Close Set Eyes: Best Makeup & Looks in 2024 + FAQ (2024)

It is human nature to like the idea of closeness.

Close to our family, having close relationships, working close to home, and close to our goals. But when it comes to our eyes, some of us wish they were the one thing that was further apart.

Close-set eyes make our facial features look narrow and more petite. Often, people with close-set eyes seek makeup tricks and techniques to pull their eyes wider and make their features appear more symmetrical.

Close-Set Eyes Meaning

Close-set eyes are an eye position rather than a specific eye shape. When you have close-set eyes, it means the bridge between your nose is narrow, and the space between your eyes is smaller than the width of your eye.

Close-set eyes can be round eyes, hooded eyes, or any of the six eye shapes:

1. Round
2. Almond
3. Hooded
4. Monolids
5. Upturned
6. Downturned

Close-set eyes may also be deep-set or protruding-set eyes if they appear further back or forward in the eye socket.

If you want to know the spirituality of the close-set eyes meaning, refer to Chinese face reading.

In ancient Chinese face reading, a person with close-set eyes is:

• Content with routine
• Traditional
• Focused
• Disciplined
• Confident

Models & Celebrities with Close-Set Eyes

You might not be able to tell at first glance, but there are lots of models and celebrities with close-set eyes. The reason it’s hard to tell is that models and celebrities have makeup artists who are experienced with close-set eye makeup.

Here are a few celebrities and models with close-set eyes:

• Jennifer Aniston
• Miley Cyrus
• Rachel Bilson
• Gisele Bündchen
• Sarah Jessica Parker

Makeup For Close Set-Eyes

When you shop for makeup for close-set eyes, you don’t require anything too special or fancy. The makeup you need for close-set eyes is similar to deep-set eyes or eyes that you want to appear bigger. You might already have suitable cosmetics for close-set eyes in your makeup bag.

All you need are the five staple cosmetics for close-set-eyes:

1. Eyeliner
2. Lashes or mascara
3. Eyeshadow
4. Concealer
5. Brow pencil

Here are our top five choices for each makeup category for close-set eyes.

Eyeliner

Close-set eyes require an eyeliner that offers precision and is easy to apply. NYX Professional Makeup Epic Ink Liner in Black is a felt-tip eyeliner for close-set eyes that makes drawing wings and eyeliner techniques a breeze.

The fine-tip point offers the precision you need to tight-line your inner corners and create ultra-fine lines for when you want to go lighter on your eye makeup. Its highly-pigmented color is waterproof and smudge-proof for long-lasting wear.

The key product features include:

• Felt-tip eyeliner
• Liquid formula
• Fine point
• Matte finish
• Waterproof

Lashes

When it comes to false eyelashes, you want to choose sets with more volume and length towards the outer corner to elongate the appearance of close-set eyes. You can also opt for corner or accent lashes applied solely to your corner to draw out your eyes.

Luxillia Magnetic Eyelashes and Eyeliner Kit come with ten pairs of false eyelashes in different volumes and lengths. There are five pairs of accent lashes to accentuate your outer corner and five pairs with full coverage. It is perfect for people with close-set eyes to experiment with various lash styles for their eye shape. They’re magnetic eyelashes with two magnetic eyeliners in black and brown, offering up to 24 hours of wear time.

The key product features include:

• 10 pairs of magnetic eyelashes
• Five accent lashes
• Five full coverage lashes
• Two magnetic eyeliners
• Stainless steel applicator tool
• Waterproof formula

Eyeshadow

Eyeshadow for close-set eyes can be fun to do because you’re encouraged to play with shimmer! Look for an eyeshadow palette with a mix of light shimmery shades for your inner eye and darker tones for your outer v.

Lamora Exposed Nudes Eyeshadow Palette features 16 vibrant nude shades in matte and shimmer colors. The light colors Champagne and Pearly highlight your inner tear ducts, and the deeper shades of Espresso and Cameo define your outer v. The powder-cream eyeshadows are highly pigmented and rich colors for dramatic results.

The key product features include:

• 16 matte and shimmer colors
• Powder-cream formula
• Long-lasting
• Water-proof
• Cruelty-free

Concealer

With close-set eyes, it is essential to offset any darkness in the inner corners with concealer. If your eyes appear dark or sunken under the eyes and inner corners, it makes close-set eyes look even closer together.

For a full-coverage concealer, use Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Eraser. It is a highly-pigmented multi-use concealer to correct, contour, and cover up any darkness. The sheer cream formula offers crease-resistant coverage, so you don’t have to worry about your makeup looking flaky. It is infused with Haloxyl, an anti-aging peptide proven to treat dark circles and discoloration.

The key product features include:

• 12-hour wear
• Moisturizing formula
• Crease-resistant coverage
• Infused with Haloxyl
• Multi-use concealer and contour stick

Brow Pencil

Your brows are a vital piece of the puzzle when mastering makeup tips for close-set eyes. Tapered, arched eyebrows create the illusion of more wide-set eyes.

