Downturned eyes, like those of Sydney Sweeney, Laura Harrier, and Anne Hathaway, can make finding the right makeup looks challenging.
This unique eye shape might create an impression of tiredness or sadness. Professional makeup artists taught me that success comes from using the right techniques to boost and lift. The makeup world now offers fresh approaches like the trending “puppy eyeliner” technique on TikTok that works perfectly for our eye shape.
My years as a makeup enthusiast taught me the importance of proper placement and product selection. The right techniques can change your look completely. These include focusing lengthening mascara on the top lashes and adding lighter eyeshadow colors to the inner corner. Let’s dive into 15 stunning makeup looks that will help you showcase your downturned eyes beautifully.
Halo Eye Technique
I learned the halo eye technique from Belle Hathaway, and it works great with downturned eyes. This method makes your eyes look lifted and rounded by placing shadows in specific spots.
Understanding Halo Placement
The halo eye creates a spotlight effect on your lid. You put a bright, shimmery shade in the middle and darker shadows on both corners. This works really well to balance and lift downturned eyes. The technique works well on almond and round eyes, but you’ll need to adjust it for hooded eyes.
Product Selection
You’ll need these items to create a perfect halo eye:
- Eyeshadow primer that makes your makeup last
- Matte eyeshadow palette with dark and medium colors
- Shimmery or metallic eyeshadow for the center
- Three brushes: flat shader, small blending, and smudge brush
Application Steps
Belle’s signature method starts with primer to help shadows stick. Put dark matte shadow on the outer and inner thirds of your lid, leaving the middle empty. Take your blending brush and work a medium shade through the crease using windshield-wiper motions.
The center placement makes this look special. Pack your shimmer shade right in the middle of your lid and blend it up to the crease. With downturned eyes, try to make the shimmer slightly rounded to create a lifting effect.
Shimmer shadows often create fallout, so Belle suggests doing your eye makeup before foundation. Your shimmer will look even better if you slightly dampen your brush before applying the center shade.
Modern Glossy Lid Look
I found that glossy lid looks create a stunning effect for downturned eyes while working with Belle Hathaway in her Los Angeles studio. This technique adds dimension and lift if you apply it the right way.
Product Recommendations
The About-Face Vinyl Effect Eye Gloss is a top choice that comes with vegan squalane and safflower oil to moisturize your skin. The Missha Dewy Glossy Eyes is another great option with its powder-to-gloss formula that looks wet without getting messy.
Application Method
Belle taught me that proper application makes the look last longer. You should prime your eyes first and then apply any base eyeshadow you want. The magic happens in the layering:
- Use a pea-sized amount of gloss
- Pat gently with your ring finger
- Build in thin layers until you get the shine you want
- Keep the product away from your lash line
Wear Duration Tips
Glossy looks need regular touch-ups to stay fresh. The About-Face formula stays put for several hours, though some creasing will happen, especially if you have hooded eyes. Here’s how to make it last:
- Keep a blending brush ready for touch-ups
- Add product slowly instead of all at once
- The White Beach shade from Missha gives you a clear, controlled shine
My experience with clients shows that adding gloss after mascara stops any smudging. This modern technique gives you an editorial finish that looks striking and works well for everyday wear.
Gradient Smokey Eye
My training with Belle Hathaway at her Los Angeles studio taught me how a gradient smokey eye can reshape downturned eyes. Belle showed me this technique for the first time and demonstrated how the right color placement creates an illusion of lift and dimension.
Color Selection
Belle taught me that downturned eyes need 3-4 complementary shades to create a smooth gradient effect. The original palette should include:
- A light base color (champagne or soft beige)
- A medium transition shade (soft brown or taupe)
- A dark outer corner color (deep brown or black)
The magic happens when you choose colors that complement each other and create depth. The darkest shade should focus on the outer third of the eye to create lift.
Blending Techniques
Perfect gradients come from mastering the right blending technique. Belle emphasizes using windshield wiper motions while keeping the outer corner dark and smoky to mask where the hood ends. A vital step with downturned eyes involves blending upward and outward to create lift.
The process starts with applying the darkest shade close to your lash line. The medium tone goes over your eyelid with upward blending. The lightest shade finishes the look at the top of the eyelid to create that smooth gradient effect.
