The eyeliner shape guide matches liner techniques and styles to your eye shape. What flatters an almond eye can overwhelm a round eye or disappear on a hooded lid. Select your eye shape below for personalized shape recommendations, application techniques, and formula guidance.
Select Your Eye Shape
How to Identify Your Eye Shape
Identifying your eye shape is the foundation for flattering eyeliner application. Look straight into a mirror with a neutral expression to assess your eye shape.
Almond Eyes
Almond eyes are the most versatile shape — wider in the center and tapered at both corners, with visible irises that don't touch the top or bottom lid. This shape suits almost any eyeliner style from subtle tightlining to dramatic smoky looks.
Round Eyes
Round eyes appear large and circular, with a visible white (sclera) both above and below the iris. Techniques that elongate — like winged liner extended past the outer corner — complement round eyes best.
Hooded Eyes
Hooded eyes have extra skin over the crease that partially covers the mobile lid when eyes are open. Liner applied on the lid can disappear under the hood. The key technique is tightlining and drawing liner with eyes open rather than closed.
Monolid Eyes
Monolid eyes have little to no visible crease. Common in East Asian ancestry. Dramatic graphic liner and strong winged styles work beautifully on monolids — there's no crease interruption, so bold designs show clearly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this eyeliner guide free?
Yes, completely free with no signup required.
What eyeliner works best for hooded eyes?
Tightlining (lining the waterline) works best for hooded eyes — it creates definition without losing the line when eyes are open. Pencil or gel liner works better than liquid since the formula stays visible. Avoid thick upper lid liner which disappears under the hood.
Can monolid eyes wear a cat eye?
Yes. For monolid eyes, start the wing higher and extend it more dramatically since there's no natural crease to create depth. The wing should flick upward at a steeper angle. Tight lining and bottom lash line work well for monolids.
What eyeliner formula is best for beginners?
Pencil liner is most forgiving for beginners — it's easy to smudge and correct. Once comfortable, gel liner in a pot with an angled brush gives more control than felt-tip liquid. Felt-tip liquid liner is the fastest but least forgiving of mistakes.
How do I make small eyes look bigger with eyeliner?
Use nude or white eyeliner on the waterline to make eyes appear larger. Tight line the upper waterline in black to add depth without closing the eye. Avoid thick dark liner all the way around as it shrinks eyes — instead focus dark liner on the outer corners only.