How to Do Eye Makeup on Close Set Eyes

Close set eyes are pretty self-explanatory; they’re eyes with close placement that lack much space in the center. If you think you have close set eyes, adjusting your makeup routine accordingly can really help flatter them. Below, we’re sharing how to determine if you have close set eyes, and we’re also sharing the best tips for applying makeup on them. 

So, break out your eyeshadows, eyeliner and mascara and get ready to learn about how to do makeup for close set eyes. Spoiler alert: It’s much easier than you may think!

How to Determine If You Have Close Set Eyes

Determining your eye shape can be as big of a challenge as figuring out your face shape. Thankfully, there’s an easy trick for determining 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 — you have close set eyes. 

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. 

The point is, if you have close set eyes, you probably won’t want to do your makeup the same way as your friends with hooded eyes or wide set eyes. Here’s how to do makeup for close set eyes in six easy steps.

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 or a makeup sponge.

2. Create a Shadow Gradient

Applying a single eyeshadow won’t do close set eyes any favors. To make your eyes appear wider and create balance, 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 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 highlighter to the inner corner of your eyes. Choose a light shade of eyeliner, like L’Oréal Paris Infallible Grip Mechanical Gel Eyeliner in White, and use the pointed tip and built-in smudger to apply some eyeliner to the inner corner and blend. This step is so easy, and it will make your eyes look bigger and brighter.

4. Partially Line Your Eyes

For anyone with close set eyes, eyeliner is a total game changer. That said, lining your eyes like usual isn’t as flattering for your eye shape. Instead, focus the eyeliner on the outer half of your eyes on the upper and lower lash lines. Additionally, adding a cat eye in the outer corner can be particularly flattering on close set eyes because it helps to lengthen their shape outward.  

Whichever eyeliner style you choose, use L’Oréal Paris Infallible Grip Precision Felt Waterproof Eyeliner to get a seamless, smudge-free look. It comes in seven shades and includes a long-lasting formula.

5. Apply Mascara

No eye makeup look is complete without mascara. Brush a coat or two of a volumizing mascara, like L’Oréal Paris Telescopic Instant Lift Washable Mascara, onto your lashes, focusing more product on the outer corner to create a lifted, cat eye effect.

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 L’Oréal Paris Unbelieva-Brow Longwear Waterproof Brow Gel, to fill in your brows and extend the tails outfurther than their natural line. Your brows will look bold and beautiful, and your eyes will appear as if they’ve been extended, too.

Next: How to Remove Waterproof Mascara and Other Waterproof Makeup

Photo Credit: IG@/makeupbymelanie_, Photo Design: Hannah Packer