How to Define the Outer V
Each of us has different eye shapes and sizes, and finding that “outer V” can be challenging at times. Here is a tutorial to show you how to find that outer V and what various tools you can use to enhance your look…
- Start by imagining a line connecting the outer part of your eye to the outer edge of your eyebrow- that is the first line of the “V”.
- The other line of the “V” is the outer part of your crease- about 1/3 of the way in.
- Depending on the size of your eye or your eye shape, you can use different brushes to define the outer V. Here are some optional tools (these are not the ONLY tools you can use- just the ones I can think of that may help):
MAC 217 Blending Brush
This brush is best for those with larger eyes as you have more lid space to work with. The stiff bristles get right into that nitch where the two lines connect to a V.
Posh Crease Brush
This brush is slightly larger and fluffier than a pencil brush. It is best for those with smaller eyes as the bristles are smaller and easier to get into the crease.
MAC 275 Angled Shading Brush or Bare Escentuals Eye Defining Brush
This brush works for just about anyone as the angled bristles allow you to easily “draw” the outer V on your lid. It is not my favorite brush as I haven’t found many other uses for it, but it does work well if you have trouble defining the V.
MAC 219 Pencil Brush
This brush works best if you want a very defined outer V, or if you have a single eyelid and want a very crisp crease. The only problem I have is that it is a bit more difficult to blend out.
Once you find the best brush for you, it just takes practice and time to get “your” technique perfected!

omg ur amazing i was hoping some1 would do a tutorial about the outer V when doing make-up!!! muah thanks so much!! have a good one!!
Thanks again! I just read today that the small angled shading brush 272 by MAC should be discontinued. So if someone still wants it…
thank you sooooo much again for this!!!!
You rock! Thank you for posting this tutorial! I’ve been trying to re-create your looks, but was never able to b/c I didn’t know where my “outer v” was! Now I know!
)
this tutorial was awesome! now i can actually attempt to do your other amazing tutorials. thanks!
LOVIN it Marlena!! You are the absolute BESTEST and give SOOOOOO much TRULY helpful advice to us all!! Thanks a TON sweetie!!!!!!!!
Thanks! Now I have to go practice! Keep the tutorials coming, I love them!
Wow. I was just thinking about this the other day! I did my friend’s makeup and her outer V was so easy to find, but when I do mine, I find it more challenging to get it right due to the shape of my eyes.Although I never have problems defining my crease….but somehow making the line stick out for the outer V to be even on both sides…that’s been more difficult. lol
Thanks so much! I have tried to do the outer v sveral times and it just ended up looking like a mess. I figured it was the brush/eyeshadow, but it turns out I did not have the technique right at all! Thanks for explaining it so well ^__^
Wow what a great tutorial! I have smaller Asian eyes, and defining the outer V was difficult at first, but after months and months of practice, I got the hang of it! Thanks for the great website.
THANKS! BUT MY PROBLEM IS I CANT KEEP THE SHADOW ON THE BRUSH AS WELL AS YOU. IT SEEMS LIKE THE EYE SHADOW DOES FLOW AS EASILY AS IT DOES FOR YOU. HELP!
What brush and eyeshadow are you using? Also, are you using a sticky base? “sticky” bases are great for packing on color, but not always easy to blend over…
MAC SHADOWS AND BRUSHES I HAVE ARE 239 224 219 228 266 AND ALSO BRUSHES LIKE THE POSH BRUSH YOU MENTIONED. FOR BASE I USE SUBLIME NATURE PAINT
Use the 239 to pack on some shadow on the lid- it should stick with the base on there. Then take the 224 brush and a lighter color and blend in the crease. Wipe off the brush and sweep some highlight under the brow.
This will get you a basic look to get started, then we can go from there
Hi Marlena,
I found your explanation very useful, thanks for the tips and tricks:-) Love your site and tutorials!
hi marlena,
when u were blending the black colour on gold lid with 217 ,u said once u’ve blended too much…can u please tell where one has to stop blending as when i saw u blending black color and whn u stop it seems that u have well blended black with gold bt according to you it was more than u usually do….is it we have to stop blending where u still see the outer V h line …i hope u understand what i wanted to ask.
Marlena,
i loved how you included at the very end how you can find your natural crease by opening your eyes. i have eyes just like you but it’s important to know this if your working on others. I LOVE THIS SITE!
Hi Marlena,
You menitoned in your tut that if you have a smaller eye it might be difficult to use the 217 brush to do blending for this particular look. I don’t have the posh brush (yet) do you think the 222 brush is ok to use also?
Thank you so much Marlena for this great tutorial!
I’m 29 and just started out on makeup about a year ago. I was always so overwhelmed with all the choices of makeup
But I finally started and I’m loving it! I have a question though. I have green- turquoise eyes, brunette hair and have warm undertones. So to make my eyes pop I tried purples and plums and such. But those colors just don’t look right on me. Colors that suit me are usually browns, bronzes and golds… Can you give any suggestions what other colors might work well with my eyecolor?
Thanks again so much!! Love your videos!
Janine
Hi Janine,
I would say to try some blues and greens
I still think it’s hard to find my “V”. I don’t have a big lid space; instead, I have a big space between my crease and my eyebrows.
Hi marlena! thank you so much for posting this, I’ve just discovered the world of makeup and it’s pretty overwhelming, your videos help ALOT! I had a question about my outer V- is it ok if the first part of the V that you do- not the crease part, the part where you pretend there’s a line from the edge of your eye to the edge of your eyebrow- is it ok if that first line hits my brow bone? I can’t seem to make much of a line unless it touches the brow bone. Is that ok, or am I drawing it too high?
Thanks once again!!
WOW Marlena! That was super helpful! Thank you for posting it! I love your videos.
hi im 34 and never have worn eye shadow, just because i never knew how to apply it. i feel very inspired watching you and panacea81, but i have come across a few problems. i am indian my eyes are green and they are a bit crepey, not smooth like yours, when i try putting on eye shadow it just ends up looking like a dirty mess not like yours where it looks well defined and clean. i am thinking i should just give up and carry on as before. hope u can help thanks in advance.
I tried to do this and it just was not working for my eye. My eyes are weird. They’re really round and I’m Japanese, so my eyelids are somewhere in between a mono-lid and a big, prominent double-lid. Plus my eyelid kinda folds over my lash line which is just plain annoying!
Let me know when you’re ready to come over to California so you can see how funny my eyes are!
hi marlenaaaa
love your videos but i was wondering since my eyebrows are longer and pull out to the side more how would i measure where my first line goes? i have the same size and shape of your eyes but my eyebrows are a bit longer.
Hi Marlena,
I can’t seem to find this video tutorial, i really wanted to find this out
GREAT tutorial! Thanks
thank you so much for this outer V tutorial! It totally clarifies the subject for me, where I have been bewildered and bemused to it’s location before. This was very very helpful! Thanks!
Thank you SO much!
I love your blog, I recently got addicted to your tutorials and this particular one is really helpful. THANK YOU SO MUCH Marlena
I especially love how you focus on eye makeup tutorials because eye makeup are my thing too
I just wanted to say your awesome. I love your videos. I’v seen alot of tut videos, but yours are helpful. you’re clear, precise. you don’t speak to us like were idiots. I’ve seen all of them from how to do apply contour & blush smokey eye in pink. keep up the good work, dudette.
I’m going through some vintage videos of yours, and I wish I had done it sooner! some amazing tips.