Ever looked at a photo of a massive movie star and felt like something was just... different? You can’t quite put your finger on it. They’re stunning, sure. But there’s an intensity in their gaze that feels almost magnetic. Often, it’s because of their bone structure. Specifically, we're talking about celebrities with close set eyes.
It’s one of those facial traits people get weirdly self-conscious about, but in the industry, it's a total powerhouse look. Basically, if the bridge of your nose is narrow and the space between your inner corners is less than the width of one eye, you're in this club. It’s not a "flaw." Honestly, it’s a cheat code for looking focused and fierce on camera.
Think about it. Some of the most iconic faces in history don't follow the "perfect" rule of thirds. They have character. They have an edge.
The Science of the Stare: What Close Set Eyes Actually Do
In the world of aesthetics and makeup artistry, there’s this obsession with symmetry. You’ve probably heard that the "ideal" face has one eye-width of space between the eyes. Well, Hollywood thrives on breaking rules.
Close set eyes create a visual sense of concentration. When an actor looks into the lens, that narrower spacing makes their gaze feel more direct. It’s piercing. It’s why certain actors are constantly cast in thrillers or high-stakes dramas—they just look like they’re thinking harder.
But it’s not all about intensity. It's about how the rest of the face balances it out. High cheekbones or a strong jawline can completely change how we perceive eye spacing. Sometimes, a "flaw" becomes a signature. Look at Sarah Jessica Parker. She is the ultimate example of how celebrities with close set eyes can dominate a fashion era. She didn't try to hide it; she leaned into it with bold styling that made her look iconic rather than generic.
Jennifer Aniston: The Master of Balance
Jennifer Aniston is arguably the most famous person with this trait. People rarely notice it because her hair is always perfect. Seriously, her stylists are geniuses.
By using layers that frame the face and highlights that draw the eye outward, she creates an illusion of width. But if you look at her early Friends seasons, it’s more apparent. It gives her that "girl next door" look a bit of a sharp, intelligent edge. It makes her approachable but not boring.
She proves that you don't need a "perfect" face to be the most beautiful woman in the world for three decades straight. It’s about harmony. Her nose, her chin, and her eye placement all work together to create a face that feels familiar and warm.
High Fashion and the Narrow Gaze
In the modeling world, "weird" is usually better than "pretty." Close set eyes are actually a huge asset for high-fashion models.
Take a look at Tyra Banks. While she has a large forehead—which she famously calls her "five-head"—her eyes are positioned relatively close together. This is what allows her to do her signature "smize." Because her eyes are closer to the midline of her face, she can create a focal point that feels incredibly intense. If her eyes were further apart, that "fierce" look might just look like a blank stare.
Then there’s Miley Cyrus. Miley has a very distinct facial structure. Her eyes are a primary feature, and their placement gives her a youthful, energetic vibe. She doesn't hide it with heavy contouring. Instead, she often goes for winged eyeliner that flickers out toward her temples. This is a classic pro trick. It "pulls" the eyes outward, creating a more balanced look without losing the unique character of her natural face shape.
Why We Get This Wrong
Most people think "close set" means "small." That’s a total myth.
You can have massive, doll-like eyes that are close set. Look at Winona Ryder. Her eyes are huge. They’re expressive. They’re also definitely closer together than the standard "one eye-width" rule suggests. In her 90s prime, this gave her a perennial gamine, waif-like quality. It made her look vulnerable but also incredibly observant.
Makeup artists like Lisa Eldridge often discuss how to work with these features rather than against them. The goal isn't to change the person's face. It's to enhance what's there.
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Common Makeup Mistakes for Close Set Eyes
- Heavy dark shadow on the inner corners. This is a disaster. It makes the eyes look like they're merging into the nose.
- Neglecting the brows. If your brows start too close together, it exaggerates the narrowness.
- Over-lining the bottom lash line. This can "close in" the eye area too much.
Instead, the pros focus on the outer corners. They use light, shimmering shades near the tear duct to "open up" the space and then build depth toward the ears. It’s all about direction.
The Men of Hollywood
It’s not just an actress thing. Some of the most "masculine" archetypes in cinema are celebrities with close set eyes.
Ryan Gosling. Go look at a headshot of him. His eyes are noticeably close together. Does it make him less of a heartthrob? Obviously not. It actually contributes to that "smoldering" look he’s known for. It gives him a slightly lopsided, charmingly imperfect face that feels more human than a CGI-perfect model.
Ben Stiller and Daniel Radcliffe also fit this profile. For Radcliffe, it helped him transition from the wide-eyed innocence of early Harry Potter to more intense, gritty roles in adulthood. His gaze feels heavy and intentional.
Embracing the Look: Actionable Insights
If you’ve noticed your eyes are a bit closer together than "average," stop worrying. You’re in elite company. Here is how to actually handle it like a celebrity stylist would:
1. The "Eastward" Eyeliner Trick
Always start your eyeliner about a third of the way in from the inner corner. Never start it right at the tear duct. Drag that wing out and slightly up. This visual "pull" creates the illusion of more space across the bridge of the nose.
2. Brow Mapping is Critical
Tell your threader or waxer to keep the start of your brows aligned with the bridge of your nose, or even a tiny bit further apart. If your brows grow toward the center, pluck them. A wider gap between the brows instantly "widens" the whole top half of your face.
3. Highlight the Bridge
Using a bit of highlighter on the very center of your nose—between the eyes—can sometimes backfire. Instead, put the highlight on the brow bone and the very outer edges of your cheekbones. You want the light to hit the "outside" of your face to draw attention away from the center.
4. Voluminous Hair
Notice how Jennifer Aniston rarely wears her hair slicked back? Volume at the sides of the head adds width to the overall silhouette of the face. If you have close set eyes, flat hair can make your face look narrower than it actually is.
5. Own the Intensity
The biggest "pro tip" isn't about makeup. It's about confidence. Close set eyes give you a natural "power stare." Use it. Don't try to blend into the background with muted colors and shy expressions. Some of the most successful people in the world have used this exact feature to command attention on screen and in the boardroom.
The reality is that "perfection" is boring. We remember faces like Sarah Jessica Parker’s or Ryan Gosling’s because they don’t look like everyone else. Their "non-standard" features are exactly what make them stars. Whether it's on a red carpet or in a mirror at home, the goal should always be harmony, not a checklist of proportions.
Next time you look at a photo of yourself, stop measuring the centimeters between your eyes. Instead, look at the focus and clarity it gives your expression. That’s not a flaw—it’s your brand.
Practical Next Steps for You:
- Check your brow start point: Grab a pencil and hold it vertically against the side of your nostril. If your brow starts significantly past that point toward your nose, try grooming them slightly further apart to see how it opens up your gaze.
- Experiment with "half-lashes": Instead of a full strip of false lashes, use individuals or a half-strip on the outer corners only. This is the "secret weapon" for celebrities with close set eyes to get that cat-eye lift without overcrowding the face.
- Review your shadow palette: Swap out dark inner-corner colors for a champagne or soft pearl shimmer to instantly brighten and "widen" your look.