Makeup for Downturned Eyes: Placement Guide

For downturned eyes, makeup should focus on lifting the outer corners. Strategic placement of contour, blush, brows, and highlight creates a balanced, elevated look.

Makeup for Downturned Eyes: Placement Guide

How to Lift Downturned Eyes with Eye Makeup

  • Eyeliner: Draw winged liner upward and outward from the outer corner, angling toward the tail of your brow. Avoid extending liner downward or past the outer corner.
  • Eyeshadow: Apply your darkest shadow to the upper outer third of your eyelid. Blend shadow up and out, not down. On the lower lash line, use a light shade and stop before the very outer corner to prevent dragging the eye shape down.

Perfect Placement for Contour & Highlight

  • Contour: Lightly contour the outer edges of your upper eyelid crease to enhance lift. For the face, sweep contour just above the natural hollow of your cheekbones and angle it upward toward the top of your ear.
  • Highlight: Apply highlight to the inner corners of your eyes, the center of your lids, and just beneath the brow arch. For extra lift, dab a bit above the highest point of your cheekbones and blend up toward the temples.

Where to Place Blush for a Lifted Effect

Apply blush on the upper part of your cheeks, slightly above the apples, and blend it diagonally up toward your temples. This draws the eye upward and counteracts the downward angle of your eyes.

Brow Shaping Tips for Downturned Eyes

  • Shape your brows with a gentle arch that peaks above the outer third of your eye. Avoid drooping or rounded tails. Extend the tail of your brow slightly out and up, not down, to frame your eyes with lift.

Choosing Colors and Knowing Your Own Features

Opt for neutral-to-cool tones to create natural-looking shadows and highlight. Unsure of your own undertone or exact eye shape? Try scanning your face with Makeup Check AI to get personalized recommendations based on your features, so you never have to guess.

Not sure of your eye shape? Makeup Check AI detects it from a selfie and shows you where liner and shadow flatter you most.

Try Makeup Check AI

FAQ

How do I apply eyeliner to lift downturned eyes?

Angle your winged liner up and out from the outer corner. Avoid dragging the line down. Keep the lower lash line light and stop before the outer edge.

Where should I place blush for downturned eyes?

Apply blush above the apples of your cheeks and blend upward toward your temples to help visually lift your features.

How should I shape my brows for downturned eyes?

Create a gentle arch that peaks above your outer iris, and extend the tail out and slightly up, not down, for a lifted look.

Can Makeup Check AI help me find my exact eye shape?

Yes, you can scan your face with Makeup Check AI to detect your precise eye shape, face shape, and undertone for tailored makeup advice.

What eyeshadow technique works best for downturned eyes?

Concentrate darker shadow on the upper outer third of your eyelid, blending up and out, and keep lower lash shadow light, stopping before the outer corner.