LOOKSMETER · GUIDE
Eye shapes, explained
Almond, round, monolid, hooded, downturned, upturned - the six types, how to actually tell which is yours, and the makeup techniques written specifically for each.
The six eye shapes
Every eye reduces to some mix of three things: how much lid shows, which way the outer corner tilts, and whether there's a visible crease. These six labels are the common vocabulary, not hard categories - most people read as a blend.
Almond
The balanced default: lid shows evenly, corners roughly level, a visible crease. Most makeup techniques are written for this shape first, then adapted.
Round
More white space visible above and below the iris, giving an open, wide-eyed look. Corners read level rather than sharply angled either way.
Monolid
No visible crease line - the lid is smooth from lash line to brow bone. Common in East Asian eye shapes; makeup here uses soft gradients instead of a hard crease line.
Hooded
A crease that's present but hidden under a fold of skin when eyes are open, so little to no lid shows. Product applied right at the lash line tends to vanish - blending higher, above the fold, is the usual fix.
Downturned
The outer corner sits lower than the inner corner, giving a gentle downward slope. A wing that angles slightly upward at the tail counteracts this rather than following the natural line.
Upturned
The outer corner sits higher than the inner corner - often called 'cat eyes' or 'fox eyes' informally. Reads as alert; liner usually just follows the natural upward line rather than needing to correct it.
Why eye shape isn't the same question as 'hunter eyes'
Eye shape and the hunter-eyes framing measure different things and get confused constantly. Shape is about the lid's outline - is it round or almond, hooded or monolid. Hunter eyes is a specific combination of five structural markers (positive canthal tilt, deep-set orbitals, low lid exposure, an almond ratio, and tight brow-to-eye distance) that together produce a particular alert look, regardless of which shape label the eye would otherwise get.
An almond-shaped eye can be a strong hunter-eye read or a weak one depending on those other four markers. The two guides answer different questions - this one is about naming your shape for makeup and grooming purposes; the hunter eyes guide is about the specific structural combination and what genuinely does or doesn't change it.
Frequently asked
How do I find out my eye shape?
Look straight into a mirror with a neutral expression. Check three things: how much eyelid shows above the lash line (a lot = round or upturned, very little = hooded or monolid, none at all = monolid), whether the outer corner sits higher or lower than the inner corner (higher = upturned, lower = downturned), and whether there's a visible crease line above the lid (hooded eyes have one that's mostly hidden; monolids have none). Most people are a mix rather than a pure type.
Is one eye shape more attractive than another?
No - this is a classification, not a ranking, the same way body shape or hair type isn't. What actually correlates with how eyes read in photos is separate structural stuff (canthal tilt, orbital depth, lid exposure) covered in the hunter eyes and canthal tilt guides - eye shape itself doesn't rank above or below.
What's the difference between eye shape and canthal tilt?
Eye shape (almond, round, monolid, hooded...) is about the lid's outline and how much of it shows - it's the classification makeup artists use. Canthal tilt is specifically the angle between the inner and outer corners, and it's one factor that can push a shape toward reading as upturned or downturned. They overlap but aren't the same axis - see the canthal tilt guide for that specific measurement.
Can makeup actually change how my eye shape reads?
Yes, more than almost any other feature on the face - eyeliner placement, shadow blending, and lash strategy are specifically taught per eye shape because they work. Hooded eyes benefit from shadow blended above the visible crease so it doesn't disappear when eyes are open; monolids often do well with a soft gradient rather than a hard crease line; downturned eyes lift with liner that winds slightly upward at the outer corner rather than following the natural downward slope.
Does this tool recommend surgery?
No. Eye shape is presented here as a classification to understand and work with via makeup and grooming, never as a defect needing a surgical fix. Any procedure question belongs with a qualified surgeon, not a website.
Keep reading
This page is general information about facial aesthetics terminology, not medical or cosmetic advice. Scores from our tools are AI-generated estimates for entertainment and self-reflection.