How to Identify Your Eye Shape: The Ultimate 2025 Guide

Identifying your eye shape is the architectural blueprint for your face. It's the fundamental first step to mastering your makeup routine, finding the perfect pair of glasses, and understanding your facial harmony. While every pair of eyes is beautiful and unique, understanding your specific structure unlocks the ability to enhance your natural features rather than fighting against them.

The Mirror Test: Prepare for Analysis

To get an accurate result, you need to strip away variables. Follow these preparation steps:

Lighting: Find a well-lit room, preferably with natural daylight facing you directly. Shadows can create false creases.
Mirror: Use a handheld mirror or stand close to a wall mirror.
State: Remove all eye makeup. Relax your face completely—no raising eyebrows, no smiling, and no squinting. Look directly forward into the mirror at eye level.

Step 1: The Crease Test (Monolid vs. Double Eyelid)

Look at your upper eyelid while keeping your eyes open normally.

Monolid Eyes

If your eyelid is smooth from the lash line to the brow bone with no visible fold or crease, you have Monolids. This shape is common in Asian descent and provides a beautiful, clean canvas for gradient eyeshadows.

Double Eyelid

If you see a distinct fold or crease in the skin on your upper eyelid, you have a double eyelid. Proceed to Step 2 to refine this further.

Step 2: The Visibility Test (Hooded vs. Non-Hooded)

This is where most people get confused. Look straight ahead with eyes open.

Hooded Eyes

Does a flap of skin from your brow bone droop down and cover your eyelid crease? If the skin folds over and hides the crease (or even touches your lash line), you have Hooded Eyes. This is extremely common and gives a sultry, mysterious look (think Blake Lively or Jennifer Lawrence).

Non-Hooded Eyes

If you can clearly see the eyelid space (the "mobile lid") between your lashes and your brow bone when your eyes are open, your eyes are not hooded.

Step 3: The White Space Test (Round vs. Almond)

Now, examine the iris (the colored part of your eye) in relation to your eyelids.

Round Eyes: Look straight. Can you see the whites of your eyes below or above your iris? If your iris does not touch the top or bottom eyelid margin, you have Round Eyes. This shape often appears larger and more innocent (like Katy Perry).
Almond Eyes: If your iris touches both the top and bottom eyelids (obscuring any white space there), and your eyes taper to a point at the tear duct and outer corner, you have Almond Eyes. This is traditionally considered the most "versatile" shape for makeup (like Beyoncé).

Step 4: The Tilt Test (Upturned vs. Downturned)

Imagine a straight horizontal line running through the center of your pupils.

Upturned Eyes: If the outer corners of your eyes lift higher than the inner corners (above the imaginary line), you have Upturned eyes. You have a natural "cat-eye" lift.
Downturned Eyes: If the outer corners dip lower than the inner corners, you have Downturned eyes. This shape has a vintage, sweet appeal (like Anne Hathaway) but can look sleepy if eyeliner is dragged down too far.

Wait, what about Deep Set vs. Protruding?

This refers to the depth of your eye in the socket, which is a separate dimension:

• Deep Set: Your eyes are set further back into the skull. Your brow bone appears more prominent.
• Protruding: Your eyes sit further forward from the socket. You have a lot of visible lid space and "bulge" slightly.