Monolid Eyes Don't Need Heavy Eyeliner: Kim Go-eun Focuses on Lower Eyeshadow and Lashes Instead
Turns out all my past eyeliner was a total waste.
Summary
- Blend a taupe-brown eyeshadow along the outer third of the lower lash line, replacing harsh eyeliner that boxes in the eyes.
- After priming the entire eyelid, deepen only the outer corners and fill in the roots of the lashes with a dark brown shade.
- Lash direction is key: curl the middle section straight up, while letting the outer lashes flare outward naturally.
If you have single eyelids, you’ve likely had this phase: drawing eyeliner thicker and thicker to make your eyes look bigger, only for it to disappear completely when you open your eyes—or worse, make you look harsh. In truth, the true appeal of single eyelids lies in their clean, cool vibe. Take a look at Kim Go-eun’s everyday eye makeup: she rarely wears heavy black eyeliner, yet her eyes always look deep and defined.
This winter, stop trying to fill in your entire upper eyelid. Shift your focus to the lower eyeshadow and lashes instead. Master these three tricks to make your eyes pop, and you’ll realize all that heavy eyeliner in the past was completely unnecessary.
Trick 1: Lower eyeshadow and bottom lashes are the real key to bigger eyes
Since single eyelids tend to swallow up eye makeup on top, the lower lash line is prime real estate. Just avoid rimming your lower eyes with a black eyeliner pencil, which only makes them look smaller and more closed off.
Instead, try lightly dusting a cool taupe-brown shadow along the outer third of your lower eye, gently deepening the color toward the outer corner to blend out a subtle shadow. Finish with a quick coat of mascara on your bottom lashes and a touch of fine champagne shimmer at the inner corners. Without the hassle of thick liner, your eyes naturally expand both vertically and horizontally.
Trick 2: Swap heavy black eyeliner for deep brown shadow
If you look closely at Kim Go-eun’s makeup, you’ll notice almost no harsh lines on her lids. Instead, she relies on soft shading to elongate her eye shape.
Start by sweeping a beige-brown shadow—one shade darker than your skin tone—across the entire lid as a base. Be sure to check with your eyes open to see if the color gets hidden. Next, grab a small detail brush, layer a deep brown shadow just at the outer corners, and flick it gently outward. If you still prefer using eyeliner, switch to a dark brown and simply tightline between your upper lashes. This keeps the crisp, clean silhouette that makes single eyelids so striking.
Trick 3: Lash direction matters more than volume
If you want bright, awake eyes, lashes are essential. But rather than piling on thick, dense volume, single eyelids benefit far more from the direction your lashes fan out.
When curling your lashes, curl the center directly above your pupil straight upward to give your eyes a rounded look. Then, fan out the outer corner lashes outward following your eye shape, giving them a slight curve. Opt for a defining, lengthening mascara that doesn’t clump. Even without dramatic eyeliner, your eyes will look bright, clear, and captivating.
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