A term that used to belong strictly to plastic surgery consultations is now everywhere in K-beauty-only this time, it’s done with shading and line work instead of a scalpel. The trend is often described as “four-way eye-opening” makeup: creating the illusion that the eyes look wider in every direction (inner corner, outer corner, under-eye, and lower outer edge).

What makes it feel modern is the mindset: it’s not about forcing the eye shape into something unnatural. It’s about using controlled dimension to guide attention and make the eyes appear significantly larger while still respecting your natural structure.

Why It’s Trending (NingNing & Karina as Reference Moods)

This look gained momentum as idols like aespa’s NingNing and Karina popularized an eye makeup style that feels precise, sleek, and visually “engineered.” The placement is subtle but intentional - each shadow and line is arranged to tidy up facial “negative space” around the eye and pull focus toward the pupil. The result looks refined rather than exaggerated, which is why it’s especially appealing to Gen Z.

The Core Concept: Expand the “Perceived Eye Area,” Not the Eyeball

Instead of enlarging the eye with heavy eyeliner or thick waterline filling (which can actually make eyes look smaller), this technique builds a structured illusion:

• Inner corner looks more open with a soft brown haze (not a harsh point).
• Under-eye line is extended to redesign the lower boundary of the eye.
• Aegyo-sal (under-eye puff) is emphasized to increase vertical proportion.
• Outer extension is enhanced so the eye appears longer and more lifted

Think of it as creating a believable “new frame” around your natural eye.

Key Points That Make the Illusion Work

1) Inner corner: whisper-light shadow, not sharp cuts

The first step is letting a light brown shadow melt into the inner corner area to suggest openness - without drawing a dramatic triangular “cut” that can look dated.

2) Under-eye expansion is the main game-changer

If you want the full effect, the under-eye is where you can be bolder. Extending the lower line with soft brown dimension and shaping the aegyo-sal makes the eye appear wider horizontally and taller vertically at the same time.

3) Avoid heavy waterline filling

Overloading the waterline can make the eye look narrower and heavier. The modern answer is micro-layering: thin, controlled lines that stay airy.

4) Lashes should stretch outward

Finishing with lashes that get longer toward the outer side increases the sideward expansion and completes the “opened in every direction” illusion.

The Overall Mood It Creates

Done well, four-way eye-opening makeup doesn’t scream “big eyes.” It reads as: • cleaner eye definition
• more dimensional facial balance
• a subtle, addictive sharpness (especially in photos and video)

If you’ve been looking for a way to make your eyes appear larger without heavy liner or surgery-coded makeup, this is one of the most polished trends to reference right now.

Reference: wkorea