How to make your eyes look bigger
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Mon Aug 01, 2011 10:28 am

I wear glasses, I have -6.50 on both sides to my glasses tend to make my eyes look smaller. On top of that, I've got rather deep-set eyes with not too much space between the eyelid and the brow area. My glasses are red (something like tomato red), so not exactly the most neutral kind Wink

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I read putting white eyeliner on the waterline helps to make the eyes look bigger. I'm still looking for other suggestions that could work with my style of glasses, though.

free skin care · Mon Aug 01, 2011 1:03 pm

People who wear glasses because they are near-sighted ( I am assuming you are near-sighted because you feel your eyes look smaller than you would like) should pay more attention to their eyes when they are applying eye make up for their eyes appear smaller behind the glasses.

1-Groom your eyebrows. The same way a picture frame affects the way the picture looks, your eyebrows affect the way your eyes look. The simple act of removing stray hairs can make your eyes more noticeable. However, don't make the mistake of assuming that the thinner your eyebrows, the bigger your eyes will look.

2-Reduce any puffiness in your eyes. Swelling in the skin on and around your eyes can make them look smaller

3-Don't apply eyeliner all the way around your eyes. Doing so (e.g. the smoky eye look) will make your eyes look smaller. That's not necessarily a bad thing... small eyes can look mysterious and dramatic, but presumably, that's not the effect that you want. When you apply eyeliner on your lower lashes, do it just below the lash line, not inside the rim, and don't let the line come all the way to the inner corner of your eye. You might also want to line your wetline with white or other light color. It makes eyes look noticeably bigger, but overdoing it will look silly!

4-Extend eyeliner past the outer corners of your eyes. The line should move upwards a little as well, mimicking a very long eyelash. This will make your eyes look wider, but is a tricky technique. If the eyeliner isn't applied symmetrically, it can make your eyes look lopsided!

5-Add white eyeshadow or eyeliner to the inner corner of your eyes. This brings more light into them and gives the effect of them being larger. Make sure it is not an incredibly harsh white.

Note the style and color of your frames—the more colorful, funky, and thick they are, the less makeup you will want to use.

Mon Aug 01, 2011 1:23 pm

Thank you for your reply!

(Yes, I am near sighted, alas!)

I will definitely try all things you said. The grooming the brows part certainly is true. I prefer to let an esthetician do this rather than trying it at home, but once every few weeks should do the trick.

I bought a white eyeliner, not really white but rather something like cream. I hope it helps!

I do use a lot of makeup, but all in natural colors, so it doesn't seem that way. I prefer mineral eyeshadow: the colors seem softer and more natural to me.

free skin care · Mon Aug 01, 2011 5:42 pm

I started using dark brown eye shadow as eyeliner amongst my upper lashes. Sometimes I use a thin line of black liquid covered by dark shadow. On the lid I use flesh toned shadow because my lids are deep set. This makes them more noticeable behind my thick glasses and looks kind of retro Sixties, which I happen to like.

free skin care · Tue Aug 02, 2011 12:09 pm

Have you worn, or thought about wearing contacts? I'm very nearsighted as well, and have worn contacts for 44 years. Of course I have my glasses to use when I need to. I also hate the way it makes my eyes look so small when I have my glasses on, not to mention my vision is better with contacts.

I've also considered the Lasik surgery many times over the years, but couldn't work up enough courage. That plus the cost of it.

Wed Aug 03, 2011 7:47 am

Good ideas! I also am near-sighted although wear contacts most days. I have wondered about eye makeup on days when I might wear my classes. Thanks for sharing!

free skin care · Wed Aug 03, 2011 9:56 am

Gayle wrote:

I've also considered the Lasik surgery many times over the years, but couldn't work up enough courage. That plus the cost of it.

If your doctor says you have early symptoms of cataracts the insurance company will pay for lens replacement. They use variable focus lenses now, I believe.

Wed Aug 03, 2011 1:57 pm

Gayle: yes, I do have contacts, but unfortunately I also have very dry eyes (to the extend that I already have what they call "neovascularization" at the edges of my cornea = already some damage due to dryness) so I cannot wear them all the time. For the same reason I am not eligible for surgery (and also because your eyes have to be stable for at least 2 years, which mine are not).

