Best Eyeliner Styles for Every Eye Shape: A Complete Guide to Flattering Your Eyes

Eyeliner is one of the most transformative tools in your makeup kit, but using the wrong style for your eye shape can make eyes look smaller, uneven, or even tired. The secret? Tailor your eyeliner technique to complement your unique eye shape. This guide breaks down exactly how to find your eye shape and apply eyeliner to enhance, lift, and define your eyes beautifully.

How to Figure Out Your Eye Shape (In 2 Minutes)

Before picking an eyeliner look, it’s important to know what eye shape you’re working with. Here’s a quick self-check:

• Monolid Eyes: No visible crease on the eyelid.
• Hooded Eyes: A fold of skin hides most of your lid when open.
• Almond Eyes: Oval shape with a visible crease, wider in the center.
• Round Eyes: Whites are visible around the iris when looking straight ahead.
• Upturned Eyes: Outer corners are higher than inner corners.
• Downturned Eyes: Outer corners are lower than inner corners.
• Close-set Eyes: Less space between the inner corners of the eyes.
• Wide-set Eyes: More space between the inner corners of the eyes.

Tip: Stand in front of a mirror with relaxed brows and a neutral expression to get the most accurate result.

The Best Eyeliner Styles for Every Eye Shape

1. Monolid Eyes: Create Depth with a Smudged Wing

Monolids benefit from smoky, gradient eyeliner styles that add dimension.

Best Style: Thick, smoked-out wing or soft cat-eye

Choose: Maybelline Lasting Drama Gel Eyeliner (Buy Here)

A creamy gel liner praised for its intense pigment and waterproof formula—perfect for building depth and drama on monolids.

How to Apply

• Start with a gel or pencil liner close to the lash line.
• Smudge it out and thicken the outer third for lift.
• Avoid harsh lines — go for soft blending.

2. Hooded Eyes: Lift and Open the Eyes with a Thin Wing

With a hooded lid, eyeliner can disappear into the crease.

Best Style: Thin, extended wing that follows the natural lash line

Choose: Swiss Beauty Waterproof Felt-Tip Eyeliner (Buy Here)

A fine felt-tip liquid that glides on smoothly and resists smudging—ideal for creating a crisp, lasting thin liner above the fold on hooded lids. Expert reviews highlight Stila Stay All Day or Lancôme for similar results.

How to Apply

• Use waterproof liquid liner.
• Keep the liner thin on the inner half and slightly thicken toward the outer corner.
• Extend the wing straight out, not up into the fold.

3. Almond Eyes: Most Styles Work — Try a Classic Cat-Eye

Almond eyes are balanced and symmetrical, making them ideal for most eyeliner looks.

Best Style: Cat-eye or flicked wing

Choose: Plum Eye-Swear-By Matte Liner (Buy Here)

A soft matte liquid liner that draws sleek cat-eyes effortlessly, enhancing the natural almond shape without overpowering.

How to Apply

• Line the upper lash line evenly.
• Extend a clean wing upward from the outer corner.
• Try a tightline for added lash definition.

4. Round Eyes: Add Length with a Soft Wing

Round eyes can be enhanced by elongating the shape.

Best Style: Extended wing with tapered inner corner

Choose: MARS Won’t Smudge Kajal (Buy Here)

A smudge-proof kajal pencil perfect for extending and elongating round eyes, offering a balance of bold color and blendability.

How to Apply

• Start thin at the inner corner and gradually thicken.
• Drag the liner outward to elongate.
• Avoid heavy liner on the lower lash line to maintain balance.

5. Upturned Eyes: Mirror the Natural Lift

This eye shape already has a lifted appearance — enhance it subtly.

Best Style: Balanced liner on top and bottom

Choose: Renee Midnight Kohl Pencil (Buy Here)

This classic kohl delivers soft definition along both upper and lower lash lines, complementing the natural lift of upturned eyes.

How to Apply

• Apply liner evenly along the upper and lower lash lines.
• Create a small flick that follows your natural upward tilt.
• Smudge the lower lash line slightly for softness.

6. Downturned Eyes: Create a Lift with a Winged Tip

Downturned eyes can appear lifted with the right eyeliner placement.

Best Style: Short wing that flips up

Choose: MARS Ink Black Smudge-Proof Liquid Eyeliner Pen (Buy Here)

How to Apply

• Keep the inner and middle liner thin.
• Gradually flick it upward just before the outer corner.
• Avoid dragging the line down past the natural corner.

7. Close-set Eyes: Add Space with Strategic Lining

Your goal is to visually “pull apart” the eyes.

Best Style: Outer-focused liner

Choose: Renee Pointy End Sketch Pen Eyeliner (Buy Here)

How to Apply

• Skip heavy inner corner lining.
• Begin liner just past the midpoint of your eye.
• Add a highlight to the inner corners to open the space.

8. Wide-set Eyes: Bring Focus Inward

This shape looks best with eyeliner that creates visual balance toward the center.

Best Style: Full-line eyeliner with inner corner detail

Choose: Elitty Beauty Matte Pop Eyeliner (Buy Here)

How to Apply

• Begin liner right from the tear duct.
• Keep a consistent line across the lash line.
• Use a soft pencil or gel for smooth blending.

Final Thoughts: The Right Liner Can Transform Your Eyes

The key to mastering eyeliner isn’t perfection — it’s personalization. By understanding your eye shape and choosing a style that complements it, you can highlight your features with confidence. Whether you’re going for a bold cat-eye or a soft flick, tailor the look to your eyes and you’ll never go wrong.