6 steps to analysing your eye shape so you’ll always achieve perfect eye makeup

Eye makeup can be quite daunting, especially when you’re a makeup newbie. But what if we tell you that you will never be afraid of messing up your eye makeup again if you just do this one method?

The technique in question: determine your eye shape first before you paint on your eyeshadows and liners. But when there are so many kinds of eye shapes out there, how can we accurately tell if we have round, almond or downturned eyes?

Lucky for you, Daily Vanity came across a six-step guide created by a kind netizen on RED (a.k.a. China’s Instagram) that anyone can easily use to find out what eye shape you have. The idea is that once you’ve accurately analysed your eye shape, you’d be able to ace your eye makeup by going for looks that flatter your eye shape.

To begin, sit in front of a mirror or do the analysis using a picture of you – if you opt for the latter, try to use an image where you’re looking directly into the camera without smiling or tilting your head.

Step 1: Does your upper eyelid cover your iris by half or more?

First and foremost, observe the range that your upper eyelid covers your iris. If the upper eyelid covers about half of the iris, it means that you have a thin, narrow eye shape (瞇缝眼).

If your upper eyelid doesn’t cover half of the iris, continue to the second step.

Step 2: What is the direction of the line connecting the inner corner and the outer corner of the eye?

Now, connect the inner and outer corners of your eye to form a straight line.

If the direction of the line from the inner to the outer corner of your eye slants downwards, it means that you have a downturned (or droopy) eye shape.

If you see a straight line instead, you have “willow leaf eyes” (柳葉眼) which is a cross between “phoenix eyes” and “peach blossom eyes”. If the tail of this line gradually points upwards, continue to the next step.

Step 3: Does your lower eyelid cover your iris?

The third step is very simple, just observe whether your lower eyelid is covering the iris.

If it does, it means you have an upturned eye shape. If it doesn’t, continue to the next step.

Step 4: Where does your upper eyelid cover your iris?

Next, you need to confirm the position of your upper eyelid covering the iris.

If the upper eyelid covers the iris near the inner corner of the eye, it means you have “phoenix eyes” (丹鳳眼) with double eyelids. If the upper eyelid covers the iris closer to the end of your eye, you sport a pair of “peach blossom eyes” (桃花眼).

Proceed to the next step if your upper eyelid is covering the iris right at the centre.

Step 5: Where is the highest point of your upper eyelid?

In this step, determine the highest point of your upper eyelid.

If the highest point of your upper lid is at the front of the eye, it means you have “phoenix eyes” (丹鳳眼) with monolids. If the highest point of the upper eyelid is at the centre of the eye, continue to the final step.

Step 6: What is the curvature of your lower eyelid?

Those who reach the last step will need to determine the curvature of your lower eyelid to know what eye shape you are.

If it is relatively flat, it means that you have “apricot eyes” (杏眼) which are also known as almond eyes. If the curvature of your lower lid is curved instead, it means that you have round eyes.