Some of us love the almond-shaped eye look, while others prefer a bigger, rounder appearance. If you’re in the latter camp, here’s how to make your eyes look larger with just makeup—no need for anything else!
Eyes are often said to be the “windows to the soul,” and big, expressive eyes can say a lot about a person. If you’re someone who doesn’t naturally have big, round eyes, don’t worry—there are makeup techniques that can help make your eyes look brighter, more open, and just a bit more “wow.” The trick here is creating an optical illusion. Whatever you do with your makeup alters how people perceive your face in three dimensions, which is important to keep in mind.
When you look at a face in a photo (2D), it’s different from seeing it in person (3D). So, the goal is to use makeup to play with that perception and make your eyes appear bigger. The techniques I’m sharing aren’t new trends—these are long-established methods used by makeup artists to create big-eye looks that are always in style. These tricks work every time, and they won’t go out of fashion. Plus, if you really want to make your eyes pop, make sure your outfit doesn’t steal the spotlight.
Tricks to Fake Big Eyes with Makeup
If you’re ready to try out some foolproof makeup tricks to make your eyes look bigger, here’s a list that will work wonders:
1. Define Your Eyebrows
Eyebrows are the frame of your face. Messy or unruly brows can distract from your eyes, so keep them well-groomed and shaped. Filling them in (if needed) will help keep the focus on your eyes, which are just below the brows. A clean brow look naturally draws attention to your eyes and enhances their appearance.
2. Highlight Your Lids
Highlighting your eyelids isn’t a new trend—it’s a retro trick that’s still popular for a reason. Adding a touch of highlighter or shimmer to your lids catches the light, creating the illusion of more open eyes. On days when you want minimal makeup, a swipe of highlighter on your lids and a little cheek stain can make you look wide awake and add a fresh, bright-eyed effect.
3. Curl Your Lashes and Add Mascara
Simply curling your lashes and applying mascara instantly opens up your eyes. It defines the edges of your eyes and adds volume to your lashes, bringing attention to your eyes’ natural shape and making them appear more open.
4. Go for the Right False Lashes
False lashes can do wonders, but be careful when choosing them. Cat-eye lashes, which flare out at the ends, can elongate the eyes and create more of an almond shape. To make your eyes look bigger, go for lashes that are full and even across, rather than longer at the outer edges. This helps maintain the round, wide-eyed illusion.
5. Use White Eyeliner
A simple but effective trick: apply white eyeliner to your lower waterline. This brightens up the eyes by making the white part of your eye (the sclera) appear larger, giving the illusion of bigger eyes. It’s an easy and quick way to fake big eyes!
6. Define the Lower Lash Line
Adding definition to your lower lash line can also help create a more open-eyed look. Instead of drawing a harsh black line all the way across, try using a softer, smoked-out technique with a bit of mascara on the lower lashes. Avoid heavy black eyeliner on the bottom, as it can actually make your eyes appear smaller. The key is to keep it light and subtle, just enough to draw attention downward and make your eyes look wider.
Putting It All Together
When you combine all of these techniques, you’ll create a stunning wide-eyed look. It’s a great way to fake big, round eyes with makeup alone. If you think that doing all these steps feels like too much, don’t worry—pick one or two and still see an eye-opening result. Each technique helps create the illusion of bigger eyes, so play around and see what works best for you!
I hope this guide helps you learn how to fake big eyes, and gives you some fun ways to experiment with your makeup!
