Here's How To Figure Out What Your Eye Shape Is

When it comes to makeup, most people choose the most flattering looks and colors for them based on a range of factors. What skin tone and type a person has, what shape their face is, and what color eyes they have can all affect what makeup suits them the most. But one of the most important considerations for makeup looks tends to be forgotten about completely: eye shape.

A person's eye shape can affect the way that eyeshadow and eyeliner look on them. It can also determine which false lashes are the most flattering on their eyes, and which styles should be avoided (via House of Lashes). Your eye shape can even affect your vision and lead to conditions such as drooping eyelids, or Ptosis (via Vision Center). So, it's important to identify your eye shape, both from a health perspective and an aesthetic one.

Optometrists recognize 10 different variations of eye shape: almond eyes, round eyes, monolid eyes, protruding eyes, downturned eyes, upturned eyes, close-set eyes, wide-set eyes, deep-set eyes, and hooded eyes. You can determine which category you fall into in a few easy steps!

Out of the 10 eye shapes, there are six that will affect your makeup choices: almond, round, monolid, hooded, downturned, and upturned. There's a simple process of elimination you can use to identify which of these shapes you have, beginning with standing in front of a mirror and looking for a visible crease (via Ipsy). If you have no crease at all on top of your eyelid, you're likely to have monolid eyes. Comparatively, if you have a crease and it covers most of your lid, you're likely to have hooded eyes. Another way to test for hooded eyes is if the crease is not visible when you open your eyes (via Mademoiselle Lash).

Next, test for upturned or downturned eyes by holding a straight line (such as the edge of a piece of paper or a ruler) across the middle of your eye. If the outer corner of your eyes lifts above the line, you have upturned eyes, and downturned eyes are signified by the outer corners falling below the line. If your outer corners don't pull up or downwards, you're likely to have either almond or round eyes. To determine which, look straight at the mirror. If you can see the whites of your eyes above or below your iris, you have round eyes. If you can't see the whites, your eyes are almond. Now that you've figured out the shape of your eyes, you can experiment with expert-recommended false lash styles and makeup looks that suit you the most.

Almond eyes are the most common eye shape, and the most versatile. According to Nikki Joy Cosmetics, smoky eyeshadow that defines the cat-like form of the eye is one of the most flattering looks. For hooded eyes, the brand advises applying eyeshadow vertically, which can reduce the appearance of puffy hoods. Round eyes benefit from brown pencil eyeliner in the inner and outer corners of the eyes, combined with bold colors in the middle of the eye. If you have monolid eyes, darker eyeshadows in the outer corner can be blended upwards to create a faux crease. You can flatter downturned eyes with brown eyeshadow in the outer corners, blended outwards to form a cat eye. For upturned eyes, eyeliner can be applied close to the lash line and then smudged into the lashes, which will accentuate the eyes without shrinking them. Regardless of shape, those with smaller eyes should avoid eyeliner, particularly on the inner lash line.

Mademoiselle Lash explains that monolid, round, and downturned eye shapes tend to suit natural-looking false lashes, as dense versions can overwhelm them. Almond and upturned eyes, on the other hand, look the best with lashes that have winged ends. For hooded eyes, the brand recommends lashes that are long in the center and narrow towards the ends. All eye shapes are beautiful, and identifying yours is the first step in finding the makeup looks that pair flawlessly with your features.