Fox eyes: a trending eyelid surgery

Popularised by famous influencers and stars such as Bella Hadid and Kendall Jenner, the « fox eyes » trend has won over many young women who want an elongated, mysterious look — either through plastic surgery (notably via canthopexy) or through non-surgical methods. It is also referred to as « foxy eyes » or « yeux de renard » (fox eyes). Here is what you need to know about this trending eyelid surgery.

What is the fox eye?

The fox eye (« fox eye » or « doe eye »), also known as the cat’s eye, is an aesthetic enhancement designed to stretch the eyes outward to achieve an almond shape with slightly raised eyebrows. This trend is now seen as an attractive asset that combines softness and character on the face.

The fox eye amounts to a combination of more or less invasive therapies, used alone or together, that raise the outer part of the eyebrow and open up the eyes. The result looks enigmatic and sensual, meeting the latest beauty standards.

Who is the fox eyes eyelid surgery for?

The eyelid surgery used to stretch the eyes is sought, in the vast majority of cases, by women, although men may request it too. It is generally popular with young women aged 20 to 40 who want a more alluring look.

This type of procedure can, however, also address concerns linked to natural ageing, where the eyelids grow heavier over time and the tail of the eyebrow droops, rounding the shape of the eyes and giving the face a tired appearance.

Finally, the eyelid surgery may suit patients who naturally have rounded eyes and a heavy look, and who therefore want to stretch the eyes for a more elongated, lifted appearance.

Surgical procedures for almond-shaped eyes

Eyelid surgery to stretch and rejuvenate the eyes most often comes down to 2 specific procedures: canthopexy and the temporal lift.

Canthopexy, the preferred option for fox eyes

The most common surgical procedure for achieving almond-shaped eyes is canthopexy. Very close to canthoplasty (which alters the structure) but less invasive, it consists of stretching and/or raising the outer corner of the eyes (the lateral canthus), where the lower and upper eyelids meet. The lateral canthus is detached after an incision so it can be repositioned higher than the inner canthus (this is referred to as fixing the structure, hence the term « pexy »). Re-tensioning the outer corner of the eye removes the round-eyed appearance.

This procedure can be performed under general anaesthesia or under local anaesthesia with sedation, depending on the option chosen together with the patient. It can take between 30 minutes and 2 hours depending on the technique used. Recovery is relatively minor, generally with simple swelling that fades naturally over time and very discreet scars. The final, long-lasting results are visible after 2 weeks.

This is the route that offers the most durable result: a retrospective review of patients who had undergone lateral canthopexy, published in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (Tepper et al., 2015), reported a success rate considered satisfactory by 86% of surgeons and 91% of patients. Unlike non-surgical methods, the effect does not wear off after a few months, even though it remains subject to the natural ageing of the tissues.

The temporal lift

The temporal lift, or brow lift, is another option for achieving almond-shaped eyes. It can be performed on its own or combined with a lateral canthopexy to maximise the results. It consists of lifting the skin around the eyes to remove excess fat and skin, in order to smooth the wrinkles in that area and so reduce their appearance. Crow’s feet (at the outer corner of the eye), which noticeably age the look, are particularly targeted.

The temporal lift also raises the eyebrow and tightens the muscles around the eyes, again giving the eyes a younger, more mysterious appearance. It is therefore generally aimed at a different target group than canthopexy — namely patients over 40 whose goal is to counter the first effects of age and skin ageing. When the laxity affects the whole upper third of the face, it can be incorporated into a facelift focused on the upper third.

A blepharoplasty can be combined with the temporal lift to correct drooping lower eyelids (notably under-eye hollows and bags) and give the eyes even more tone. You will find more details on blepharoplasty results over time in a dedicated article.

Non-surgical procedures to stretch the eyes

Other, less invasive methods can achieve the « fox eyes » look, or at least come close to it.

Aesthetic medicine for temporary, reversible fox eyes

Almond-shaped eyes can also be achieved through aesthetic medicine, with hyaluronic acid injections or botulinum toxin (or both combined) at the tail of the eyebrow.

Hyaluronic acid aims to re-tension the skin in the area around the eyes, thereby reducing the appearance of wrinkles.

Botox, for its part, both relaxes the orbicularis muscle and contracts the muscles responsible for frown lines (the procerus and corrugators). Combining these 2 effects raises and opens up the eyes further. It is this simple, quick technique that produces the « fox eyes botox » look so often seen in before-and-after photos: the difference stays subtle and natural, the goal being to open up the eyes without freezing the expression.

Aesthetic medicine thus achieves the fox eyes look in a temporary and therefore reversible way, without surgery. The effect is visible for 4 to 6 months with botulinum toxin and up to a year with hyaluronic acid.

Thread lifts for almond-shaped eyes

Using absorbable or permanent tensor threads can also come close to the « fox eyes » effect. This procedure involves making micro-incisions around the eye to insert small barbed threads that anchor deep into the dermis, creating a permanent traction effect at the eyebrow. This stretches the outer corner of the eye and raises the tail of the eyebrow by up to about 1 cm. Absorbable tensor threads also trigger new collagen synthesis, which re-tensions and firms the skin. The choice of material matters: we explain the differences between PDO, PLLA and PCL absorbable threads in a dedicated article.

This is again a temporary, reversible method for tightening the skin around the eyes and rejuvenating the look. Its effect is visible for a period of between 6 months and a year. The first studies dedicated to thread-lift « fox eyes » do, however, call for caution about its durability: a paper published in 2025 (Adel et al., Eye Brow Thread Lift: The Fox Eyes Technique) reported high patient satisfaction, but assessed only up to one month after the procedure, with the lifting effect gradually fading thereafter. This is why this type of technique should be thought of as a touch of sparkle to maintain, rather than a result achieved once and for all.

Make-up

Finally, the least invasive method of all but also the least durable, make-up offers the chance to achieve a result more or less close to the « fox eye ». To do this, using eyeshadow combined with a very tight, slicked-back ponytail stretches the eyes outward for the length of an evening. This is known as the « ponytail lift ».

How much does a « fox eyes » procedure to stretch the eyes cost?

The price of a procedure to stretch the eyes depends on the technique used, the condition of the patient’s skin and the extent of the procedure. As a guide:

• for a canthopexy (the surgical fox eyes), you should generally expect to pay between €3,000 and €4,000;
• the temporal lift falls within a comparable range;
• aesthetic medicine procedures (injections, tensor threads) start from €400 per session.

In every case, it is recommended to have an initial consultation with a specialist surgeon to obtain a detailed quote based on the desired goal and the particularities of your skin and face.