With the ever-evolving beauty industry, makeup trends come and go, but there are a few that make it into the public eye and become legendary. Two of these fads that have gained quite a lot of attention are Doe Eyes and Siren Eyes. Although both styles are designed to accentuate the eyes, they achieve this very differently, with each having its own charm and method of application.
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What Are Doe Eyes?
Doe eyes are all about achieving that wide-eyed, soft, and young look—think innocent and nearly doll-like. The name is derived from, you guessed it, a doe—a female deer with a gentle, rounded gaze. This classic eye look has been in existence for decades, thanks to legendary beauties such as Twiggy and Cher in the 1960s and ’70s. It’s one that speaks of “sweet and friendly” with a mere look.
How to Get the Doe Eye Look
Getting doe eyes is all about opening your appearance and making your eyes appear larger and more rounded. Here’s the secret to getting that soft, dreamy look:
Prime & Prep
Begin with an eye primer to provide your shadow with a smooth, even surface and extend its wear.
Soft Eyeliner
Use a brown eyeliner to line your upper lashes, and smudge it out lightly. You don’t want it harsh or graphic.
Light, Neutral Shadow
Place a light, nude-colored eyeshadow over your lids to make the eyes brighter and more lifted.
Brighten the Waterline
Apply a beige or white eyeliner on your lower waterline. This is a trick that makes your eyes look immediately wider and more alert.
Lengthen the Lashes
Complete with mascara on both upper and lower lashes, emphasizing length and separation for a wide, eye-opening, fluttery look.
The result? Soft, rounded eye shape that exudes innocence and playfulness—like your eyes are perpetually curious and full of wonder.
What Are Siren Eyes?
Siren eyes are the complete opposite of doe eyes—and that’s why they’re so much fun. This look is all about intensity, seduction, and sharp edges. Drawn from mythical sirens—the irresistible creatures of legend—this trend is meant to produce a lifted, elongated, sultry stare.
Thanks to TikHub, where beauty influencers started showcasing dramatic eye makeovers almost oozing mystery and confidence, the trend exploded in popularity.
How to Look like a Siren Eye
Ready to get dramatic? Here’s how to get that pinpoint, sultry siren eye:
Smoky Shadow Base
On the lid, apply a medium brown; then line the outer edges with darker shades. For that sensual, gradient effect, blend properly.
Tightline Your Eyes
To accent definition and strength, line waterlines at top and bottom with black eyeliner.
Winged Liner Time
Draw your eyeliner out from the outer corners, tilting slightly upwards to give the eye lift. Care here is crucial.
Inner Corner Detail
Place a touch of eyeliner in the inner corners of your eyes and bring it to join your upper and lower lash lines. This process lengthens the eye wonderfully.
Mascara & Optional Lashes
Target your mascara or fake lashes at the outer edges to draw attention to the lifted, fox-eye shape.
The last glance is intimidating, sharp, and downright captivating—like your eyes are guarding secrets worth exploring.
Doe Eyes vs. Siren Eyes: The Key Differences
| Feature | Doe Eyes | Siren Eyes |
| Overall Look | Soft, sweet, youthful | Bold, sultry, mysterious |
| Eye Shape | Rounded and open | Lifted and almond-shaped |
| Eyeliner | Smudged brown, subtle lines | Sharp black, dramatic wings |
| Eyeshadow | Light neutrals, brightening shades | Smoky tones, darker outer corners |
| Mascara Focus | Full, fluttery lashes all around | Emphasis on outer lashes |
| Inspiration | Retro beauty icons (Twiggy, Cher) | Mythology and modern TikTok glam |
Why These Eye Trends Matter
Both of these styles do more than make your eyes pop—they reveal something about who you are (or how you’re feeling on a given day). Doe eyes evoke a sense of innocence, nostalgia, and old-fashioned femininity. They’re soft, soothing, and a little bit romantic.
Siren eyes, on the other hand, draw on contemporary empowerment. They’re all about confidence, intrigue, and occupying space. The cutting edges and smoky undertones convey to the world that you’re not to be underestimated.
As beauty styles change, the one thing that never changes is our need to express ourselves—our mood, our identity, our creativity—through makeup. And eye makeup, as perhaps the most expressive aspect of any look, allows us to do this over and over again with infinite possibilities between softness and strength.
Which One Should You Try?
The good news? You don’t have to decide. You can be a doe one day and a siren the next—just like alternating between sweatpants and a power suit based on your mood.
- Heading out for coffee or brunch? Attempt the soft, warm doe-eye look.
- Heading out for the night or photo shoot? Unleash your inner siren and go edgy with strong lines and hot shadow.
Makeup is your playground. So, if you’re feeling soft and sweet or dark and daring, let your eyes show that energy.
Conclusion
Each of doe eyes and siren eyes possesses its own type of magic. Doe eyes transport us back to a gentler era, recalling warmth, wonder, and innocence. Siren eyes, on the other hand, call to us with power, drama, and an added dash of danger.
What is so gorgeous about these trends is that neither of them is “better” than the other. They’re just alternate interpretations of femininity, toughness, and artistry. So next time you go to pick up your eyeliner, take a moment and ask yourself: Do I desire to appear as a dream, or as a storm?
Either way, your eyes will be doing all the talking.
