How to Lift Downturned Eyes with Your Brows

Short answer: To lift downturned eyes with your brows, keep the tail of the brow angled gently upward rather than sloping down, and place the arch so it draws the eye outward and up. Brushing the hairs up and setting a lifted tail counters the downward line of the eye and creates a brighter, more lifted appearance. Avoid brows that droop at the ends, which echo and emphasise the downturn.

Downturned eyes slope slightly downward at the outer corners, giving a soft, gentle expression that many people love. If you would like to create a more lifted look, your brows are one of the most effective tools, because the eye naturally follows the line the brow sets above it. The key is to lead the eye upward rather than down.

How do I know if I have downturned eyes?

Look straight ahead in a mirror and draw an imaginary horizontal line across the centre of both eyes. If the outer corners sit below that line, angling downward, your eyes are downturned. It is a common and attractive shape, and the goal here is simply to add lift if that is the look you want, not to correct anything.

Why do brows help lift downturned eyes?

The brow sets the visual direction above the eye. When the tail of the brow lifts upward, it creates an opposing, uplifting line that counterbalances the downward slope of the outer eye corner. This contrast is what produces the impression of lift. When the brow tail droops instead, it mirrors and reinforces the downturn, which is the opposite of what you want.

How do I shape my brows to lift downturned eyes?

Everything centres on the tail. Follow these steps.

1. Brush the hairs up and outward. This immediately lifts the whole eye area and shows your natural shape.
2. Set the arch to draw outward and up. Place the peak so the line of the brow leads the eye up towards the temple.
3. Lift the tail. Guide the end of the brow so it angles gently upward, or at least stays level, and never dips below the head of the brow.
4. Keep the tail crisp, not droopy. Add soft definition along the upward line so the lift is clear.
5. Do not over-extend downward. If your natural tail slopes down, keep colour light there and lead the eye up instead of following the droop.
6. Set the lifted shape. Lock the tail in its upward position with gel so it holds.

What is the difference between a lifting brow and a drooping brow?

The contrast is easiest to see side by side.

Which brow products help create lift?

Hold is everything when you are training a tail upward, so a setting gel does most of the work. Brushing the hairs up and out and locking them there is what keeps the lift in place all day.

A Clear Brow Gel is ideal for coaxing the tail upward and holding a lifted, groomed line without adding colour. If you want to sharpen the upward angle with soft definition, our Tinted Brow Gel adds buildable colour so the lift reads clearly. For grooming, colour and hold in one coordinated kit, a Brow Set covers everything you need.

A gentle, natural approach

Resist the urge to draw a dramatically upswept brow, which can look severe and unnatural. The most flattering lift stays close to your own brow line and simply favours the upward direction at the tail. Subtle contrast is what looks lifted; exaggeration just looks drawn on.

To lift downturned eyes with your brows, keep the tail of the brow angled gently upward rather than sloping down, and place the arch so it draws the eye outward and up.

Key takeaways

• Keep the brow tail angled up or level to counter the downward slope of the eye.
• Never let the tail droop, as it echoes and emphasises the downturn.
• Brush the hairs up and out to lift the whole eye area.
• Place the arch so it leads the eye outward and upward.
• Set the lifted tail firmly with gel so the shape holds all day.
• Keep the lift subtle and close to your natural brow for a believable result.

Frequently asked questions

How do brows lift downturned eyes?

Brows lift downturned eyes by setting an upward line above the eye that contrasts with the downward slope of the outer corner. When the tail of the brow angles up, it draws the gaze upward and creates the impression of lift. A drooping brow tail does the opposite and emphasises the downturn.

Should the brow tail go up for downturned eyes?

Yes. Keeping the tail angled gently upward, or at least level, is the single most helpful adjustment for downturned eyes. Make sure the end of the brow never dips below the head of the brow, as that reinforces the downward line rather than lifting it.

Can I overdo the lifted brow look?

You can. An overly steep, upswept brow tends to look severe and drawn on rather than lifted. The most flattering approach keeps the shape close to your natural brow and simply favours an upward angle at the tail, so the lift looks effortless.

What products keep a lifted brow in place?

A strong-hold brow gel is the most reliable way to keep a lifted tail in place all day, because it locks the brushed-up hairs into position. A clear gel works well for grooming and hold, while a tinted gel adds soft definition to emphasise the upward angle.

Do downturned eyes need fixing?

Not at all. Downturned eyes are a soft, attractive shape that does not need correcting. Shaping your brows to add lift is simply a styling choice if you prefer a more lifted look, and brows cannot and need not change the natural structure of your eyes.