So I make the best of it using my glasses Wink

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free skin care · Wed Aug 03, 2011 2:29 pm

papagena wrote:

Gayle: yes, I do have contacts, but unfortunately I also have very dry eyes .

Try Restasis and/or have your tear ducts sealed.

free skin care · Wed Aug 03, 2011 2:30 pm

SoftSkin wrote:

Gayle wrote:

I've also considered the Lasik surgery many times over the years, but couldn't work up enough courage. That plus the cost of it.

If your doctor says you have early symptoms of cataracts the insurance company will pay for lens replacement. They use variable focus lenses now, I believe.

Funny you should mention that! I was in for my yearly check last year & was complaining about glasses & contacts & how sick I was of wearing them. He said, "well wait a year or so & your cataracts will be ready to remove & your vision should be great afterwards, with maybe only reading glasses necessary'. I had no idea I even HAD cataracts! But I was never so glad to hear something in my life! I can't wait!

free skin care · Wed Aug 03, 2011 2:34 pm

papagena wrote:

Gayle: yes, I do have contacts, but unfortunately I also have very dry eyes (to the extend that I already have what they call "neovascularization" at the edges of my cornea = already some damage due to dryness) so I cannot wear them all the time. For the same reason I am not eligible for surgery (and also because your eyes have to be stable for at least 2 years, which mine are not).

So I make the best of it using my glasses Wink

.

I totally sympathize with you on the dry eyes. I've had that sooo much over the years. Mine is worse some times than others. I tried the Restasis for about 6 months & it didn't work for me. Crying or Very sad

Wed Aug 03, 2011 2:39 pm

Restasis? I will have to use Google for that Wink

.

I heard about sealing the tear ducts (I'm an MD myself), but it seems rather drastic to me, it's not really widely performed here in Belgium (so no experienced ophtalmologists) and from what I read on the Internet many people experience problems with having ... too many tears afterwards - so that's going from one end of the spectrum to the other.

I quite like my glasses though - would prefer to be able to go without them, but they suit my face and colour type. I just need to make the most of my makeup.

Thu Aug 04, 2011 8:38 am

Wearing eye glasses can looks your eyes bigger. But i remember in a fashion program, they said that the eyeliner also helps even though you've put only a moderate line, they said it's enough.

free skin care · Thu Aug 04, 2011 11:17 am

White eyeliner on upper lid corners help....I have big eyes, but I still apply it... Smile

free skin care · Thu Aug 04, 2011 1:52 pm

papagena wrote:

I heard about sealing the tear ducts (I'm an MD myself), but it seems rather drastic to me, it's not really widely performed here in Belgium (so no experienced ophtalmologists) and from what I read on the Internet many people experience problems with having ... too many tears afterwards - so that's going from one end of the spectrum to the other.

Not drastic at all. Just do the bottom ducts. If you do both upper and lower you will probably get overflow. There are three ways of doing it and doctors usually start with the easiest first -- silicone plugs. They usually fall out eventually but you will know if doing the lowers is enough for you. If so, then the ducts are lasered shut. It can be done while you sit in the chair like when you have your eyes examined. Final way is permanent -- surgically sealed and it's out patient surgery.

We pay over $100 for one month of Restasis. The US seems to subsidize everyone else in the world, who gets pharmaceuticals cheaper. That's why I order from Canada for at least a third less.

Thu Aug 04, 2011 1:56 pm

Interesting to know! I sent a mail to the company to ask if they sell Restasis in Belgium. If not, I might try ordering it online. Next time I visit my ophtalmologist I'll ask about the silicone plugs. I think a lot of procedures that are well known in the US sound kind of exotic over here Wink

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free skin care · Fri Aug 05, 2011 3:04 pm

Hi! I myself love to apply eyeliner on the water line. Although i prefer black I feel like it brings out my eye colour more.

I am a contact wearer and my optomatrist told me that I should stop applying eyeliner on my water line or it will dry out my eyes.

If you have a problem with your eyes being dry maybe you should try not applying the eyeliner on the waterline and see if it makes a difference.

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