3 Hacks That Make Your Eyes Look Smaller From Our Makeup Artist

Many people use makeup hacks to make their eyes appear bigger, but some may actually want to do the opposite. Perhaps they have too-big peepers and want to balance out their features, or maybe a slick feline look is what they're going for that day. Even after working as a makeup artist for over 15 years, I'm still amazed by what makeup can do to dramatically alter your eyes with just a change in how you apply eyeliner and shadow. Just the simple act of switching to a different set of falsies can give them a completely new shape.

You probably know by now how to make your eyes look larger by blending the contour of your crease up and focusing a lot of mascara on the middle of your lashes. A smudged eyeliner also does wonders for opening up your eyes. When trying to make them appear smaller, however, you need to do the opposite. With just a few tweaks to your makeup routine, you'll soon have the option of rocking sultry-looking eyes whenever you want.

When attempting to make your eyes appear smaller, it's important to prep the area first. After applying moisturizer and primer, you'll need to cover up any dark circles, as erasing the shadows around your eyes will make the area look more compact. The traditional method of applying concealer is to swipe it underneath your eyes and blend it downward. However, if you want smaller eyes, you'll have to bring the product up to the very edge of your lower lash line, which will instantly close them up.

Be sure to conceal the inner corners of your eyes and lids as well to eliminate any shadows. After the area is sufficiently evened out, apply a dusting of setting powder. I would advise using products with a matte or velvet finish so that there's no highlight that will draw out your eyes and make them look bigger. Just be sure not to find a formula that's too thick or it will look cakey and settle into any fine lines you may have.

After applying concealer, if you want to make your eyes appear even smaller, you'll need a dark pencil liner. You can use any color you want but you'll get the best results with black. If you're fair-skinned and think black looks too harsh on you, stick with dark brown, gray, or even an eggplant color. Starting with your lower lid, fill in your waterline with the liner, making sure to start all the way from your inner corners. When you get to the end, don't extend the liner. Instead, connect it to your top waterline, which you'll fill in as well.

Tightlining your eyes is sufficient to create a shrinking effect, but if you want to line your upper lids, you can do so with the dark pencil or a liquid liner. Starting from the inner corner, draw a thin line as close to your lash line as you can get. You can make a slight wing by flicking the liner upward at the outer corners, which will elongate your eyes and create a sleek effect.

No makeup look is complete without eyeshadow and using two or three shades is key in opening up your eyes. You're probably used to using a light color on the lids and a darker one in the crease, but to make your eyes look smaller, you'll need to reverse the highlight and shadow. After you've lined your eyes, apply a matte dark shade of brown or gray onto your lids and stop just shy of the crease. I like to use a stiff brush for this part and gently tap the product onto the lids to prevent fallout. If you're feeling daring, you can attempt to pull off the perfectly controlled black eyeshadow look, which will definitely draw your eyes in even more.

Once the shadow is on your eyes, refrain from blending it up toward your crease. Using a small fluffy brush, you can sweep your lids to even out the shadow but keep it contained within the area. Next, add a light color close to your skin tone over your crease and along your brow bone. Finish off your makeup with a couple of coats of mascara, focusing on the outer corners of the eyes. If you want to add some to your lower lid, use a light hand, as too much will open them up. Gently separate any clumps with a lash comb, and as you admire the finished result, you'll be in awe of how much smaller your eyes look with some visual tricks.