The Eye Area
The eye area is undeniably the most critical feature of an attractive face. It’s where emotions are expressed and where others focus their attention. From the shape of your eyes to the tilt, spacing, and even the surrounding features like eyebrows and lashes, the eyes define much of your facial harmony.
Eye Shape
Eye shape significantly influences facial aesthetics. Common shapes include almond, round, hooded, and monolid, each offering unique appeal. For men, the most attractive eye shapes are typically almond with slight hooding. This combination creates what is often referred to as ‘hunter eyes’—deep-set, slightly narrowed eyes that project confidence, intensity, and dominance. Hunter eyes often have a positive canthal tilt and are framed by defined brow ridges, further enhancing their aesthetic impact. Typically, men’s eyes should be 2.8x —> 3.8x wider then they are tall.
The images above perfectly highlight the difference between typical almond eyes and ‘hunter’ eyes. Matt Bomer (left) has a more almond-shaped eye with a visible crease and increased upper eyelid exposure. In contrast, Sean O’Pry (right) displays ‘hunter’ eyes, characterized by a wider eye width and extremely hooded lids, which gives him a more intense, predatory look.
The Medial Canthus
An often overlooked part of eye aesthetics is the medial canthus, the inner corner of the eye. For an ideal eye shape, men typically have a sharp, slightly elongated, and downturned medial canthus, which contributes to a more predatory or intense appearance, enhancing the overall eye shape. In rare cases, some men possess very long and downturned medial canthi, combined with features like wide eye width, hooded eyelids, and a positive canthal tilt. This unique combination creates a dramatic, feline eye look, often associated with sharpness, mystery, and a sense of power, giving the eyes an almost exotic and captivating allure. Atesh Salih is the best example of this.
Canthal Tilt
Canthal tilt refers to the angle formed by the inner and outer corners of the eyes. A positive canthal tilt, where the outer corner of the eye is slightly higher than the inner corner, is often associated with youthfulness, alertness, and a more attractive gaze. Conversely, a negative canthal tilt, where the outer corner is lower than the inner corner, can give the eyes a tired or drooping appearance. The ideal canthal tilt in a man is between 5° and 8°.
Eye Colour
Eye colour often dominates discussions about beauty, but its influence on attractiveness is commonly overstated. While certain eye colours, such as blue or green, tend to be idealised due to their rarity and cultural associations, the reality is more nuanced. Eye area attractiveness is not solely dependent on the shade of the iris but rather on how the eye colour interacts with other features, particularly skin tone, sclera brightness, and overall contrast.
Contrast Makes the Difference
In images of Jeremy Meeks (left), his striking light blue-gray eyes pop dramatically due to the high contrast with his darker skin tone. This stark contrast draws immediate attention to his eyes, making them a focal point of his face. The vibrant clarity of his sclera’s further enhances this effect, giving his gaze an intense quality.
In contrast, Sean O’Pry (right) has a similarly light eye colour, but paired with a fair skin tone. The reduced contrast between his iris and skin makes his eyes less of a standout feature. While still aesthetically pleasing, they don’t dominate his facial aesthetic the way Meeks’ eyes do.
Eyelashes
Unlike eye colour, the importance of eyelashes tends to be understated when it comes to eye aesthetics. Eyelashes play a crucial role in enhancing the depth and definition of the eyes. Long, thick, and well-defined lashes not only add a natural frame to the eyes but also create a sense of openness and vibrancy, making the eyes appear larger and more expressive. For men, ideal eyelashes are dark, thick, dense, long and upturned. Just look at the difference eyelash maxing can make to an eye area:
