Round eyes, with their beautiful, open shape, are often seen as a sign of youth and innocence. However, if your goal is to create a more sophisticated, almond-shaped look, eyeliner is your most powerful tool. The right technique can dramatically change the perceived shape of your eyes, adding a touch of sultry elegance and elongating your gaze. This definitive guide will walk you through everything you need to know, from choosing the right products to mastering advanced techniques, to transform your round eyes into a captivating, elongated masterpiece.
Section 1: The Foundation – Product Selection and Eye Prep
Before you even pick up a brush, the key to flawless, long-lasting eyeliner is proper preparation and selecting the right products. Skipping these steps can lead to smudging, fading, and a less-than-perfect result.
Choosing Your Eyeliner Type: A Strategic Approach
Not all eyeliners are created equal, especially when your goal is to elongate round eyes. Each type has its own unique properties that can either help or hinder your quest for the perfect winged look.
- Liquid Eyeliner: This is the gold standard for creating sharp, precise wings. Its intense pigment and fine applicator make it perfect for drawing the thin, clean lines needed to elongate the eye. The downside is that it can be unforgiving for beginners, as mistakes are harder to correct.
- Pro Tip: Look for a liquid eyeliner with a felt-tip pen applicator. It offers the precision of a brush with the control of a pen, making it ideal for beginners.
- Gel Eyeliner: Gel eyeliner, typically applied with a separate angled or fine-point brush, offers a creamy, blendable formula that is easier to work with than liquid. It’s excellent for creating a smoky, smudged wing or building up a thicker line gradually.
- Pro Tip: Choose a small, firm angled brush for maximum control when creating the flick at the outer corner.
- Pencil Eyeliner: While not ideal for creating a super-sharp wing, a pencil eyeliner is a great tool for tightlining and creating a soft, smudged effect. Using a pencil on the upper waterline can make your lashes appear fuller and provide a base for your liquid or gel liner.
- Pro Tip: Opt for a creamy, waterproof pencil that glides on smoothly without tugging at the delicate skin.
Eye Prep: The Secret to Longevity
Don’t underestimate the power of a well-prepped canvas. Proper eye preparation ensures your eyeliner stays put all day and provides a smooth surface for application.
- Cleanse and Moisturize: Start with a clean, dry eyelid. Avoid applying heavy eye creams directly on the lid, as this can make the eyeliner smudge.
-
Prime Your Lids: An eyeshadow primer is a non-negotiable step. It creates a smooth, even surface, absorbs excess oil, and provides a tacky base for your eyeliner to adhere to. This prevents creasing and fading.
- Concrete Example: Apply a pea-sized amount of primer to your fingertip and gently pat it all over your eyelid, from the lash line to the brow bone. Allow it to set for a minute before proceeding.
- Set with Powder: If you have oily eyelids, a light dusting of translucent setting powder over your primer can be a game-changer. This locks everything in place and creates a completely matte surface.
Section 2: Mastering the Art of the Winged Liner for Round Eyes
This is where the magic happens. The goal is not just to draw a line, but to strategically place that line to create the illusion of an elongated, almond-shaped eye.
The Fundamental Principle: The Rule of the Outer Third
The most common mistake people with round eyes make is applying a thick, uniform line of eyeliner from the inner corner all the way to the outer corner. This can make the eye appear even rounder. The key is to focus the thickness and intensity on the outer third of the eye.
Step-by-Step Guide to the Elongating Wing
This technique focuses on creating a lifted, outward flick that pulls the eye shape horizontally.
- Start with a Thin Base Line: Begin by drawing a very thin line as close to your upper lash line as possible, starting from the center of your eye and moving outward. This is your anchor. Use a light hand and short, connected strokes.
- Concrete Example: Hold your liquid eyeliner pen like a pencil. Prop your elbow on a stable surface. Gently pull your eyelid taut with your free hand. Start drawing from the center, following the natural curve of your lash line.
- Create the Wing’s Angle: The angle of your wing is critical. Instead of following the upward curve of your lower lash line, aim for a flatter, more horizontal angle. Imagine a straight line extending from the outer corner of your eye towards the tail of your eyebrow.
- Concrete Example: Look straight into the mirror. Place a small dot with your eyeliner where you want the tip of your wing to end. This dot should be slightly past the outer corner of your eye and angled slightly upward, but not dramatically so.
- Draw the Bottom Line of the Wing: Starting from the dot you just created, draw a straight line back towards the outer corner of your eye, connecting it to the thin line you drew in step 1.
- Concrete Example: Hold your eyeliner pen and draw a straight, diagonal line from the tip of your wing back to the outer corner of your upper lash line. This creates the bottom edge of your wing.
- Connect the Top Line and Fill: Now, starting from the outer end of the thin line (the one from step 1), draw a straight line that connects to the tip of your wing. This creates the top edge. Then, simply fill in the triangle you’ve created.
- Concrete Example: You now have a small triangle at the outer corner of your eye. Use your eyeliner to fill it in completely, making sure there are no gaps.
- Refine and Sharpen: Use a cotton swab dipped in micellar water or a makeup remover pen to clean up any wobbly lines and sharpen the tip of your wing. This is the finishing touch that takes your eyeliner from good to professional.
- Concrete Example: Dip a pointed Q-tip in makeup remover. Hold it flat against your skin and carefully drag it along the bottom edge of your wing to create a razor-sharp line.
The Half-Wing Technique: A Minimalist Approach
For a more subtle, everyday look, the half-wing is a perfect choice. It focuses the attention and elongation on the outer half of the eye without being too dramatic.
- Application: Start your eyeliner from the center of your eyelid and extend it into a small, subtle wing. Keep the inner half of your eye bare or tightlined for a very natural look. This technique instantly lifts and elongates the eye without a heavy line.
Section 3: Advanced Techniques and Strategic Eyeliner Placement
Beyond the basic wing, there are several advanced techniques and strategic placements that can further enhance your eye shape.
Tightlining: The Secret to a Fuller Lash Line
Tightlining is the art of applying eyeliner directly to your upper waterline (the inner rim of your upper lid). This technique makes your lashes appear thicker and fuller without a visible line on your eyelid.
- How to do it: Use a waterproof, creamy black or brown pencil eyeliner. Gently lift your upper eyelid with one hand. With the other, carefully press the pencil into the waterline, wiggling it gently between the roots of your lashes.
-
Why it works for round eyes: Tightlining provides a subtle but powerful definition that deepens your gaze and makes the overall eye shape appear more elongated when paired with a winged liner.
The Smudged Wing: Softening the Look
A crisp, sharp wing is beautiful, but a soft, smudged wing can be equally effective and more forgiving.
- How to do it: Apply a gel or pencil eyeliner in a wing shape. Immediately after, use a small, stiff brush to smudge the line, pulling the pigment outward. Set it with a matching eyeshadow to lock it in place.
-
Why it works for round eyes: The soft, smoky effect of a smudged wing draws the eye outward, creating a softer, more diffused elongation.
The “Puppy Eye” Liner: What to Avoid
The “puppy eye” or downturned eyeliner trend, which involves a downward-sloping line, is popular in some aesthetics. However, for round eyes, this technique can make the eyes appear even rounder and more droopy. The goal for round eyes is always to lift and pull outward, not down.
Section 4: The Finishing Touches – Eyeliner’s Best Friends
Eyeliner alone is a powerful tool, but when combined with the right products, its transformative power is amplified.
Lash Strategy: The Key to Elongation
Your mascara and false lashes can either support or sabotage your eyeliner work.
- Mascara Application: Focus on applying mascara to the outer lashes. Wiggle the wand at the base of your outer lashes and sweep it outward towards the tail of your brow. This pulls the eye shape outward, complementing your eyeliner. Use a light hand on the inner lashes to avoid making the center of your eye appear more prominent.
-
False Lashes: If you use false lashes, choose a style that is longer and fuller at the outer corner. A “cat-eye” or “winged” lash style will enhance the elongated shape you’ve created with your liner. Avoid styles that are the same length all the way across, as this can make your eyes look rounder.
- Concrete Example: Look for a lash style with the description “wispy” or “flared.” A style where the individual lashes fan out and are longest at the outer edge is perfect.
The Power of Eyeshadow
Eyeshadow can be used as a supporting character to your eyeliner.
- Shadow Placement: Apply a medium, neutral eyeshadow shade in the crease of your eye and wing it out slightly. This creates a soft, smoky base that further elongates the eye. Use a darker shade along the outer third of your lash line to deepen the winged effect.
-
Highlighting: A touch of shimmer or a light, matte eyeshadow in the inner corner of your eye can brighten your gaze, but for an elongated look, it’s best to focus the light and shimmer on the inner corner and the brow bone, leaving the outer lid matte.
Conclusion
Mastering the art of applying eyeliner for round eyes is a journey of practice and precision. By understanding the principles of elongation and focusing your efforts on the outer third of your eye, you can dramatically alter your eye shape and create a captivating, sophisticated gaze. Choose your products wisely, prep your canvas meticulously, and remember that the key is to pull the eye shape horizontally, not vertically. With these techniques and a little patience, you will be able to consistently create flawless, elongated looks that are both beautiful and transformative.