Close Set Eyes: Your Complete Style Guide

October 29, 2024

Woman with close-set eyes, wearing a textured, wavy hairstyle and a statement cameo necklace, ideal for discussions on classic beauty and jewelry fashion.

There's something uniquely captivating about close-set eyes — they create an intense, focused gaze that can be absolutely magnetic. If you've ever wondered whether your eyes are close-set, or how to make the most of this distinctive feature, you're in the right place. Let's explore expert techniques to enhance your natural beauty, drawing inspiration from some of Hollywood's most striking faces.

Identifying Close-Set Eyes

Ryan Reynolds has close-set eyes. Mark Sagliocco/Getty Images

The easiest way to determine if you have close-set eyes is the "eye-width test": look straight into a mirror and imagine another eye fitting between your eyes. If the space appears narrower than one eye width, you have close-set eyes. This feature creates an intriguing facial focus and can be particularly striking when styled thoughtfully.

Close-set eyes often appear alongside other facial features - they can be deep-set, and frequently complement wider face shapes like a Pear. But here's the most important thing to remember: close-set eyes aren't a "flaw" to correct — they're a distinctive characteristic that adds to your unique beauty.

Iconic Beauties With Close-Set Eyes

The world of entertainment is full of stunning personalities who showcase how gorgeous close-set eyes can be:

High-fashion model with close-set eyes, wearing a sophisticated headscarf and textured jacket, ideal for fashion editorial content on unique eye shapes.

Kaia Gerber. Instagram/@kaiagerber

Elegant woman with close-set eyes, styled hair, and subtle makeup, wearing a formal outfit, suitable for discussions on beauty tips for close-set eyes.

Sarah Jessica Parker. Picture Alliance/MediaPunch

Close-up of a woman with wet hairstyle and close-set eyes, in a soft pink dress, showcasing a fresh, natural makeup look for beauty-focused content.

Olivia Palermo. Instagram/@oliviapalermo

Smiling woman with close-set eyes, styled in a wavy hairstyle, exuding a natural and radiant look, suitable for lifestyle and beauty websites.

Jennifer Aniston. Dan MacMedan/FilmMagic

Outdoor photo of a woman with close-set eyes, wearing a black swimsuit, exuding confidence, perfect for health, fitness, or beauty sites.

Jessica Lowndes. Instagram/@ essicalowndes

And let's not forget about men:

Man with close-set eyes, dressed in a formal suit, showing a charismatic look, ideal for websites discussing facial structure and attractiveness.

Ian Somerhalder. Getty Images/Jason Merritt

Athlete with close-set eyes holding a trophy, dressed in a formal suit and bow tie, ideal for sports or achievement-focused content.

Lionel Messi. Instagram/@leomessi

Makeup Artistry For Close-Set Eyes

Strategic makeup application can enhance your natural eye shape. Here are the key principles:

What Works:

Focus darker eyeshadows on the outer corners of your eyes:

Close-up of a woman with close-set eyes and layered blonde hairstyle, exuding a playful and stylish look, suitable for beauty and fashion content.

GTRES

Use light-reflecting products on the inner third of your eyelids:

Portrait of a woman with close-set eyes, elegantly styled with a slight smile, showcasing her glowing skin and detailed makeup, perfect for beauty and makeup blogs focusing on eye shapes.

Instagram/@kaiagerber

Create elongated wing effects with eyeliner

Close-up of a woman with close-set eyes, featuring bold blue eyeliner and soft makeup, showcasing a chic, sophisticated look ideal for makeup tutorials on eye shapes.

Instagram/@oliviapalermo

Apply mascara with emphasis on the outer lashes:

Woman with close-set eyes in a vibrant red dress, smiling and resting her hand on her cheek, perfect for content on beauty, fashion, and personal style.

Instagram/@sofiavergara

Place highlighter on the outer corner of the brow bone.

What to Avoid:

Heavy makeup application on the inner corners

Elegant woman with close-set eyes, adorned in a green headscarf with sparkling details, suitable for articles on modest fashion and makeup styles for close-set eyes.

In the Brazilian telenovella "O Clone" the main character, gorgeous Jade, made "fox eyes" her signature makeup. To elongate her eyes, she was adding extra liner towards the inner corner of her eyes. This technique is very risky because it moves eyes closer, so try to avoid it

Thick eyeliner all around the eye

Woman with close-set eyes and long wavy hair, wearing a white outfit with a unique cameo necklace, ideal for fashion and jewelry features.

Actually, you should be careful even with thin eyeliner if it's placed all around the eye. Evan Agostini/Invision/AP

Rounded or curved eyeliner shapes
Dark colors in the inner corner
Placing false lashes on the inner corners

Fashion model with close-set eyes, dressed in a glittering gold dress with a deep neckline, looking into the camera, perfect for high-fashion and beauty editorials.

The wash of one color is another tricky makeup technique. It almost never flatters close-set eyes. Remember: your beautiful eyes benefit from a color gradient, light shade in the inner corner and darker shades in the outer corner!

Selecting The Perfect Eyewear

Your choice of glasses or sunglasses can dramatically impact how your eyes appear. Consider these guidelines:

Look for frames that extend slightly beyond your eyes' outer corners

Stylish woman with close-set eyes, wearing a black mesh outfit, dark sunglasses, and sitting in a luxury car, ideal for luxury and fashion advertisements.

Dolce & Gabbana eyewear campaign starring a person with close-set eyes — Miley Cyrus. These sunglasses suit her face beautifully

Choose styles with a wider bridge to create more perceived space between the eyes

Portrait of a woman with close-set eyes, holding a designer shopping bag with oversized glasses, showcasing a trendy, urban style for fashion and retail content.

Instagram/@kaiagerber

Experiment with cat-eye or rectangular shapes

Stylish woman with close-set eyes in a red leather jacket, white sunglasses, and patterned clutch, embodying a bold street style, ideal for fashion blog use.

Instagram/@oliviapalermo

Consider clear or light-colored frames
Avoid frames that sit too close to your eyes or appear cramped

Model with close-set eyes, wearing a strapless dress with intricate silver embellishments, walking confidently, perfect for luxury and fashion runway features.

Instagram/@kaiagerber

When it comes to hairstyles, avoid severe center parts with straight hair, as they can emphasize eye placement.

A Word About Natural Beauty

Woman with close-set eyes, dressed in a floral embroidered dress and large decorative hat, laughing with an expressive look, suitable for lifestyle and editorial content.

Instagram/@sarahjessicaparker

Every face tells a story, and close-set eyes often create an alluring narrative of intensity and focus. Rather than trying to drastically alter your appearance, the key lies in understanding and enhancing your natural features. Many makeup artists note that close-set eyes can create particularly striking photographs and often command attention in the most flattering way.

Embracing Your Unique Gaze

Artistic black-and-white portrait of a woman with close-set eyes, framed by her hands and adorned with statement rings, perfect for fashion editorials and jewelry content.

Instagram/@oliviapalermo

Remember that these are guidelines, not rules. The most important aspect of any beauty routine is how it makes you feel. Experiment with different techniques while staying true to your personal style. From Jennifer Aniston to Kaia Gerber, many style icons have proven that close-set eyes can create an unforgettable, magnetic presence. With these tips in your beauty arsenal, you're ready to enhance your natural allure and let your distinctive gaze become your signature feature.