What Is a Positive Canthal Tilt & Is It Attractive?

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Looksmaxxing authority Austin Wayne explains why so many people want a positive canthal tilt

Co-authored by Austin Wayne and Bailey Cho

Last Updated: April 15, 2026 Fact Checked

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• Positive Canthal Tilt Meaning
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• Is it attractive?
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• Getting a Positive Canthal Tilt
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• Measuring Your Canthal Tilt
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• The Bottom Line
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• Video

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A positive canthal tilt refers to the tilt of your eyes, which is considered a sign of attractiveness by TikTokers and members of the looksmaxxing community. Still confused? No worries! We’re explaining everything you need to know about positive canthal tilts, with exclusive insights from a looksmaxxing authority. We’ll also teach you how achieve a positive canthal tilt, measure your canthal tilt, and more!

What does a positive canthal tilt mean?

Looksmaxxing authority Austin Wayne says a positive canthal tilt is when the inner and outer parts of the eye create an upward angle. It’s determined by genetics, but can be achieved with makeup, Botox, or cosmetic surgery. Many people consider it attractive because it makes the eyes look more youthful and uplifted.

Steps

Section 1 of 5:

What is a positive canthal tilt?

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1. 
   A positive canthal tilt is when the eye’s outer corner sits higher than the inner corner. Canthal tilt refers to the angle between the outer and inner corners of the eyes. According to Wayne, a positive canthal tilt occurs when the inner and outer parts of the eye form an upward angle, rather than sitting straight at 180 degrees. It “makes the eyes look a little perkier” and like they have “a bit more life to them.”

   • What’s the ideal angle for a positive cantal tilt? Although subjective, the ideal positive canthal tilt is between 5 and 8 degrees, with some studies even suggesting up to 15 degrees for women.
   • What’s a negative canthal tilt? A negative canthal tilt occurs when the eye’s outer corner is lower than the inner corner. It’s perceived less positively as less attractive in the looksmaxxing community, notes Wayne.
   • What determines canthal tilt? Genetics determines whether you have a positive, negative, or neutral canthal tilt. However, aging, loss of skin elasticity, and muscle weakness can also cause your eyes to tilt downward over time.

   Meet the wikiHow Expert

   Austin Wayne is an aesthetics and looksmaxxing authority, ACE-certified personal trainer, and professional male model. He has 9 years of experience in fitness, aesthetics, and self-improvement.
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Section 2 of 5:

Is a positive canthal tilt attractive?

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1. 
   Yes, many people consider a positive canthal tilt as attractive. In the looksmaxxing community, Wayne highlights that people believe a positive canthal tilt makes the face look better and more masculine overall. In fact, some associate a positive canthal tilt with “predator” or “hunter eyes” (and a negative canthal tilt with “prey eyes”). It’s also deemed as more youthful and attractive in women, popularized in TikTok beauty trends like the “fox-eye” or “siren eye” look.

   • That said, beauty is subjective, and many looksmaxxers believe that facial harmony is more important than individuals features. Wayne adds that some people actually look better with a neutral canthal tilt.
   • Aesthetics & self-improvement coach Rorz agrees, stating that some guys with a negative canthal tilt can pull it off well. Jacob Elordi, for example, is a “very handsome guy with a negative canthal tilt, which adds to his appeal.”

Section 3 of 5:

How to Get a Positive Canthal Tilt

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1. 
   1
   Makeup If you have eyes that angle downward, use eyeliner and eyeshadow to make them look more upturned. Master cosmetologist Shun Pittman says cat eye eyeliner can add lift and help open the eyes. When it comes to eyeshadow, keep the inner corner to mid-lid light, and concentrate darkness on the outer half of the lash line, adds makeup artist Alicia D’Angelo.

   • There’s even a positive canthal tilt filter on TikTok, which many people use as a guide to apply winged eyeliner.
   • Alternatively, try shaving or tweezing the tail ends of your brows to lift your eyes and create the illusion of a positive canthal tilt.
2. 
   2
   Botox Botox can add some elevation and lift the brow, according to board-certified plastic surgeon Usha Rajagopal, MD. In fact, research shows that injecting Botox in specific muscles can subtly adjust the position of the lateral canthus (the outer corner of the eye where the upper and lower eyelids meet). So, find a skilled injector who can target the tail of the brow to help create a “cat eye” effect.

   • Botox generally lasts 3 to 6 months, so you’ll likely need to return for touch-ups to maintain the results.
   • While Botox injections are common, there can be side effects, so be sure to consult with a licensed medical professional before getting injected.
3. 
   3
   Cosmetic surgery If Botox and makeup aren’t effective, different surgical procedures can help you achieve a positive canthal tilt. Keep in mind that surgery is a big decision (with permanent results) that shouldn’t be taken lightly. Make sure it’s something you truly want, not just because you feel pressured by beauty trends on social media. If you decide to go through any of the following procedures, make sure the surgeon is board-certified and affiliated with a recognized hospital, stresses board-certified plastic surgeon Edward S. Kwak, MD.

   • Canthoplasty: This procedure lifts and secures the outer corner of the eye to a slightly higher position, creating a more lifted, almond-shaped eye. A surgeon makes a small incision at the outer corner of the eye, then tightens the eyelid tendon and muscle by pulling it into position.
   • Blepharoplasty: Also known as eyelid surgery, this procedure involves removing excess skin, muscle, and/or fatty tissue around the eyelid. In most cases, a surgeon makes an incision just below the lower lashline, removing excess skin and lifting the outer corners to achieve a more youthful, positive tilt.
   • Brow lift: This procedure lifts the outer brows and reduces upper lid heaviness, creating the appearance of a positive canthal tilt. There are various brow lift procedures, but the most common is an endoscopic brow lift, in which a surgeon makes short incisions in the scalp and inserts a scope and instruments to lift the tissue.
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Section 4 of 5:

How to Measure Your Canthal Tilt

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1. 
   Take a photo, then draw a line between the inner and outer corners of your eye. Make sure to take the photo with a relaxed head position, staring straight into the camera. Looking up at the camera can make your canthal tilt look more positive than it actually is. Use a ruler to draw a straight line connecting the inner and outer corners of both eyes, then analyze your results:

   • If you have a positive canthal tilt, the outer corner will be higher than the inner corner.
   • If you have a negative canthal tilt, the outer corner will be lower than the inner corner.
   • If you have a neutral canthal tilt, the line will be almost straight with no angle.

Section 5 of 5:

The Bottom Line

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1. Online discourse about canthal tilts and attractiveness can be harmful. When TikTokers claim that having a positive canthal tilt is attractive and having a negative canthal tilt is unattractive, it can cause insecurities in real life. Some people may seek cosmetic surgery to “fix” their “imperfections,” even though they weren’t concerned about them before. It also sets a very narrow, unrealistic standard of beauty that isn’t accurate or grounded in hard science.

   • At the end of the day, beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and a specific feature doesn’t define whether you’re good-looking or not.
   • If you’ve come across the topic of canthal tilt on social media and it’s making you feel insecure, remember, you’re beautiful just the way you are and don’t need to change a thing!
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