Eye Shapes
Complete Guide
All Types, Chart & How to Find Yours
Eye shape is one of the most consequential variables in makeup artistry, eyewear selection, and facial proportion analysis. Professional makeup artists classify eyes into six primary shapes — almond, round, hooded, upturned, downturned, and monolid — and further refine each by placement descriptors: deep-set, prominent, wide-set, or close-set. The combination of shape and placement determines which liner techniques flatter, which lash styles open or elongate, and which glasses frames create the best proportion balance.
This guide covers all the major eye shape types with a side-by-side comparison chart, a four-step mirror test to identify your own shape, and targeted makeup and glasses advice for each type. For a deeper dive into almond eyes specifically — the most common shape and the baseline for most tutorials — see the dedicated almond eyes guide. This post is also the companion to the complete eye shapes reference which covers all 10 classifications with visual examples.
Types of Eye Shapes: The 6 Primary Categories
Makeup artists and ocular physiognomists organize all eye shapes into six primary categories based on four structural features: sclera visibility (whether white is visible above or below the iris), outer-corner tilt (upward, neutral, or downward), crease presence (visible fold vs. hidden or absent), and overall outline (elongated vs. circular). Every eye shape has at least one of these features that clearly distinguishes it from the others. Understanding which combination you have is the basis for any makeup or eyewear recommendation.
Almond Eyes
Most common globallyKey tell: Iris touches both lids when looking straight ahead — no sclera visible above or below. Outer corner sits fractionally higher than inner. Elongated oval outline wider at center.
Makeup note: The makeup-industry baseline — virtually every liner, shadow, and lash technique works without modification.
Round Eyes
Very commonKey tell: Sclera visible above or below the iris. Nearly equal height and width. Circular overall outline with corners at a relatively even height.
Makeup note: Liner focused on the outer two-thirds of the upper lash line elongates the eye and reduces the circular emphasis.
Hooded Eyes
Common (increases with age)Key tell: Brow-bone skin folds over and conceals the crease when the eye is open. Reduced visible lid space. The fold may cover all or part of the upper lid.
Makeup note: Apply eyeshadow above the crease line so colour remains visible when eyes are open — placing it on the lid alone hides it under the fold.
Upturned Eyes
Less commonKey tell: Outer corner sits clearly higher than the inner corner — a pronounced upward tilt rather than the subtle lift of almond eyes. The shape resembles a cat-eye outline.
Makeup note: Balance the upward tilt with lower lash-line liner on the outer half; heavy upper liner alone can over-intensify the lift.
Downturned Eyes
Less commonKey tell: Outer corner drops below the level of the inner corner. A gentle downward slope at the lateral canthus gives a soft, melancholic quality.
Makeup note: An upswept wing past the outer corner and inner-corner highlight add visible lift and counteract the downward angle.
Monolid Eyes
Common in East Asian ancestryKey tell: No visible crease or fold — the lid is smooth and flat from the lash line to the brow. The absence of a crease is the defining feature.
Makeup note: Shimmer concentrated at the center of the lid creates depth and dimension without a crease to anchor a traditional gradient.
Placement Modifiers
Eye Shape Chart: Side-by-Side Comparison
The four fastest distinguishing factors across all eye shapes are sclera visibility, corner tilt, crease visibility, and overall outline. This chart lets you cross-reference what you observe in the mirror against all six primary shapes simultaneously — use it alongside the four-step mirror test in the next section.
All Eye Shapes — Comparison Chart
| Shape | Sclera visible | Corner tilt | Crease | Key identifier |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Almond | No | Slight upward lift | Visible | Iris touches both lids; tapered elongated oval outline |
| Round | Yes (above or below) | Neutral / even | Visible | Circular outline; white visible around iris |
| Hooded | No | Varies | Hidden when open | Brow skin folds over crease; small visible lid area |
| Upturned | No | Pronounced upward | Visible | Outer corner clearly higher than inner corner |
| Downturned | No | Downward drop | Visible | Outer corner sits below inner; soft downward angle |
| Monolid | No | Varies | Absent | No visible crease or fold; completely flat lid |
The chart above covers the six primary shapes. The full eye shapes reference page extends this to 10 classifications, including subcategories like protruding eyes, close-set vs. wide-set variations, and placement modifiers in detail.
What Is My Eye Shape? The 4-Step Mirror Test
There are two reliable methods: the AI detector (fastest, most accurate for borderline cases) and the four-step mirror decision tree below. The AI eye shape detector maps 478 facial landmarks per photo and classifies your shape and placement in under 30 seconds. For the manual method, work through these steps in order — removing eye makeup first gives the most accurate result.
