The term “hunter eyes” has blown up in looksmaxxing circles, forums, reddit and TikTok videos. Everyone wants them.
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But can you actually get hunter eyes if you weren’t born with them?
This article cuts through the noise. No magical claims. No filler advice. Just a full breakdown of what hunter eyes are, what causes them, and what you can realistically do to improve the area around your eyes.
What Are Hunter Eyes?
Hunter eyes are defined by several distinct characteristics:
- Deep-set eyes that sit further back in the skull
- A positive canthal tilt, where the outer corner of the eye sits slightly higher than the inner corner
- Low upper eyelid exposure, giving a more intense or “sleepy” look
- Minimal scleral show, meaning the white part of the eye is not visible under the iris
- A narrow horizontal eye aperture with a strong, compact appearance
These features give off a more masculine, predatory, and stoic vibe. In contrast, “prey eyes” describe more open, rounded eyes that show more white under the iris and appear more alert or startled.
Scientific research supports the appeal of canthal tilt.
Can You Actually Change Your Eye Structure?
This is where most of the cope happens. People chase eye traits that are largely determined by their skull shape and bone structure. The placement of your orbital bones, the projection of your midface, and the angle of your canthal tendon are all genetic factors that define your eye shape.
You cannot “train” your eyes into being deep-set. You cannot tongue posture your way into a different orbital bone structure. And you cannot significantly shift your canthal tilt without surgical intervention.
So no, you cannot create true hunter eyes from scratch if your anatomy does not support it. But that doesn’t mean you can’t dramatically improve the appearance of your eye area. The right changes can make your eyes appear more attractive, more structured, and more “hunter-like” even without surgery.
That’s what the rest of this article will focus on. Improving what you can control.
What You Can Improve Around the Eye Area
Even if you can’t physically move your orbital bones or genetically engineer your canthal tilt, there are several changes you can make that affect how your eyes look.
Below are the main things you can control.
1. Reduce Puffiness and Inflammation
Puffy eyes are one of the most common reasons eyes look rounded, tired, or “prey-like.” Reducing puffiness can immediately make the eye area appear deeper and more defined.
Key factors:
- Lower salt intake: Sodium causes water retention, especially under the eyes.
- Improve sleep hygiene: Sleep deprivation increases cortisol and fluid buildup.
- Hydration: Chronic dehydration worsens puffiness.
- Manage allergies: Histamine reactions cause fluid buildup and irritation in the periorbital area.
- Cold compresses: Using chilled eye masks or cold spoons constricts blood vessels and reduces swelling.
2. Reduce Facial Fat Around the Orbit
Even a modest drop in body fat can create the illusion of deeper eyes and stronger facial structure. Higher body fat levels tend to blur bone definition, especially around the eyes and cheeks.
Losing fat won’t change your skull shape, but it does:
- Make the eye socket look more recessed
- Sharpen the cheekbones and orbital ridge
- Improve skin tension and firmness
Targeting fat only in the face isn’t realistic, but dropping overall body fat to 10–13 percent for men will usually start to show changes in the midface and orbital area.
3. Improve Upper Eyelid Exposure
Some people have excess upper eyelid skin or soft tissue that gives their eyes a sleepy or droopy appearance. This can be due to genetics, age, or inflammation. Improving this exposure sharpens the eye shape.
Things that help:
- Retinol or eye creams with caffeine and peptides to improve skin tone
- Cold therapy for daily de-puffing
- Botox or brow-lifting techniques (more on this later)
- Good eyebrow grooming to clean up the orbital frame
The goal isn’t to make your eyelids thinner but to remove excess swelling and highlight the natural contour of your orbital area.
4. Strengthen Orbicularis Tone
The orbicularis oculi is the muscle that surrounds your eye and controls squinting and tension. With stronger control and tone, your eye shape can appear slightly more lifted and defined.
Simple practices:
- Face tension exercises that engage the eye area
- Gentle squinting drills to train micro-movements
- Cold water rinses to reduce puffiness and stimulate vascular tone
These won’t magically sculpt your eye socket, but they can tighten the surrounding tissue and reduce a saggy or sleepy look.
The Truth About Eye Area Exercises and “Squint Training”
Some routines online promote eye muscle training to improve eyelid tone or lift.
Here’s what might help:
- Gentle isometric holds (light squinting with controlled release)
- Relaxation drills for people with chronic face tension
- Cold rinsing and eye massages to stimulate lymphatic drainage
These won’t transform your eye shape but can:
- Slightly improve tension in the orbicularis oculi
- Help reduce puffiness
- Improve control over your resting expression
Just don’t expect miracles.
Final Take: Focus on What You Can Control
The reality is that true hunter eyes are mostly the result of genetics and skeletal structure, things you can’t change without surgery.
Still, that doesn’t mean you’re powerless. You can significantly improve the way your eye area looks by reducing puffiness, lowering body fat, improving posture, and framing your eyes with good grooming.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you actually get hunter eyes naturally?
No. You can improve the appearance of your eyes, but true hunter eyes depend on bone structure like deep orbital sockets and high canthal tilt. These cannot be changed without surgery.
Are hunter eyes more attractive?
Yes, studies suggest that deep-set eyes with a slight upward tilt (positive canthal tilt) are perceived as more attractive, especially in male faces. They convey strength, focus, and symmetry.
What’s the safest way to improve my eye area?
Start with reducing puffiness, cleaning up your eyebrow framing, getting leaner, and improving your sleep and hydration. These changes are low-risk and can make a big visual difference.
Is surgery the only way to get real hunter eyes?
Yes. Procedures like canthoplasty or orbital decompression are the only ways to significantly alter eye position and tilt, but they come with real risks and should not be taken lightly.