Monolid Vs. Double Lid: What's the Difference?

Have you ever heard the saying, "The eyes are a window to the soul"? Your focus on someone's eyes has probably only been on the color, but something else makes our eyes look different from the rest. Your eye structure is also different from that of your family members or friends.

Having a monolid or double lid is primarily a question of genetics. However, other factors, such as various medical conditions, can impact your eye shape.

To understand better if you have a monolid or double eyelid, read our descriptions and learn the key differences between these two types.

Understanding Monolid Eyelids

Monolid is an eyelid type that has skin folded on the upper eyelid. With monolid eyes, you will not be able to notice a crease line below the brow, as you would with double eyelids. Monolids are also sometimes called epicanthal folds. If you look into the monolid eyes, it will appear to you as if they have a single eyelid, hence the name.

Although there is a common misconception that all people of Asian descent have monolid eyes, this is far from the truth.

There are many eyelid variations in different Asian regions, so you can easily find people with double eyelids across the continent. Research suggests that every 1 out of 2 people of Asian descent will have monolid eyes, with the majority of them being of East Asian descent.

That is why cosmetic surgery offers cosmetic procedures such as Korean eyelid surgery, referring to single eyelids being transformed into a double eyelid type.

What Are Double Eyelids?

Unlike monolid eyes, double ones have an eyelid crease, separating visually the eyelids into two parts. This eye anatomy structure can be found among many ethnicities, including Asian, African, Middle Eastern, and Caucasian.

The double eyelids tend to be a more common gene between the two eye shapes. However, there are also differences between people with double eyelids.

For instance, some double eyelids will be more defined than others with the visible crease, while another double eyelid could have an almost invisible crease.

As we've said before, a double eyelid will most often be caused by genetics. Still, factors like aging, fat accumulation, eyelid muscle weakening, or ptosis can all contribute to having double eyelids.

Double Eyelid Surgery

If you were born with a monolid eye shape, you could transform them into double ones with the help of cosmetic surgery. This cosmetic procedure is often called Asian eyelid surgery and Korean eyelid surgery, the names for a blepharoplasty procedure of turning a person's monolids into a double eyelid shape. However, blepharoplasty procedures can also help you improve the look of your upper and lower lids.

A double eyelid surgery forms the eyelid crease and creates double eyelids. It is the most popular cosmetic procedure in the East Asian population, and it's offered to patients via incision or without it.

Both types are efficient in removing sagging skin, eye bags, or droopy eyelids, but the surgeon makes the final decision as they will know best if you're a good candidate for these procedures.

Most people get double eyelid surgery to make their eyes pop and look like they have a natural crease. Other cosmetic reasons might include getting double eyelids because they allow you to use a range of makeup styles.

If you're interested in getting a double eyelid look, remember it is typically not covered by medical insurance because it is a cosmetic surgery rather than something that impacts your health in any way.

Makeup Tips for Monolids

If you apply proper makeup tips, your monolid eyes could look very classy. These are the most common eye makeup tips for those who have monolid eyelids:

• Buy a quality primer to avoid makeup smudges, which occur more in people with monolids than double eyelids because of the eye anatomy.
• Choose makeup products that last longer to ensure your makeup stays exactly as you want it the entire time.
• Be mindful of your skin tone when choosing colors to apply to your eye area. Each tone has a set of colors that suit it best.
• To create a visible crease line, choose slightly darker matte colors to apply the eyeshadow below the brow bone and create an upper lash line.

Makeup Tips for Double Eyelids

As a person with a double eyelid shape, you should keep your crease in mind when applying makeup. These are the recommendations to make your upper eyelids shine:

• Invest in good primer because those with a shallow crease and hooded eyes must avoid smudging.
• Buy a quality mascara to create a longer eyelash effect and draw more attention to your deep crease eyelids.
• Apply colors to your upper eyelids that match the color of your eyes and make them stand out. In the inner corner of your eye, apply gradient eyeshadow horizontally to darker as you approach the outside corner.

Conclusion

There is nothing wrong with having any natural eye shape. If you decide to have double eyelid surgery, it might be to remove the extra tissue around your eyelids, highlight your brow area, or change how your eye skin folds, but rarely is it because your eyelid shapes affect your health.

Before making any decision, it's best to contact plastic surgeons. Otherwise, you can apply certain eyelid makeup tricks to ensure your eyes look even more beautiful.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Monolids the Same as the Hooded Eyelids?

Monolids and hooded eyelids are two different conditions. When someone has hooded eyes, it typically means their excess skin below the brow bone folds over their upper eyelid. A person with hooded eyelids might appear more tired or uninterested, so it might be their reason to get rid of the excess skin directly with eyelid lift surgery.

Can Ptosis Cause Monolids?

Monolids should not be confused with ptosis. Drooping of your upper eyelid is known as ptosis, and people with monolids complain about the same as those with ptosis. Both groups will feel as if they look tired, bored, or older, so they might look for cosmetic procedures to solve this issue.

What Is the Main Difference Between Monolids and Double Eyelids?

The main difference between monolids and double eyelids is the crease. Monolid eyelids will not have a crease and epicanthic folds over the upper eyelid, while double eyelids will have a visible line dividing their eyelid into two parts.