Avoid These Makeup Mistakes If You Have 2 Different Eye Shapes

No one is born with a completely symmetrical face, but the difference can look more obvious because of uneven eyes. Those who have two different eye shapes understand the struggle of applying makeup all too well when they put on a full face and find the end result less than satisfactory. And while slight dissimilarities may not be that noticeable in person, uneven eye shapes are more obvious in pictures.

Not everyone can have surgery to balance out their eyes, nor should they have to. Identifying key makeup mistakes can go a long way toward evening out your proportions and preventing mishaps like smudging. And as a makeup artist of over 15 years who also has two differently shaped eyes and has come across countless clients who share the same issue, I've learned some tricks over the years to disguise unevenness. We may not be able to physically alter our peepers, but at the very least, we can create a makeup routine that's best for us.

Eyeliner goes a long way toward making eyes appear more even by creating an optical illusion. If one eye is smaller than the other, make a thicker line on the top lid of that eye while keeping the other one on the thinner side. I prefer to use a pencil or gel liner and smudge it slightly so that there's not a harsh line. The more defined the liner is, the easier it is to tell if one eye is wider than the other, which is why I avoid liquid liners. If you love a winged look, you can use one on the outer edges for a more precise look.

I know that tightlining the upper lids is a trick many use to define their eyes, but I suggest skipping it on uneven eyes, as doing so can highlight any differences in eye shape. Instead, focus on your lower lids, and smudge the eyeliner downward on the smaller eye. Just try not to use a shade that's too dark, as it can appear to close up your eyes. Instead, use a color that'll blend well with your skin tone.

False eyelashes can do wonders for doubling your eye size, and they can also help disguise unevenness. While we usually use the same pair of lashes on our eyes, you'll want two different ones of slightly varying lengths with the longest section of hairs being the middle. Make sure the hair thickness is the same, however, as you don't want your eyes to look completely inconsistent. To open up the smaller eye, carefully place the longer lash on that lid. You can even go a fraction of a hair higher than your lash line. Next, apply the shorter lash on the bigger eye. When you open your eyes, the falsies will appear the same length while creating symmetry in your face.

Don't forget to curl your lashes, even if they're falsies. I find that when applying them on uneven eyes, one side tends to droop more. When you're done, apply a coat of mascara to blend your real lashes with the false ones so you have a seamless finish.

Having a mismatched crease is one of the most common woes of people with uneven eyes. Usually, one sits higher than the other, giving the smaller eye a lot less lid space. If you fall into this category, don't despair — this can be easily corrected with some eyeshadow. After you prime your eyes, dust your lids with a neutral shade close to your skin tone to start with a clean palette. Using a light brown shade, go over the crease of the bigger eye with a small brush. That'll be your guide for the other eye, and you'll then draw a crease that matches it.

After both creases are drawn, apply a darker brown shade to the other corners in a V-shape. This will create a beautiful gradient while also lifting and opening your eyes. Just be sure to look straight ahead in the mirror as you blend, ensuring that both sides are even. The placement of the eyeshadow should be the same on each eye, so be sure to make any adjustments if needed.

You might be more focused on correcting uneven eyes with makeup, but don't forget that brows do a lot to balance out your features, too. If you have asymmetrical eyes, chances are that you have uneven brows as well. Having a neatly groomed set will take the focus away from uneven eyes, so make sure to fill them in with a brow powder or pencil. To get the most precise application, you can use eyebrow stencils, which give you a fail-proof guide. They come in all shapes and sizes, so finding one that suits your face should be a breeze.

An arch can go a long way toward opening up your eyes, and you can have one slightly higher than the other to create an illusion of symmetry, as long as the discrepancy isn't too big. If one eye is longer than the other, extend the brows a bit on the smaller side. It's okay if there are slight differences in your brow shape. After all, there's beauty in imperfections.

A lot of folks with monolids deal with a lack of symmetry, so applying makeup is a bit tricky. One eye may have a more prominent crease, while the other might not have one at all. This is where you have to fake one by drawing it with a dark shadow. The most important step you can't skip with hooded eyes is applying primer. Because the skin of your upper lid folds down, the oils in the surrounding area will smudge your makeup, no matter how waterproof it is. After applying primer, line your upper lids with a gel liner. While this is usually a later step, we need a guideline as to wear the eyeshadow should start on the lids. If you're missing a crease, you're going to need a thicker line, as it'll disappear when you open your eyes. But the good news is that you can easily rock a winged liner look on monolids.

Now that you've applied your liner, apply a dark shade in the crease of the eye with a double lid. On the other lid, you're going to draw a crease that matches the bigger eye. I suggest using a small, firm pointed brush for this, as you want to be as precise as possible. Blend the line softly with your finger or a fluffy brush, and fill the rest of your lids in with a slightly lighter color. Shimmery shades will look best here, as they'll have a soft, reflective finish.