The 5 ideas run from a single light tap of highlighter in the inner corners to a sharp black wing that I’d call the hardest idea on the list, so effort is what separates them. Blending tolerance settles it.
If a fussy routine wears on you, grab the highlighter or the volumizing mascara, since both take under a minute; if you don’t mind a slower build, the brown crease shade or the winged liner rewards a small fluffy brush and some patience at the edges.
1. Light-colored Eyeshadow on the Lids
Sunken eyes cast shadow over the whole lid, so a light, shimmery shade there brings the surface forward. Shimmer catches light and reads as fullness, which is why I prefer it to a flat matte on this eye shape.
Pat it on with a fingertip rather than sweeping it with a brush; shimmer packs on better that way. Keep it on the lid only, and skip the brow bone if the area already looks hollow.
2. Darker Shade in the Crease
A brown shade in the crease gives the eye a defined fold, which is useful when the socket looks flat. Pair it with a lighter color on the lid, such as yellow against brown, so the contrast does the work.
Go easy with the brown.
Too much deepens the hollow instead of balancing it, so build the color up gradually with a small fluffy brush, a little at a time. Blend the edges until no line remains.
3. Highlighter to the Inner Corners
A dab of white shimmery highlighter in the inner corners brightens the spot where shadow tends to collect on sunken eyes. Of everything here, this is the fastest fix, and a good one if you dislike fussy routines.
Use a small brush or your ring finger, and place it right in the corner.
A little goes a long way. Heavy application can look chalky, so I’d start with one light tap per eye.
Makeup artist Rose-Marie Swift adds, “Don’t apply concealer across the whole under-eye area, which just makes it a different color rather than camouflaging the shadows.” For concealing: Resist the urge to use a light shade, since it’s likely to look gray, Barbara advises.
— The Cut
4. Volumizing Mascara on the Lashes
Volumizing mascara makes lashes look thicker, and fuller lashes pull attention toward the lash line and away from the hollow beneath the eye. For a no-skill step, it is hard to beat.
Wiggle the wand at the roots, then pull through to the tips.
Add a second coat while the first is still slightly wet for more density. Wait too long and clumps form, so comb through with a clean spoolie if they do.
5. Sharp Winged Eyeliner
A sharp black wing draws the eye outward and sideways, which gives sunken eyes a lifted, defined shape. Gold or neutral shimmer on the lid, as above, softens the contrast.
Winged liner is the hardest idea here, so I’d begin with a pencil or gel liner, which forgives wobble more than liquid.
Draw the wing toward the end of the brow, then connect it back to the lash line. Cotton swabs clean up mistakes fast.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to use makeup to cover sunken eyes?
For a first pass, put a pale shimmer across the lid, blend a soft brown into the crease, and tap a bit of white shimmer into the inner corners.
Shimmer reads as fullness, and a softly blended crease color keeps the socket from looking harsher than it is.
A concealer that matches your skin tone, or one shade lighter, placed in the inner corners and along the hollow under the eye, brightens the area and makes it look less recessed.
What are some good eye makeup techniques for deep set eyes?
Pair a light shimmer on the lid with a small amount of brown in the crease, so the contrast creates definition. Volumizing mascara adds lash presence, and a winged liner gives a lifted shape for anyone who likes that effect.
Go easy on the brown and layer it in thin passes; a heavy hand darkens the hollow and makes the eye look more sunken.
How do I make my eyes less deep set?
Makeup can’t change the bone structure, but it can make the eye look fuller.
A light shimmer on the lid brings the surface forward, and a soft brown crease shade, blended well, keeps the socket from looking deeper. Highlighter in the inner corners and thicker-looking lashes pull attention away from the hollow.
