When used in an entire ring around the eye, black liner can exaggerate the smaller shape, but the trick is to use a contrasting white or pearl-coloured liner in the lower waterline and keep the smoky eyeliner to the lower lashes instead. This opens up the lower half of the eye, making it look bigger and brighter.
Adding mascara to your lower lashes will also open up the eyes for a wide, doe-eyed look: For a softer look, you can use brown mascara, or even colored mascara if you like. Adding a little eyeliner to the outer corner of your lower lash line will also help to elongate your eyes.
Lining Your Waterline With Black Eyeliner
Instead, make your eyes look wide awake with a white or nude-colored liner like the Maybelline New York TattooStudio White Eyeliner. A light color opens up your eyes, making them look larger. You can certainly use black eyeliner, just avoid lining the inner rims of your eyes.
The biggest cause of this shrinkage is the lack of firmness around the eyes that occurs naturally as we age. The three key areas around the eyes affected by ageing are the undereye area, eyelids and the corners of the eye.
If you have small eyes, avoid using dark eye shadows, as they will make the eyelids appear heavy and closed. Instead, opt for light, shimmery shades like gold and beige that will catch the light and help open the eyes.
"Keep the liner to the top lid for a more lifted, youthful effect." If you really, really want to go after your bottom lash line, Stiles recommends using a lighter color there than you're using on the top. "This will still give you definition, but feels softer and more flattering," she adds.
If you're wearing eyeliner, eyeshadow, and mascara on the upper lashes, then it's best to define your lower lashes too, so as to balance that heavy eye makeup look. Also, mascara on the lower lashes works when you want to give your lower lids a slightly highlighted effect.
A purple mascara will not only emphasise the whites of your eyes but make them appear larger. This deep shade will give a subtle contrast of light and dark and add definition to your lashes.
The way to apply eyeliner to make the eyes look bigger is by drawing a very thin line, black or brown, just above your lashes. Once you reach the last third of the lashes, taper the eyeliner outwards in a straight line and draw back in to create a flick.
On the other hand, XOVain suggests that, "[m]ascara on the bottom eyelashes can help open up your eyes and make them look bigger by providing definition that's more subtle than hard eyeliner." It's all down to personal preference.
Very large or long false lashes can overwhelm your eyes and make them look smaller. Instead, opt for shorter lengths, and try to avoid lashes longer than 12 mm. A good curl can prevent your lashes from casting a shadow over your eyes. Always look for lashes with a “C” curl or higher!
Lash technician: To make the eye appear bigger, short lengths and medium lengths of a B Curl should be used. Ensure medium lengths are used in the middle outer eye to give a big round eye appearance.
DON'T line your whole eye.
Drawing your eyeliner from outside corner all of the way to the inside corner of your eye, on top and bottom, is just a whole lotta eyeliner. It's harsh and unflattering, and makes your eyes appear smaller. It also makes it look like you wear a studded black belt over your Billabong t-shirt.
The results show that facial attractiveness is directly affected by eyebrows and indirectly by characteristics of eyes, and large eyes tend to be more attractive.
Wearing eyeliner along your lower lashes is a surefire way to make your eyes look smaller, but if you want them to appear even smaller, there's a slight adjustment you can make. Rather than pressing the eyeliner into your lashes, apply it slightly above, along your waterline.
Your eyes don't get bigger in middle age. They only grow during childhood and your teens. But the shape of your eyes may change. If you get nearsightedness, or myopia, they may get longer.
"Contour eyes with a medium to medium deep shadow to the crease and outer crease of eyes," suggests the pro. "Contouring gives eyes depth and definition, making them look bigger, bolder, and perfectly shaped. Use one color for the entire crease and then go darker with a shade on top to the outer corner."
"Eyes may look smaller as we age because the lids get heavier and sag and [bags may appear]," says Laura. "Plus, the loss of color and fullness in the lashes reduces the contrast that makes eyes look alert."
“Mascara always last after eye shadow and liner as you want to keep it clean with no particles in it,” advises Vogue beauty and health director Sigourney Cantelo. This also helps to achieve a more precise result with your eyeliner: “It's easier to see where you're drawing if you have nude lashes,” she says.