Sclera test — is white visible above or below the iris?
Look straight ahead in a well-lit mirror with a relaxed, neutral gaze. If you can see white (sclera) above or below your iris → round eyes. If the iris appears to touch both the upper and lower lid fully with no white showing above or below, move to step 2.
Outline check — trace the overall eye shape
Mentally trace the shape of your eye opening. Does it form an elongated oval that narrows to a gentle point at both the inner and outer corners? → almond. Is it more circular with corners at a similar height? → round (already identified by the sclera test). If the overall shape is almond-like but you noticed white above or below, lean toward round.
Corner tilt — compare inner and outer corner heights
Imagine a horizontal line running from your inner corner straight outward. Does your outer corner sit above that line? → upturned (if pronounced) or almond (if only slight). Does it sit below the line? → downturned. Does it fall roughly on the line? → almond or round (already identified).
Crease check — is the eyelid fold visible when eyes are open?
With both eyes fully open, look for the crease — the fold of skin running parallel to the upper lash line. Is it clearly visible? → not hooded or monolid. Does the crease disappear under the brow-bone skin when the eye is open? → hooded. Is there no crease or fold whatsoever — just a smooth flat lid from lash line to brow? → monolid.
“The sclera test is the single fastest way to separate almond from round — if white is visible above or below your iris when looking straight ahead, you have round eyes.”
Why the Mirror Test Can Be Misleading
Almond Eyes: The Most Common Shape & Why It Matters
Almond eyes are both the most common eye shape globally and the reference baseline for professional makeup artistry. The name comes from the nut: when open, an almond eye forms a gently elongated oval — wider at the center and tapering to soft points at both the inner and outer corners — with the outer corner sitting fractionally higher than the inner. The iris makes full contact with both the upper and lower lid when looking straight ahead, meaning no sclera is visible above or below.
Because the vast majority of makeup tutorials were developed around this shape, almond eyes are the most tutorial-compatible of all eye shapes. Winged liner, cut-crease eyeshadow, halo eyes, gradient lids — all of these techniques work on almond eyes without modification. When a tutorial says “wing the liner along the lash line” without specifying shape adaptations, it assumes the reader has almond eyes.
Celebrities with almond eyes include Beyoncé, Rihanna, Megan Fox, Priyanka Chopra, Ryan Gosling, and Henry Cavill. If your eyes look oval in the mirror and no sclera is visible above or below the iris, you almost certainly have almond eyes. Read the complete almond eyes guide for the full breakdown: identification criteria, makeup techniques, glasses recommendations, and whether almond eyes are actually rare.
Most Common Shape
Almond
Globally — the makeup industry baseline
Most Tutorial-Friendly
Almond
Every mainstream technique applies without modification
Rarest Classification
Upturned
As a primary classification, not secondary modifier
Makeup Tips for Each Eye Shape
Each eye shape has a small set of techniques that reliably flatter and a few that need modification. The core principle is the same for all shapes: use liner, shadow placement, and lash techniques to either extend, open, lift, or add depth to the eye based on what the natural shape needs. For face-wide contouring that considers your full facial structure alongside eye shape, see the face shape makeup contouring guide. For eyebrow shaping specifically, see best eyebrow shapes for every face shape.
Almond Eyes
Liner
Classic wing follows the natural corner tilt; virtually every liner style — winged, tight-lined, double-wing, smudged lower lash — flatters without adjustment.
Shadow
Any technique works: gradient lid, cut-crease, halo, bold colour wash. The balanced outline makes nothing look disproportionate.
Mascara / Lashes
Uniform application across all upper lashes; both volumizing and lengthening formulas work equally well.
Round Eyes
Liner
Focus liner on the outer two-thirds of the upper lash line to elongate; avoid heavy full inner-corner liner which increases the circular appearance.
Shadow
Dark outer-V combined with a lighter inner lid draws the eye wider and less circular; avoid shimmery centre-lid placement that adds height.
Mascara / Lashes
Focus extra mascara coats on outer lashes; curling before application maintains width rather than height.
Hooded Eyes
Liner
Apply above the crease line rather than the actual lash line — liner placed on the lash line disappears under the fold when eyes are open.
Shadow
Place colour higher than you think necessary so it stays visible; avoid heavy lower lid liner which reduces the already-limited visible area.
Mascara / Lashes
A heated lash curler before mascara is especially important — it lifts lashes away from the drooping lid and maximises visible length.
Upturned Eyes
Liner
Balance the pronounced upward tilt with lower lash-line liner on the outer half; heavy upper liner alone over-intensifies the lift and can look unbalanced.
