What eyeshadow is best for deep-set eyes?

Light to mid shades on the lid, such as champagne, peach, rose gold or soft pink, in a satin or fine shimmer finish. Use a matte mid-tone above the crease and save dark shades for the outer corner only.

What eyeliner works on deep-set eyes?

A thin line along the upper lashes, a little thicker at the outer corner, or a short wing. A pencil in the upper waterline darkens the lash roots and leaves the lid free for light shadow.

Are my eyes deep-set or hooded?

Look in a mirror with your eyes open. If your brow bone sits forward and the lid sits back in shadow, your eyes are deep-set. On hooded eyes a fold of skin drops over the lid, and on deep-set eyes it doesn't.

Makeup for your features

Makeup for deep-set eyes

Deep-set eyes sit further back under a strong brow bone, so the lid falls in shadow and the crease is already deep. Dark shadow over the whole lid or heavy liner all around pushes the eye further back. Bring the lid forward with light, shimmery shades instead, with a soft mid-tone above the crease and the darkest colour only at the outer corner.

The pictures show our looks on a woman in her mid 40s with light skin and deep-set blue-grey eyes. Soft Glam puts champagne shimmer on the centre of the lid, Wedding Guest Makeup uses rose gold, and 1920s Makeup smokes charcoal all around the eye. Compare a bright lid with a dark one on your selfie.

Looks on deep-set eyes

11 looks

Eyeshadow and liner tips for deep-set eyes

Put a light shimmer or satin shade, such as champagne, rose gold or soft peach, over the whole moving lid. A pale, reflective lid catches light and looks closer.
Blend a soft matte mid-tone like taupe or warm brown just above your crease, with your eyes open, and stop well below the brow. A very dark crease shade makes the socket look deeper.
Keep the brow bone matte. Shimmer or a bright highlight there makes the bone look heavier over the eye.
Keep liner thin and close to the upper lashes, a little thicker at the outer corner. Skip black in the lower waterline and use a nude pencil there instead.
Brighten the inner corners with a little concealer or a pale shimmer, where deep-set eyes often look darkest.
Curl your lashes and focus the mascara on the upper ones, so they reach out from under the brow bone. Cat Eye Makeup adds full black lashes, longest at the outer corners, and has a picture on deep-set eyes.

Questions

What eyeshadow is best for deep-set eyes?: Light to mid shades on the lid, such as champagne, peach, rose gold or soft pink, in a satin or fine shimmer finish. Use a matte mid-tone above the crease and save dark shades for the outer corner only.
What eyeliner works on deep-set eyes?: A thin line along the upper lashes, a little thicker at the outer corner, or a short wing. A pencil in the upper waterline darkens the lash roots and leaves the lid free for light shadow.
Are my eyes deep-set or hooded?: Look in a mirror with your eyes open. If your brow bone sits forward and the lid sits back in shadow, your eyes are deep-set. On hooded eyes a fold of skin drops over the lid, and on deep-set eyes it doesn't.