Makeup Techniques for Monolid Eyes

Monolid eyes are characterized by a flat lid surface and an absence of a natural crease. This structure offers a smooth, expansive canvas that requires specific placement techniques to create the illusion of depth. Rather than focusing on a crease, successful application relies on managing the lash line and the outer contour of the eye.

A clean, matte shadow application followed by precise liner application will provide the necessary structure. Follow this sequence to build dimension without compromising the clarity of the eye shape.

1. Apply a matte base. Select a neutral, matte eyeshadow that is one shade darker than your skin tone. Use a soft blending brush to distribute the product across the entire lid. Ensure the shadow extends slightly above the lash line, fading out toward the brow bone to establish a baseline for depth.
2. Define the outer edge. Take a deeper matte shade and focus the pigment on the outer third of the lid. Blend this shade toward the center of the eye in a V-shape. This mimics the shadow a crease would naturally provide.
3. Tightline the upper lash. Use a gel pencil or liquid liner to fill in the gaps between your lashes. A tightline ensures the lash base looks thick without occupying valuable lid space. Keep the line thin and close to the roots.
4. Create a linear wing. For a winged look, draw a line that extends from the outer corner at a slight upward angle. Ensure the line remains visible when the eye is open by looking straight into a mirror as you draw. Connect this tail back to the middle of the lash line.
5. Curling the lashes. Use an eyelash curler to lift the base of the lashes. Place the curler as close to the root as possible and pump three times. Follow with a waterproof mascara to hold the curl in place throughout the day.

Depth on a monolid is found by controlling the shadow on the outer third of the lid.