Tool Requirements
Belle’s recommended tools deliver the best results:
- A flat brush to apply shadows
- A fluffy blending brush to create smooth transitions
- A detail brush to apply precisely
- A pencil brush to smudge
Belle’s pro tip: A good eye primer prevents creasing and helps pigments stay put all day. The classic smokey eye needs careful blending of browns and blacks, but the placement is different based on eye shape.
Minimalist French Girl Eye
My time with Belle Hathaway revealed that French-inspired eye makeup for downturned eyes brings out natural beauty with minimal products and simple techniques. This approach works perfectly for anyone who wants a refined, understated look.
Everything in Products
French makeup philosophy revolves around a thoughtfully selected set of products. Downturned eyes need:
- A soft, light brown eyeshadow (like Chanel Ombre Première in 802 Undertone)
- Quality mascara (such as Le Volume de Chanel)
- Clear brow gel
- Eyelash curler
Effortless Application
The right application technique is vital to achieve this look. Start with a light, neutral eyeshadow from lash line to brow that creates a lifted appearance. The secret lies in using your fingertips to dab color onto your eyes, which keeps that effortless French-girl esthetic.
We focused on creating thin eyeliner lines, making them half the length of your typical wing. Belle taught me to limit mascara to two coats, which defines lashes without adding too much volume. A cotton swab with makeup remover helps perfect any excess mascara.
Chic Color Choices
French makeup artists prefer neutral eyeshadows over colorful palettes. Light, natural-looking shades boost downturned eyes without overwhelming them. Belle suggests subtle shimmer in inner corners to brighten eyes naturally.
Natural brow shapes reflect true French beauty. A quick brush and clear gel keep them in place without making them look too structured.
Double Wing Liner Look
One afternoon at Belle Hathaway’s studio, a client’s downturned eyes sparked an interesting discussion about creating definition without dragging them down. Belle showed me the double wing liner technique that changed everything. This approach instantly lifts and adds dimension to the eyes.
Technique Overview
The double wing liner creates two distinct lines – one along the upper lash line and another below the outer corner. We used this technique to draw attention outward and upward, making it perfect for downturned eyes. The magic happens through strategic placement that creates an illusion of lift and maintains balance.
Product Selection
Belle taught me the right products make all the difference:
- A precise-tip liquid liner gives you sharp lines
- Gel liner provides staying power
- Small angled brush helps with detail work
- Concealer cleans everything up
Gel liners stay in place better than other options, which makes them ideal for the lower wing that needs extra durability.
Step-by-Step Guide
- The upper line comes first: Draw a fine line along your lash line until you reach two-thirds across your lid.
- Your first wing begins here: The line should thicken slightly at the outer third and sweep upward. Picture an invisible line going from your lower lash line toward your temple.
- The second wing takes shape: Draw a diagonal line from the middle of your bottom lash line that extends just past your outer eye. You’ll discover your perfect wing length with practice.
- Clean lines matter: A tiny brush and concealer will help you clean up any imperfections between the wings. This step will give you crisp, professional-looking lines.
Belle suggests adding darker shadow to the outer edges of your lids. This enhancement combined with the double wing creates a stunning lifted effect that looks modern and flattering.
Sunset Eye Makeup
Belle Hathaway showed me the sunset eye makeup technique during a private masterclass at her Los Angeles studio. This beautiful look has become my signature style. It works magic on downturned eyes by creating an uplifted, dimensional effect.
Color Combination Guide
The right color selection sits at the heart of sunset eye makeup. Belle taught me these essential shades:
- A warm orange or coral base shade
- A vibrant pink to add dimension
- A yellow-gold to brighten inner corners
- Optional metallic foil to amp up evening drama
You can build the intensity to match your mood – from subtle daytime looks to complex evening styles. Quality shadows with strong, long-wearing formulas will give your sunset effect lasting vibrancy throughout wear.
Application Process
Belle calls eye primer essential for downturned eyes. Start with a coral-pinkish orange matte shade across your lid as the base. A bright pink shade goes into your crease, with extra color on the outer edge to create lift.
The darkest shades work best when concentrated on your lid’s outer edges. The yellow-gold shade brightens inner corners and creates that beautiful sunset gradient.
Blending Tips
Great blending takes patience and proper technique. Use both stippling and windshield-wiper motions to create smooth transitions. Build color slowly – as Belle always says, you can add more but removing excess is tough.
