YOUR EYES ARE WIDER THAN THEY ARE TALL

If your eyes are wider than they are tall — like an almond stretched sideways — you have a horizontal eye shape. This is a beautiful, versatile shape that many people try to achieve with makeup. But when it comes to falsies, horizontal eyes have a unique challenge: lashes can make them look even wider and more flat if you're not careful.

You've probably noticed that round lashes — the kind that are longest in the center — don't do much for you. They make your eyes look round, but they don't add any dimension. What you actually need is to create the illusion of height, not width.

THE HEIGHT-OVER-WIDTH PRINCIPLE

For a horizontal eye, the goal is to make the eye appear taller, which makes it look more balanced and lifted. The way to do this is with lashes that have more length in the center, but with a strong upward curl.

The center length adds height to the middle of your eye, making it look rounder. The curl lifts the lash upward, which adds vertical dimension. Together, they transform your horizontal eye into a more oval, lifted shape.

But here's the catch: you don't want center length that's too extreme, or it will look like you're wearing costume lashes. You want a moderate center length — about 10-11mm — with a visible curl that opens up the eye.

STYLES TO EMBRACE AND AVOID

Let's break down the best and worst lash styles for horizontal eyes:

• Doll-eye styles — these are your best friend. Center-length with a curl.
• Wispy, airy lashes — they add volume without adding width
• Avoid cat-eye styles — outer-corner length makes your eyes look even wider
• Avoid super long lashes — anything over 13mm will overwhelm the eye
• Avoid dense, thick bands — they add heaviness and flatten the eye

Think of it this way: your eye is already a wide oval. You want to add height to make it look like a taller oval. Center-length lashes with curl do exactly that. Outer-corner lashes just stretch the oval further sideways.

PLACEMENT SECRETS FOR HORIZONTAL EYES

Placement is everything for horizontal eyes. Here's what I recommend:

1. Start the lash slightly past your inner corner — this prevents the eyes from looking too close together
2. Center the longest part of the lash over your pupil — this is what adds height
3. Don't extend the lash too far past your outer corner — keep it within your natural lash line to avoid adding width
4. Press the lash upward after placement — use your fingertip to gently push the lashes upward for a few seconds

That last tip — pressing upward — is the trick I share with all my clients. It reinforces the curl and makes the lash look like it's growing naturally upward from your eye, rather than sitting flat on top.

THE BLEND IS EVERYTHING

With horizontal eyes, the blend between your natural lashes and the falsies matters more than with any other eye shape. Because your eye is wide, any visible gap between your natural lashes and the false band will be noticeable.

To get a seamless blend, curl your natural lashes first and apply a coat of mascara. Then apply the false lash directly on top, pressing it down so it fuses with your natural lashes. If you still see a gap, use a thin line of eyeliner to cover the band and blend everything together.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Can I wear lashes with a strong outer-corner flare?

You can, but it will make your eyes look wider and potentially more flat. If you love the cat-eye look, use it for special occasions but not for everyday. For daily wear, stick to center-length styles.

What if my natural lashes are straight?

That's actually common with horizontal eyes. You'll need to rely on the false lash's curl to add the height you need. Make sure you curl your natural lashes before applying the falsies so they blend together.

Should I use a lash curler after applying falsies?

No, never curl your lashes after applying falsies. It can damage the false lash and your natural lashes. Instead, press the lashes upward with your finger to reinforce the curl.

YOUR LIFTED EYE LOOK STARTS HERE

Understanding your eye shape is the secret to finally loving how you look in lashes. For horizontal eyes, it's all about adding height through center-length styles and a pronounced curl. Once you make that switch, you'll see a dramatic difference in how open and lifted your eyes look.

PHANSTA LASHES has styles crafted with the perfect center-length and curl for horizontal eye shapes. The lightweight fibers and flexible band make them easy to position and comfortable to wear all day. If you've been puzzled by why lashes never look right on you, this could be the missing piece.

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