Any lid structure can achieve any makeup look, of course, but experts do call on specific techniques to help enhance the various outlines, be it almond, hooded, monolid, or (in this case) downturned eyes. If you have a downturned eye shape, feel free to keep these tricks in your back pocket. Compton suggests making the liner wing more straight and thick. “When you look down, you should have a straight line, not a curved hook shape,” she says. This squares off the eye, which makes it appear more even. For even more lift, she recommends applying a dark-colored liner in your outer lower waterline. Or, you can flick the wing upward toward your brow (like a traditional cat-eye), but draw your line just before the corners start to slant downward rather than at the very end of your eye. “Then to amp it up, use a concealer one to two shades lighter than your skin, go right next to the liner, and it will lift it even more,” makeup artist Criss Scortezz says in a quick TikTok demonstration. Next, trace the same color below your lower lash line (which makes the eyes appear bigger and taller), and connect the outer edge with the color at your top lash line. “Add some dimension by applying a light, shimmery shade to the inner corner of your lid,” continues Compton. And finally: “Tightline your top and bottom lash line with a brown or black liner (for some fun, try a pretty pop of color with purple, blue, or burgundy liner).” If falsies aren’t your thing, you can also create faux lashes with liquid liner—a retro hack that looks divine on downturned eyes. “I like to press the tip of the liquid liner into the base of the lash root and use a light flicking motion to create a ’lash,’” Compton once told mbg. Focus on the outer lash line (top and bottom), and stick to four to five flicks.