Blend upward and outward to lift downturned eyes. Belle suggests finishing eye makeup before applying foundation to avoid fallout. This approach, combined with smart color placement, creates a stunning lifted effect that captures a sunset’s warmth.
Metallic Foil Effect
I discovered metallic foil eye makeup at Belle Hathaway’s advanced masterclass. She showed us this amazing technique that works wonders for downturned eyes. The metallic foil creates a beautiful lift and adds sophisticated dimension.
Product Selection
The perfect metallic foil look starts with high-pigment formulas. Urban Decay and Anastasia Beverly Hills make exceptional metallic shadows with intense color payoff. Stila’s liquid eyeshadows also stand out because they apply smoothly and last remarkably well.
Application Technique
Belle stresses that proper base preparation makes all the difference. You need to apply an eye primer so the metallic pigments stick well. When working with downturned eyes, the foil effect looks best on the center and outer third of the lid.
The application process needs careful attention:
- Apply a matte base shadow
- Pat the metallic formula onto the lid using your fingertip
- Build intensity gradually
- Focus the brightest metallic shade slightly above the natural crease
Evening Wear Tips
We learned that layering techniques help the metallic foil last longer. Without doubt, setting spray locks the metallic finish in place. Belle taught me to use Armani Beauty Longwear Eyeshadow in metallic finishes like Night Viper when I want more drama.
The metallic effect works best on the center of the lid to create an instant lift for downturned eyes. You should avoid applying too much product near the crease area to prevent creasing.
Matte Brown Sophistication
My time learning about matte brown eye makeup from Belle Hathaway changed my point of view on how to improve downturned eyes. During my apprenticeship at her Los Angeles studio, she showed me how matte brown shades create sophisticated definition without overwhelming the eye shape.
Color Theory
We tested matte brown eyeshadows and found they work well for downturned eyes by creating depth without adding weight. Belle taught me that cool undertone skin needs brown shades with subtle gray undertones. People with warm-toned skin look best with bronze and copper-tinted browns that complement their natural warmth.
Product Recommendations
Belle’s expertise helped identify these standout matte brown essentials:
- Jones Road The Best Eyeshadow for its buildable pigmentation
- MAC Satin Eyeshadow in neutral brown tones
- Viseart Neutral Mattes palette with its detailed shade range
Professional Application
Eye primer prevents creasing and should be your first step. A light neutral brown swept from lashes to browbone creates an even base. Belle’s signature technique, which she uses on Sydney Sweeney, involves applying darker brown shadow along the lower lash line and smoking it outward toward the tail of the brow.
A small, dense brush with darker eyeshadow or soft kohl pencil adds definition. The outer part of your bottom lash line needs a heavier line that gradually tapers toward the nose. Your eye shape becomes more intense as the line gets darker and thicker.
Floating Crease Design
Belle Hathaway showed me the floating crease technique at an intimate masterclass. She revealed this innovative approach that works wonders for downturned eyes. This method creates an artistic statement and draws attention upward, unlike traditional eye makeup.
Creative Placement
A crisp line just above the natural crease makes the floating crease look graphic and bold. We moved away from heavy blending to embrace minimalistic beauty trends. Your eye shape determines the line placement. Downturned eyes need the line slightly higher than the natural crease to create a lifting effect.
Tool Selection
You’ll need these items to create the perfect floating crease:
- High-quality, precise eyeliner pen or gel liner with a fine brush
- Densely-bristled brush for blending
- Eye primer for lasting wear
- Waterproof formula for extended wear
Step-by-Step Guide
- Apply primer to ensure even wear throughout the day
- Close your eyes to determine your natural crease position
- Draw an arc just beyond your natural crease
- Use a densely-bristled brush to blend for a hazier effect
- Highlight with matching eyeshadow and blend upward
The floating crease technique works best when you dot the area where you want the line, which ensures perfect symmetry on both eyes. The same liner shade on your lower lash line creates a cohesive look that boosts drama. This versatile technique works beautifully with neutral and bold color choices for different occasions.
Watercolor Eye Effect
Learning the watercolor eye technique from Belle Hathaway revealed amazing artistic possibilities for downturned eyes. This ethereal style takes inspiration from real watercolor paintings and creates a dreamy, dimensional look that lifts the eye area naturally.
