CANTHAL TILT GUIDE
🔼 Positive canthal tilt
Outer corners sit higher than the inner corners
What a positive canthal tilt is
A positive canthal tilt means the outer corner of each eye sits higher than the inner corner, so the eye angles slightly upward. It is the lifted look people mean by “almond” or “cat eye,” but it is only the angle. You can have a positive tilt and still be hooded, monolid, or round. The tilt tells you where a wing should follow; the lid tells you whether that wing will disappear into a fold.
- ✓Draw an imaginary horizontal line through both inner corners. Your outer corners sit above it
- ✓The eye looks slightly lifted at rest, before any liner
- ✓A wing that follows your lash line already flicks upward
- ✓Pulling the outer corner up changes very little — it is already there
Eyeliner, shadow, and lashes
Liner: Follow the natural lift. A short wing along the existing angle is enough; an aggressively steep wing fights an eye that is already tilted. Keep the line close to the lash root.
Eyeshadow: A soft outer-V in the direction of the tilt lengthens the eye. Stacking shimmer only in the center, with no outer depth, ignores the angle you have.
Lashes: Slightly more length at the outer third supports the lift. A very curled outer lash that points straight up can cancel the tilt and make the eye look rounder.
How this relates to eye shape
Upturned eyes are the eye-shape name for this angle. If a fold of skin covers your lid, you are also hooded — read that guide before you copy a winged look from an open lid.
🔼 Upturned eyes guide →Not sure of your tilt?
One mirror check. No photo and no sign-up.
Take the free canthal tilt test →The other tilts
Frequently asked questions
What is a positive canthal tilt?
The outer corner of the eye sits higher than the inner corner. The eye angles upward. It describes the corner position only, not whether you have a crease, a hood, or a monolid.
Is a positive canthal tilt the same as almond eyes?
No. Almond describes a tapered eye where the iris touches the top and bottom lids. Positive tilt describes the corner angle. You can be almond and neutral, or round and positive. Take the eye shape quiz if you want the full placement, not just the wing angle.