If you’re active on TikTok, chances are you’ve seen posts about negative canthal tilts. But what does this facial feature really look like, and does it actually affect your attractiveness? If you're searching for answers, you've come to the right place! We’ve put together a comprehensive guide on negative canthal tilts, covering what they are, why they’ve gained so much traction on TikTok, and whether they impact someone's appeal (spoiler: they don’t!). Keep reading to find out all the details you need to know.
So, what exactly is a negative canthal tilt?
A negative canthal tilt occurs when the outer corners of your eyes sit lower than the inner corners, causing your eyes to angle downward. This has become a hot topic on TikTok, where some users mistakenly claim that negative canthal tilts are less attractive than positive ones.
How to Approach This Trend
What is a negative canthal tilt?

- There's also the possibility of having a neutral canthal tilt, where the outer and inner corners of your eyes are level, meaning your eyes don't tilt up or down.
- Canthal tilts are mostly determined by genetics, but aging can play a role too. As you get older, your eyes may take on a more downturned look.
Why has negative canthal tilt become a trending topic on TikTok?

- Generally, they argued that downturned eyes give off a sad or tired look, whereas upturned eyes make someone appear more youthful, alert, and feminine.
- This discussion is part of the broader “looksmaxxing” trend, where some men obsess over improving their physical appearance to attract women. They claim that a negative canthal tilt means “prey eyes” (i.e., weakness), while a positive canthal tilt signals “hunter eyes” (i.e., strength and beauty).
- These claims contribute to harmful and unrealistic beauty standards, making people insecure about a perfectly normal feature.
- Furthermore, these ideas are inaccurate—many celebrities widely regarded as icons of beauty actually have negative canthal tilts.
- We’ll dive deeper into whether canthal tilt affects attractiveness below.
Does having a negative canthal tilt impact attractiveness?

- For instance, many people find downturned eyes to exude a dreamy, soulful, and ethereal charm.
- In fact, there was even a TikTok beauty trend called “puppy dog eyeliner,” designed to enhance a more downturned and rounded eye shape.

- Marilyn Monroe, Anne Hathaway, Sydney Sweeney, Katie Holmes, Laura Harrier, Camilla Belle, Princess Diana, Lucy Hale, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Emma Chamberlain, Britney Spears, Timothée Chalamet, Henry Cavill, James McAvoy, Jacob Elordi
How to Address a Negative Canthal Tilt

- Makeup. For eyes that angle downward, certain makeup techniques can create the illusion of a more upturned look. For example, cosmetologist Shun Pittman suggests using cat-eye eyeliner to lift the eyes. Some TikTok users even use the positive canthal tilt filter to guide their eyeliner application.
- Non-invasive treatments. If the downturned look is due to aging, you can consider treatments designed to restore a youthful appearance. These include options like laser therapy, chemical peels, botox, or fillers.
- Surgical options. Surgical procedures such as blepharoplasty, brow lifts, or mid-face lifts are available. However, surgery is a big decision and permanent, so it’s crucial to make sure it's something you genuinely want. If you opt for surgery, it should be because it makes you feel empowered, not because you feel pressured by beauty standards on social media.
- Lifestyle changes. Puffy eyes can draw attention to the area. Getting enough sleep, staying hydrated, and using cooling eye masks can help reduce puffiness and dark circles. While these won’t change the tilt, they can help improve the overall harmony of your face and keep the focus elsewhere.
Key Takeaways

- In particular, the connection between positive canthal tilts and femininity can be especially harmful to trans women. If a trans woman has a negative canthal tilt and comes across this narrative on TikTok, she may feel the need to change something that is completely normal. The truth is, canthal tilt has no connection to gender, and many women, including cisgender women, naturally have negative or neutral canthal tilts.
- Additionally, trends focused on upturned eyes, such as the “fox eye” makeup and certain plastic surgery procedures, can be offensive and culturally appropriative. Asian people, who have often faced discrimination for the very facial features now being celebrated, may find these trends particularly troubling.

- If you've encountered these harmful discussions on social media and they're causing you to feel insecure or anxious about your appearance, remember that there is nothing wrong with having a negative canthal tilt. You are beautiful just the way you are, and there's no need to change a thing!