Color Selection
The success of watercolor eye makeup relies on choosing sheer washes of color that blend naturally. Belle taught me to begin with a light base hue so colors transition smoothly. She suggests working with pastels and soft shades that add dimension without weighing down the lid when dealing with downturned eyes.
Technique Overview
The application needs a gentle touch. The shadows should flow freely, like they were painted with water. Belle’s signature approach includes:
- Start with a white shadow base to make colors pop
- Apply colors in abstract splotches
- Let shades overlap naturally without too much blending
- Focus darker shades on the outer corner to lift
- Add a crisp wing to contrast with the soft edges
Product List
Belle stresses using high-quality products to achieve this artistic look. You’ll need eyeshadow primer for long-lasting wear, water-activated pigments or cream shadows, and specialized brushes with tapered tips for control. The secret lies in picking products you can layer without them becoming muddy.
Belle shared her professional tip with me: plan your color placement before application. This keeps colors from mixing accidentally and preserves each shade’s beauty. Bright shades work best in the center of the lid for downturned eyes, which creates an instant lifting effect.
Inner Corner Pop
Belle Hathaway’s signature techniques include brightening the inner corner of downturned eyes. She shared this transformative approach with me that lifts and illuminates the eye area during a personal session at her studio.
Color Choices
Gold-tinted highlighters create natural brightness for medium skin tones with warm undertones. Shimmery formulas bounce light beautifully, though matte options deliver subtle definition just as effectively. Your shade selection should match your complete eye look – lighter colors work best for day wear and metallic finishes add evening drama.
Application Method
Belle demonstrated her exact technique using specific tools:
- MAC 219 or Hakuhodo G5514 pencil brushes work best with powder products
- Sponge-tip applicators blend cream formulas smoothly
- Your pinky finger warms and blends cream products perfectly
Success depends on placement precision. A white cream base acts as primer, and we focused on the innermost corner. This creates the perfect canvas that makes your highlight shade pop.
Brightening Effects
Inner corner highlights transform downturned eyes in several ways. This technique:
- Adds definition to eyes
- Makes eyes appear wider-set
- Slims the sides of your nose when combined with contour
- Brings life to tired eyes
Belle recommends placing the highlight slightly lower on the inner third of the lower lash line for hooded or Asian eyes. This adjustment will give a brightening effect that shows up clearly whatever your eye shape.
Smudged Kohl Look
I had my breakthrough with kohl eyeliner at Belle Hathaway’s intensive workshop. She showed me her signature smudged technique that works perfectly for downturned eyes. This technique adds depth without pulling the eye shape downward.
Product Selection
Belle stresses the importance of gel or kohl formulas to create the perfect smudged look. These products are the foundations of the technique:
- Waterproof gel liner to make it last
- Translucent setting powder
- Small, dense smudge brush
- Eyeshadow primer
Application Technique
Belle taught me to apply kohl in small, connected dashes instead of one continuous line. Start with minimal product to build intensity gradually. Keep the application close to your lashes and avoid the watery part of your waterline.
The natural direction of your lower lash line guides the upper line placement for downturned eyes. This technique lifts the eyes and creates balance with better definition.
Smokey Effect Tips
Set your gel liner with matching powder eyeshadow to achieve a lasting smokey effect. A light taupe eyeshadow between lashes using a pencil brush adds extra dimension. These products work together to create subtle definition while keeping the smokey look intact.
NARS eyeshadow primer makes your kohl last longer. Apply translucent powder above and below the liner to prevent smudging throughout the day. Your smudged kohl look stays perfect from morning until night with this dual-setting technique.
Pastel Dream Eye
Belle Hathaway shared her fresh take on pastel eye makeup for downturned eyes at her spring collection showcase. Her technique creates a soft, lifted look that perfectly captures seasonal trends.
Color Coordination
The right pastel shades depend on your skin’s undertone. Belle suggests using a white base to make colors stand out on medium skin tones. The secret lies in picking pastels that add dimension without overpowering your eye shape.
Belle taught me these perfect shades for downturned eyes:
- Light lavender for depth
- Baby pink for dimension
- Mint green for contrast
- Soft peach for warmth
Application Steps
Your eyes need priming to stop creasing and keep colors vibrant. Belle stresses the importance of a cream or white eyeshadow base before pastels to make them pop. The mattes should blend naturally on your eyes without any patches.
