Statement eye makeup doesn’t have to be complicated. Just look at the top eye trends making waves on TikTok this year: fox eyes, mermaid eyes, and now doe eyes. Each look is based on enhancing the shape of the eyes, and only requires a few products and a steady hand to create.
“The doe eye trend is a rounded, wide-eyed look that gives the illusion of bigger eyes,” explains celebrity makeup artist Moani Lee, who works with Kacey Musgraves. “Instead of an elongated cat-eye shape embraced by the mermaid eye, you can opt to skip the eyeliner for a more natural look or use eyeliner along the lash line. lashes, thicker in the center followed by a soft flick for a little more drama.”
By making the eyes appear larger and rounder, the doe eye trend creates a youthful and innocent effect. Think Twiggy in the 1960s, with her simple yet bold eye makeup that emphasized voluminous lashes and a wide-eyed effect.
“These savvy TikTokers have a way of using the medium to make trends that may have appeared in other forms throughout history feel modern and new again,” says New York makeup artist Suzy Gerstein. Beyond TikTok, doe eyes have also been a popular trend among celebrities like Ariana Grande, Sydney Sweeney, Yara Shahidi, Kacey Musgraves and Blackpink’s Lisa.
To create the “doll eye shape” of the doe eye trend, the makeup artist says the key components are “a dark liner slightly up on the upper lash line, a beige or white kohl pencil on the waterline and a concentrated mascara on the center lashes.”
Ahead, makeup artists share their favorite products for creating the doe eye trend, along with pro tips on how to apply them.
$22 at Make Up For Ever and Sephora
Lee loves this long-lasting, waterproof eyeliner in graphite to create that doe-eyed look. “Add a thicker liner to the center of the upper lash line and blend the rim or add a soft touch to add drama,” she says. For a softer look, the makeup artist says to opt for brown liner or skip liner altogether.
$21 $19.59 on Amazon
Gerstein says she’s been using this Japanese eyeliner for years. “[I] I love how thin I can get the line with it, plus the fact that it doesn’t move,” she says.
$50 at Guide Beauty
When doing eyeliner at home, being precise can be tricky. “If you have trouble with shaky hands, Guide Beauty’s liner tool and gel liner are great options,” suggests Gerstein.
$22 at Make Up For Ever and Sephora
For the lower lash line, Lee suggests this multipurpose matte pencil. She loves the intense color payoff and says to try Boundless Bisque or Infinite Sand, depending on your skin tone. “A bare liner gives a more natural wide-eyed effect,” says Lee. Alternatively, take the pencil to All Around White for a more dramatic effect.
$28 in Violet Grey
Made specifically for the waterline, this glitter pencil is a Gerstein favorite. Its light beige tone works with a multitude of skin tones.
$20 at Bluemercury and Jillian Dempsey
For fair skin, Gerstein recommends brightening the lower lash line with this white eyeliner, which she says has a “dreamy, creamy Kajal formula.”
From $6.97 at Amazon or $7 at Nyx
Gerstein also suggests this multipurpose pencil for those with deeper complexions. “I love that it’s double-sided: matte on one end and the other end offering a glossier finish that’s perfect for highlighting inner corners,” says the makeup artist. For longer wear, she also suggests layering shadow on top.
$22 at Rare Beauty and Sephora
“I love a natural, skin-like look, and Rare Beauty offers this selection of highlighters,” says Lee. “Choose your favorite based on your skin tone. Use clean fingers to apply to the inner corner of the eyes for a natural effect. You can fold and use these gorgeous markers on top of your cheekbones for a naturally sculpted effect.
$32 at Sephora and Credo
“I love this pale champagne shade from Westman Atelier to apply to the inner corners and center of the lid for a shimmery, wide-eyed effect,” shares Gerstein.
$29.50 at Sephora
This volumizing mascara is Gerstein’s pick for “emphasizing the curl and adding length and volume through the center lashes.”
$29 at Sephora
“I love this mascara for giving fuller, richer lashes,” says Lee. “It’s perfect for adding drama to the center of your lashes.” Concentrating your mascara on the center of your eyes, rather than the inner or outer corners, will help make your eyes appear larger.
$28 in Violet Grey
“If you’re wearing false lashes, a tube mascara like this one from Victoria Beckham Beauty is all you need to coat your lashes before applying,” shares Gerstein.
$22 at Lashify
False eyelashes can accentuate the rounded, wide-eyed effect of the doe-eye trend. Gerstein loves Lashify’s C+ lashes in short and medium for a natural yet enhanced look. The makeup artist says to “keep the longest lashes in the middle third of the eye and the shortest lashes in the inner and outer thirds.”
$9 on Amazon
Gerstein recommends keeping cotton swabs and micellar water on hand to help sharpen your eyeliner if you mess up. She picks hers up at Alcone in New York, or you can try these double-ended ones from Amazon. They have a rounded end and a pointed end for precision.
$10.99 on Amazon
This cult-favorite micellar water is also Gerstein’s go-to for touch-ups.
