhance and balance your natural beauty. Round eyes have a youthful, fresh appeal that's incredibly attractive.