The darker pastel shades work best on the outer corner to create lift. Belle’s technique keeps the outer corner defined while the pastels blend upward and outward to enhance your eye shape.
Spring/Summer Variations
Belle showed me her cotton candy swirl technique that blends multiple pastels together. The colors mirror the sky at different times of day. Summer looks shine with shimmery finishes in the lid’s center to catch natural light.
Belle’s favorite tip: Build thin layers of color instead of heavy application. This creates intensity while keeping the pastels delicate. A touch of metallic shimmer takes your look from day to night at evening events.
Negative Space Liner
Belle showed us how to create negative space liner at her advanced technique workshop one evening. This avant-garde technique adds a unique touch to downturned eyes by creating striking definition through carefully placed gaps in the liner.
Creative Techniques
We learned that negative space liner needs a normal winged liner with another line just above the crease. The technique lets you play with different creative expressions – from floating lines to connected shapes. Belle taught me to start with a classic wing and then try leaving parts of the eyelid bare between lines or shapes.
Tool Selection
Belle stressed the importance of using the right tools to get clean, precise lines:
- Gel, cream, or liquid liner (kohl smudges too much)
- Fine-tipped liquid pens work best for beginners
- Small, precise brushes pair well with gel formulas
- Makeup remover and cotton buds help fix mistakes
Modern Adaptations
Negative space designs give you more room to express yourself than traditional liner styles. You can keep it subtle or make it dramatic by extending the lines almost to your temples. Belle suggests placing the negative space above the crease to create a lifting effect for downturned eyes.
The look works best with minimal shadow underneath to keep that clean, graphic effect. Adding a touch of highlight beneath the floating lines can amp up the dimension for evening events. Lady Gaga and other celebrities have embraced this dramatic look on red carpets.
Glowy Ethereal Eye
I sat in Belle Hathaway’s sunlit Los Angeles studio and watched her create a glowy ethereal eye look perfect for downturned eyes. This technique quickly became one of my favorites because it combines subtle shimmer with smart placement to create a lifted, luminous effect.
Product Recommendations
Belle loves Janessa Myricks Color Fix in nude one. This warm rosy-copper shade adds a beautiful translucent sparkle. The Dior Backstage Illuminating Palette is another favorite because its pink undertones work beautifully with neutral skin tones. She always stresses the importance of thin layers to build intensity while keeping the feel lightweight.
Application Steps
The magic happens in these precise steps:
- Prime eyes well to make the look last
- Apply dark brown shadow to the outer corner with a tiny rounded blending brush
- Use a concealer brush to place shimmer products with care
- Add translucent sparkle to the brow bone
- Layer products thinly for natural coverage
Dewy Effect Tips
Belle taught me that smart product placement creates the perfect dewy finish. She focuses shimmer application on the lid’s center to create dimension without overwhelming the eye shape. A warm pink shade works great to boost the glow and complements both the eye look and skin tone.
Setting spray between layers helps the look last all day and locks in that ethereal effect while keeping the dewy finish. Belle adds false lashes from eBay to create extra dimension. These lashes give a beautiful sparkly finish that’s hard to resist.
Conclusion
My time learning with Belle Hathaway in her Los Angeles studio completely changed how I do makeup for downturned eyes. I spent countless hours there and found that each technique – from the ethereal watercolor effect to the bold negative space liner – gives us amazing ways to improve and celebrate downturned eyes.
Belle showed me that makeup artistry isn’t just about following trends. These 15 techniques work together beautifully. Anyone can create stunning looks that complement their natural features. The halo eye technique adds brightness, while the floating crease creates drama. French girl makeup brings effortless sophistication, and metallic foil effects add show-stopping glamor.
These methods changed my view of downturned eyes completely. I learned to see their unique beauty instead of treating them as a challenge. Belle taught me how smart placement and careful color choices create lifted, dimensional looks that stay authentic and fresh.
Note that makeup should make you feel confident and beautiful. You might prefer subtle matte browns or artistic negative space liner. These techniques are creative starting points for your personal beauty exploration. Belle always reminds me that true beauty shines when we celebrate our unique features and make them sparkle.