Eye shape guide
Round vs Almond Eyes: How to Tell + Best Makeup for Each
Round vs almond eyes comes down to two checks. Does white show around the iris, and does the outer corner curve or taper?
Both shapes are common, and plenty of people land between them. The chart below sorts the borderline cases.
What's the difference?
Round eyes are more circular, with more visible white around the iris and a curved outer corner. Almond eyes taper at the outer corner and usually show a subtle lift, with the lids covering the top and bottom edge of the iris.
Want a second opinion? The free eye shape detector checks your eye shape from one photo.
What round and almond eyes look like
Round eyes have a fuller outline and a visible curve of white, usually below the iris and sometimes above. Makeup for them aims at length. The round eyes guide goes deeper.
Almond eyes are longer than tall, with a tapered outer corner and lids that rest on the iris. They're forgiving. See the almond eyes guide.
Examples show selected features, not exact matches for every face.
Round vs almond eyes chart
| Check | Round eyes | Almond eyes |
|---|---|---|
| Outer corner | Rounded | Tapered, often slightly lifted |
| Iris | White visible below or above | Lids cover the top and bottom edge |
| Height to width | Taller for their width | Longer than tall |
| Crease | Often visible; lid proportions fuller | Often visible; lid proportions balanced |
| Best liner | Elongating wing | Almost any style |
| Best shadow | Depth at the outer corner, blended up and out | Flexible placement |
| Best lashes | Longest hairs at the outer corner | Natural or cat-eye |
A mirror test for round vs almond
- Take a straight-on photo or use a mirror at eye level, with your face relaxed.
- Zoom in on the iris. Do the lids touch its top and bottom edge, or does white show?
- Zoom out to the outer corner. Does the line taper to a point, or curve around?
- Score it. Two almond answers means almond, two round answers means round, and one of each puts you between the two.
Compare the generated shape examples above with this real portrait's tapered corners. Look straight ahead with relaxed brows when checking your own outline.
Can you have both?
Yes. Eye shape runs along a spectrum, and expression, lighting, and head tilt all move you along it. A round eye with a tapered outer corner is common, and so is an almond eye that shows white when you're surprised. Pick makeup for the feature you want to change.
If a fold of skin covers your lid, add hooded eyes to the mix. Hooding is separate from both outlines.
Makeup for round eyes
Stretch the eye sideways. Darker shadow at the outer corner blended up and out, liner that finishes in a wing, and no heavy ring all the way around. The eyeshadow for round eyes tutorial gives the exact placement.
Makeup for almond eyes
Enhance the balance you already have. Wings, smoky shadow, and graphic liner all work, so you can experiment freely. The almond eyes makeup page lists looks by mood.
Lash and brow differences
- Round eyes. Outer-corner lift in lashes and a gentle brow lift toward the tail echo the length you're building.
- Almond eyes. Both rounded and lifted lash styles work. Brows with a soft arch fit most outlines.
Frequently asked questions
Are almond eyes more attractive than round eyes?
No shape wins. Preferences vary by culture, era, and the viewer, and research on faces looks at proportions across the whole face. The most attractive eye shape page goes through it.
Can round eyes look almond-shaped with makeup?
In photos, yes. A wing, a V of outer-corner shadow, and outer-weighted lashes create a tapered look. The shape of your eyes doesn't change.
What eyeliner is best for each?
Round eyes do best with an elongating wing and a thin inner corner. Almond eyes can wear a classic wing, a tightline, smudged pencil, or graphic lines.
Do I have round or almond eyes?
Check the iris and the outer corner. White around the iris plus a curved corner means round. Lids on the iris plus a tapered corner means almond. The free eye shape detector reads it from a photo.
