How to Do Fox Eye Makeup
By Lamyaa Aissi · Professional Makeup Artist, Casablanca
The fox eye — elongated, lifted, snatched toward the temples — remains one of the most requested looks in my chair, especially for evening events and photoshoots.
The effect is built from four elements pulling in the same direction: an elongated inner corner, a lifted wing, upswept shadow, and straight, brushed-up brows.
What you'll need
- A matte shadow in a taupe or soft brown, plus a deeper shade
- A fine liquid or gel liner
- Brow gel and (optionally) individual outer-corner lashes
Step 1: Straighten and lift the brows
Brush brow hairs up and slightly outward with gel, playing down the arch. A straighter brow with a lifted tail is the frame of the fox effect.
Step 2: Sweep shadow on an upward axis
Blend the taupe shade from the outer corner up toward the tail of the brow — not along the natural downward curve of the socket. Every stroke follows that diagonal.
Step 3: Elongate the inner corner
With a fine brush and the deeper shade (or liner), draw a small, sharp extension from the inner corner downward toward the nose bridge. This tiny 'inverted' flick dramatically elongates the eye.
Step 4: Draw a straight, shallow wing
The fox wing is flatter than a classic cat eye — it extends the lash line straight toward the end of the brow rather than curving up. Keep the liner thin along the lid.
Step 5: Load lashes at the outer edge
Mascara or lash clusters concentrated on the outer third continue the horizontal pull. Skip heavy inner-corner lashes entirely.
Step 6: Clean the under-eye upward
Concealer blended diagonally up toward the temple sharpens the lower edge and completes the lift.
Pro tips from the chair
- Skip harsh contour under this look — the eye lift does the sculpting; heavy cheek contour fights the direction of the look.
- A nude liner in the waterline enlarges the eye while keeping the elongated shape.
- For photos, a small highlight dot at the inner corner balances the darkened outer flick.
Frequently asked questions
Fox eye vs cat eye — what's the difference?
A cat eye curves upward with drama at the outer corner; a fox eye is straighter, flatter, and pulls horizontally with an added inner-corner flick. Fox reads sultry, cat reads retro-glam.
Does the fox eye suit every eye shape?
The technique adapts: on round eyes it adds length; on almond eyes it amplifies what exists; on hooded eyes keep the wing shallow and rely on the shadow diagonal for lift.
Learn it hands-on in Casablanca
Reading only gets you so far — technique clicks when someone corrects your hand in real time. I teach one-on-one makeup lessons in Casablanca tailored to your face, your kit, and your skill level, from 600 MAD. Or if you'd rather have it done for you, book a session for your next event.
More guides: all tutorials · the full smokey eye masterclass · bridal makeup tutorial.