The big, innocent eyes of anime characters are very popular in various subcultures. Colored contact lenses are one way to get anime character-like eyes, but they can be expensive and always require the advice of an ophthalmologist to avoid eye damage. Instead, carefully applied makeup can give an anime-like effect. Once you master the technique, experiment with different products and styles to customize your look.
Step
Method 1 of 2: Enlarge Eyes with Makeup
Step 1. Use concealer and foundation
Use these beauty products to disguise dark circles under the eyes and to even out your skin tone before applying makeup. Choose a foundation that is lighter than your skin tone.
Step 2. Add eye primer
Cover the area around your eyes with an eye primer to keep your makeup in place and make the look last longer. Pat the primer all the way up until it reaches your brow, but not above the brow.
Step 3. Use eye shadow (eyeshadow)
Sweep the eyeshadow around your eyes. While you can use any color, using lighter, lighter colors is recommended to bring out the cute look of most female anime characters' eyes. If you decide to use a lighter shade of eyeshadow, blend it with a little brown on top to set it apart from the white eyeliner you'll be wearing later.
Step 4. Strengthen with eye shimmer powder, which is a powder that makes your eyes look shiny (optional)
For a shimmery look, add eye shimmer powder around the inner corners of your eyes. This step can be skipped if you don't like the flashy effect, or if you don't have this product.
Step 5. Draw a pale outline on the inside of the eye
Use a pale or white eyeliner to draw a V-shape along your tear gland area, at the inner corner. Extend this line slightly to the waterline of each eye, but no more than 1/3 of the length of the eyelid. A paler outline creates the illusion of a larger object and focusing on the inner corner of the eye makes your eyes appear closer to each other.
- The eyelid border or waterline is a pair of hairless areas on the eyelids that touch when you close your eyes.
- Several makeup brands make "Big Eye" eyeliner products specifically for this purpose.
- You can use an eyeliner pencil or liquid eyeliner.
Step 6. Create a longer outline with dark eyeliner
Apply black eyeliner or a very dark color to the lower and upper eyelid margins, to make your eyes more dramatic. Avoid areas that have been drawn with white eyeliner, or carefully outline the white areas. At the outer corner of the eye, extend the eyeliner past the lid margin by about 1 to 2 centimeters to make your eyes appear a little bigger. Optionally, create large wings in the corners of the eyes. Eyes with winged eyeliner look even bigger and more dramatic, but large wings can result in a heavy, half-closed eye look that doesn't fit the style of most anime.
- You can achieve a more natural effect by closing your eyes and using their natural crease to lengthen the line.
- Avoid eyeliner that gives a smoky or dark look, which can make your eyes appear smaller.
Step 7. Apply black mascara
Use mascara that thickens and lengthens to make your lashes look fuller and longer. In anime the outer lashes often appear thicker than the inner lashes, so focus on the outer lashes. There are two main approaches you can use for different effects. Choose between the two below, but don't forget to let your mascara dry before applying the next coat:
- Sweep several layers of mascara thickly along the lashes for a bold and dramatic effect. This option is not recommended if you have clumpy mascara.
- Apply one coat using three strokes of the mascara brush, on the outside, middle and inside of your lashes. Repeat as necessary until you get the desired effect.
Step 8. Put on false eyelashes (optional)
If you are not satisfied with how you look so far, accentuate your eyes with false eyelashes. Use half-length lashes or trim your full-length lashes to make them shorter before applying them. Put these lashes back a little more than usual to create "bigger" eyes along the lid margin or even just behind them. Optionally, add lower lashes as well.
- If you don't want to use false lashes, curling your lashes can produce a similar effect, though not as dramatic as false lashes.
- Anime characters usually have a more "split" eyelash look. Consider gluing sections of lashes 2 to 4 mm apart from each other, rather than in a continuous arrangement.
Method 2 of 2: Getting the Characteristics of Other Anime Characters
Step 1. Change your eye color with contact lenses
Large diameter contact lenses (circle lenses) can have a more dramatic effect than makeup, especially if they are an unnatural color. Always get your eyes checked at an ophthalmologist first and buy contact lenses from trusted sources. Lenses that are of poor quality or do not fit in the eye can cause serious eye damage.
- Especially for a dramatic effect, try "scleral contact lenses," which are lenses that cover almost the entire visible part of the eyeball.
- Always wear contact lenses before applying mascara.
Step 2. Put on a light-colored lipstick or lip gloss
Dark or bold lipstick will make your lips appear fuller and bigger, this effect will distract attention from your eyes. On many face types, lips and eyes that are both too highlighted can look exaggerated and chaotic. Consider using a light pink lipstick or clear lip gloss instead.
However, you can create an artificial heart shape on the upper lip, if you imitate an anime character with facial features like this
Step 3. Add pink blush
The innocent look on most of the female characters in anime can be enhanced by a little pink blush on the cheekbones. For a quirky anime look, sweep the blush from one cheekbone to another across the back of your nose.
Step 4. Replace the look with colored eyeliner
Eyeliner with light colors like purple, blue, green and others can give an even more unrealistic look. You might want to use an eyeliner like this instead of a black one if you're mimicking a cyberpunk-themed anime or some other out-of-the-way style.
Step 5. Draw false eyebrows
Thinner brows and higher arches seem more animated than natural brows, especially if they're heavily painted. Optionally, you can also use unusual colors.
Applying a glue stick over your natural brows will make them even to the skin and look more convincing
Step 6. Tighten your eye skin with a teaspoon
Place two scoops in the refrigerator or freezer for 20 to 30 minutes. Place the hollow of the spoon over your eyes until the spoon is warm. This step pulls the skin around the eyes tight, making your eyes appear temporarily larger.
Tips
For a more playful or contrived effect, extend the outline of the frame further around your eyes. Place the false eyelashes over the cheekbones, and use a pale eyeliner to extend your eyes all the way to them. You can even use black and white eyeliner to draw the pupils and sclera on closed eyelids, adding white sparkles to the false pupils
Warning
- Never use products that claim to enlarge your pupils. These products can cause serious damage.
- Always consult an ophthalmologist before purchasing over-the-counter contact lenses, or you may experience serious eye damage.
- Wash off the makeup long before going to bed to keep your eyes and skin healthy.
