I used to believe something completely wrong.
For years, I thought thick kajal on my lower waterline made my eyes look sexy. You know the look. Dark, intense, a little smoky. Every Bollywood heroine from the 90s did it, so obviously I had to do it too.
Except.Every time I looked at my photos, something felt off. My eyes looked... smaller. Closed off. Like I'd drawn a fence around them and said, "stay inside."
Then one day, a makeup artist friend watched me do my kajal and just sighed.
"You're making your eyes look tiny," she said. Very directly. No filter. "Stop lining the whole waterline."
I was offended for exactly three seconds. Then I tried her method.
And honestly? I've never gone back.
So if you've been struggling with small eyes bigger makeup goals, if you feel like kajal makes you look more sleepy than sultry, this one is for you.
The Big Mistake Almost Everyone Makes
Here's what most of us do.
We take our favorite kajal for small eyes — or just any kajal, really — and we run it along the entire lower waterline. From the inner corner all the way to the outer corner. Thick. Dark. Unbroken.
Then we do the same on top.
and we wonder why our eyes look smaller.
The problem is simple. Dark colors create shadows. Shadows create depth. But when you completely surround your eye with darkness, you're not creating depth. You're creating a cage. The eye gets trapped inside all that black.
No breathing room. No openness. Just... a dark ring.
For people with naturally smaller eyes, this is basically a crime against your own face. Sorry to be dramatic, but I feel strongly about this. The Simple Fix That Changes Everything
Okay, ready for the actual solution?
You're going to apply kajal on only the outer one-third of your lower waterline . That's it. The outer corner area, near where your lashes end.
then you're going to smudge it slightly outward.
Here's exactly how to do this with the Moraze Cosmetics Trending Intense Black Kajal (Row 55 if you're looking at their collection — it's the one that doesn't budge for hours).
Step-by-Step Guide
Step 1: Prep your eyes
Make sure your under-eye area is clean and dry. No extra oil or cream right now.
Step 2: Top lash line first
Line your upper lash line as you normally would. Close to the roots. This is fine. Keep it.
Step 3: Lower waterline – only outer 1/3
Here's where the magic happens. Take your Moraze Cosmetics kajal and gently apply it to just the outer corner of your lower waterline. Stop before you reach the middle of your eye.
If you imagine dividing your eye into three equal parts — inner, middle, outer — you only touch the outer part.
Step 4: Smudge outward
Take a small smudge brush or even your pinky finger. Gently smudge that kajal outwards, toward your temple. Not into your eye. Outward.
This little movement elongates your eye. Makes it look wider. More almond-shaped. Instantly
Step 5: The real secret – nude pencil on inner corner
This step changes everything.
Take a nude or white pencil. Apply it to your inner lower waterline — the area you left empty. Then put a tiny dot of the same nude pencil right in your inner corner (the little pinkish area near your nose).
This opens up your eye like somebody turned on a light. The darkness is go
Why This Works (The Non-Boring Explanation)
Look, I'm not a scientist.
But here's what I understand after years of trial and error.
Dark colors on the waterline absorb light. When you put dark color all the way across, your eye loses its natural highlights. Everything becomes flat and closed.
But when you put dark only on the outer corner and nude on the inner corner, you create something called optical illusion . The nude area reflects light, making that part of your eye appear more open. The dark outer corner adds definition without closing things off.
The outward smudge pulls the eye shape horizontally.
Together?
Bigger looking eyes. Without surgery. Without weird tape. Just smart placement.
For anyone trying to make small eyes bigger makeup work for them, this is genuinely the most effective trick I've found.
Which Kajal Should You Use?
Not all kajals are created equal for this technique.
You need something that:
- Glides smoothly on the waterline (waterlines are sensitive)
- Stays put without transferring to your lower lash line
- Doesn't irritate your eyes
- Smudges easily but then sets
The Moraze Cosmetics Trending Intense Black Kajal hits all these points. It's black enough to give real definition but soft enough to smudge without tugging. Plus it doesn't melt into your under-eye circles by noon. That used to be my biggest complaint with drugstore kajals.
For the nude pencil? Any soft nude or white eye pencil works. Just make sure it's eye-safe and creamy enough for the waterline.More Tips for Making Eyes Look Bigger
A few extra things I've picked up along the way.
Curl your lashes. Seriously. Curled lashes open up your eyes more than you'd expect. Do it before kajal.
Use mascara only on upper lashes. Lower lash mascara adds weight. Skip it if your eyes are very small.
Keep brows groomed. Heavy, low brows make eyes look smaller. Just saying.
White pencil > nude pencil if you have fair skin. Nude looks more natural on medium to dark skin. White can look ashy. Choose based on your skin tone.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does kajal on waterline make small eyes look smaller?
Yes, if you apply it on the entire waterline. Dark colors all the way across close off the eye. That's why the outer 1/3 trick works better.
Can I use black kajal for this technique or should I use brown?
Black works perfectly fine when used only on the outer corner. Brown is softer but gives less definition. For evening wear, stick to black. For daytime, brown is nice but optional.
What if my kajal smudges into my under-eye area anyway?
Set your under-eye with a tiny bit of translucent powder before applying kajal. Also, use a smudge-proof formula like Moraze Cosmetics Trending Intense Black Kajal. Some kajals are just naturally messier.
Is the nude pencil really necessary?
Not strictly necessary, but it makes a massive difference. Without the nude pencil, your eye still looks better than full waterline kajal. With it? You look wide awake. Try it once and see if you disagree.
Can I do this technique if I wear contact lenses?
Yes, but be careful. Apply kajal slowly. Don't poke yourself. If you're sensitive, do the lower waterline with your eye looking slightly upward.
Will this work for hooded eyes?
Yes, actually. Hooded eyes benefit even more from this because you're creating horizontal length instead of fighting against the hood.
Final Thoughts
Look, I'm not saying you have to throw away your old kajal habits forever.
Sometimes a full, smoky, dark waterline looks amazing. Late nights. Party makeup. Certain vibes.
But for everyday wear? For office? For looking fresh and awake when you're actually exhausted?
This small eyes bigger makeup trick has saved me more times than I can count. The outer 1/3 rule. The smudge outward. The nude pencil on the inner corner.
Three small changes. One big difference.
Grab your Moraze Cosmetics kajal tomorrow morning. Try this method. Look in the mirror.
Then thank me later.