Allrose Eyebrow Stamp is an eyebrow stamp and stencil set for creating perfectly defined eyebrows for close-set eyes. Its creamy, buildable formula glides on effortlessly for thicker, fuller eyebrows. Each stamp set comes with ten eyebrow stencils for the perfect brow shape.

The key product features include:

• Matte finish
• Stamp and stencil set
• Waterproof
• Long-lasting
• Easy to use

Top Close-Set Eyes Makeup Tips

The top close-set eye makeup tips are similar to tips for deep-set or hooded eyes to open up the eye shape.

The chart below provides a brief overview of the dos and don’ts of eye makeup for close-set eyes.

We’ve gathered our top ten best makeup tips for close-set eyes.

Taper Your Eyebrows

Your eyebrows are an essential part of eye makeup for close-set eyes. Tapered, arched-shaped eyebrows draw your eyes outward.

Draw your eyebrows from the bottom up. Start thick and draw an arch shape to where your eyebrow naturally grows down. Angle downwards and draw the brow into a slender tip. Tapered and arched eyebrow shapes help to create symmetry in your face. Use a micro-blading brow pencil to create fuller, thicker brows.

Highlight Inner Corners

The number one tip for close-set eyes is to choose a light eyeshadow color to highlight the inner corners around your tear ducts. Light gold, silver, or white eyeshadow reflects light and helps to open up your eyes.

Spread Your Wings

Winged eyeliner is one of the most popular eyeliner styles for all eye shapes. With close-set eyes, you want to really spread your wings.

Tight-line your upper lid with eyeliner to the cemeteries of your eye. Make the line thicker towards your outer v and extend the wing outward and up. Drawing a long, thin wing will help elongate your eye shape and create the illusion of wide-set eyes.

Define Your Outer V

Your outer v is the outer corner of your upper eyelid at the lash line up to the crease. Adding a dark-colored eyeshadow like amber brown or charcoal defines the v shape and draws out your eyes.

If you’re using bright colors like red, purple, or blue, choose a dark shade of that color and lighten the color as you move inwards on your upper eyelid.

Blow Smoke

Smokey eyes are glamorous and sophisticated and add a sultry appeal to your aesthetics. Blowing a little smoke on close-set eyes can be a great trick to draw them out.

Avoid the classic all-over smokey eye makeup and apply charcoal greys and blue outwards in your outer v. You will want to make sure you add a white or silver accent to your inner corner to avoid pulling your eyes closer.

Classic Corners

If you have close-set eyes, don’t feel like you always need to pile on the eyeshadow and winged eyeliner. If you want to keep it simple, go for classic corner eyeliner.

Accentuating the outer corners of your eyes without an elongated wing still draws your eyes apart. Brush mascara outwards and thicker to your outer v for tasteful close eyes makeup without too much drama.

Lengthen Those Lashes

Don’t underestimate the power of lengthening your lashes. Sweeping your mascara outwards is a great trick to create the illusion of wider eyes.

You will want to apply only a little mascara to your inner corners, then gradually lengthen your lashes towards your outer v corners. Accent half-lash extensions work amazing when you’re short on time.

Bronzer is Your Best Friend

Dark eyeshadow can be intimidating if you’re not used to it; it’s easy to go from subtle smokey eyes to a set of black eyes when we go too heavy on the darker colors.

Rather than risk looking like you’ve been in a boxing match, you can use your face bronzer to create the same warmth in your outer eyes. Use a fluffy bronzer brush to sweep the bronzer from your crease outward. It’s a beautiful technique to use when you want natural-looking makeup.

Cat Eye Corners

Here kitty, kitty. Cat eye corners make close-set eyes purr. It’s like winged eyeliner, but the wing extends down to the lower lashes, tracing the outer corner.

Emphasizing the outer corners helps separate close-set eyes. You can blend in extra dark eyeshadow to make the corners stand out.

Shimmery Shutters

One perk about having close-set eyes is that you’re encouraged to play with shimmery eyeshadow. Makeup artists recommend adding light, shimmery shades on the inner half of your eyes to open up the space between them.

Rose gold, champagne, and metallic silver are all fun eyeshadow colors that compliment close-set eyes.

Glasses for Close-Set Eyes Considerations

Optometrists and stylists agree that certain features of glasses compliment close-set eyes.

The three features of glasses for close-set eyes are:

1. Thin brim
2. Square corners
3. Slender frame

The chart below describes the features of the best glasses for close-set eyes.

Hairstyles that Compliment Close-Set Eyes

According to the experts at Paul Mitchell, the best hairstyle for close-set eyes is one that directs the hair back away from the temples. It helps create the illusion of wider facial features.

Some hairstyles that create width for close-set eyes include:

• Loose waves with layers
• Center part with highlights
• Side-swept and textured volume
• Shoulder-length curls

Compliment Your Close-Set Eyes

Everyone likes the idea of closeness. Although close-set eyes may not be ideal, it is easy and fun to compliment your close-set eyes with flattering hairstyles and eye makeup techniques. The possibilities for eye makeup are endless for beautiful close-set eyes!