Shadow
A darker inner-V combined with a lighter outer lid reduces the upward-angle effect; this is one of the few shapes where conventional outer-V dark shadow needs modifying.
Mascara / Lashes
Avoid dramatic upward curl on outer lashes; natural or slight curl preserves balance.
Downturned Eyes
Liner
An upswept wing angled upward past the outer corner counteracts the downward tilt; this is the technique that most visibly lifts downturned eyes.
Shadow
Light inner corner and a medium outer-V with a slightly upward shadow direction add visible lift; avoid shadow that follows and reinforces the downward angle.
Mascara / Lashes
Extra mascara on the inner-to-centre lashes combined with a strong curl on outer lashes creates the illusion of a more even corner height.
Monolid Eyes
Liner
Graphic liner applied above the lash line creates definition where a crease cannot; tight-lining the upper waterline adds depth without taking lid space.
Shadow
Shimmer or highlight at the centre of the lid creates perceived depth; gradient techniques still work but must be placed differently — blend above the eye rather than in a crease.
Mascara / Lashes
False lashes or a strongly curling mascara is especially impactful on monolid eyes because the lash line is the primary structural feature.
Best Glasses Frames for Each Eye Shape
Frame selection primarily responds to face shape, but eye shape influences which specific proportions and styles work best within that constraint. The key interaction is between the frame's upper edge and the eyebrow position — frames that echo the brow arch or provide intentional contrast to it tend to look more cohesive than those that cut across it awkwardly. For the complete frame guide organized by face shape, see best glasses for every face shape.
Almond Eyes
The widest range of any eye shape. Cat-eye, aviator, wayfarer, oval, and rectangular frames all suit almond eyes. The slight upward tilt of the outer corner pairs especially well with cat-eye frames — the frame echoes the natural angle.
Round Eyes
Angular or rectangular frames create contrast that elongates and balances the circular outline. Avoid perfectly round frames that reinforce the circularity rather than balancing it.
Hooded Eyes
Lightweight rimless or semi-rimless frames avoid adding visual weight to the lid area. Frames with a higher bridge or a top-heavy profile can create the appearance of lift.
Upturned Eyes
Frames with a straight or slightly downswept upper edge balance the pronounced upward tilt. Avoid cat-eye frames which amplify the upward angle and can look unbalanced.
Downturned Eyes
Cat-eye frames with upswept outer corners visually counteract the downward outer corner — one of the clearest and most consistent recommendations across eye shapes and frames.
Monolid Eyes
Bold statement frames — thick acetate, distinctive shapes, saturated colours — work especially well since the smooth, flat lid area allows the frame itself to function as the focal point.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the different types of eye shapes?
What is my eye shape?
What eye shape do I have?
What shape are hawks eyes?
Why is my eye shape oval?
What is the most common eye shape?
Confirm Your Eye Shape Using AI
The mirror test works reliably for most people, but borderline cases — almond-round or hooded-almond — are genuinely difficult to call by sight alone. The AI eye shape detector uses Google MediaPipe to map 478 facial landmarks per photo, then computes your eye aspect ratio, outer-corner tilt angle, and iris-to-lid contact — the same three criteria that define each shape in the chart above. It classifies your primary eye shape and placement (deep-set/prominent, wide-set/close-set) in under 30 seconds, free, with no account required, and includes personalized makeup and glasses recommendations based on your result.
For the Most Accurate AI Result
- Use even, front-facing light — side shadows alter the apparent tilt of the outer corner and can misclassify almond as upturned or downturned
- Remove heavy eye makeup if possible — dense liner along the full lash line shifts the apparent eye outline and can distort aspect ratio calculations
- Look straight ahead with a relaxed, neutral gaze — looking up or down changes the iris-to-lid contact reading, which is the primary almond vs. round criterion
- Eyes should be fully open, not squinting — even slight squinting reduces visible lid area and affects both the crease detection and the aspect ratio calculation
Further Reading
Naeem Ullah
Founder, Face Shape Detector • AI & Facial Proportion Researcher
Founder of faceshapedetector.app · 4+ years in facial proportion research · 200,000+ monthly readers
Naeem Ullah is the founder of Face Shape Detector and has spent over four years researching how facial landmark geometry translates into practical styling decisions. His work draws on training principles from professional hairstyling, optician certification programs, and academic literature on facial symmetry and proportion. He built the face detection system at the core of this tool and personally writes and reviews every styling guide published on this site. His guides are read by over 200,000 users monthly across 140+ countries.