How to Flip Eyelids Inside Out

Last Updated: March 5, 2023 References

Ever wanted to impress your friends and family or win the admiration of a love interest? Well, flipping your eyelids inside out may not accomplish all that -- but it will certainly freak them out! Learning this neat trick may be awkward and a bit painful at first, but practice makes professional, and after a few tries you'll be flipping your eyelids inside-out with grace and ease.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Using Two Hands

1
Pull your eyelid out. Using your forefinger and thumb, grab your upper eyelid and gently pull straight outwards (not up or down) the outer ridge of skin on your eyelid, not just your eyelash, as this may lead to you pulling out some eyelashes.
2
Press down on your eyelid. Using the forefinger of your other hand, gently press down on the center of your eyelid as you continue to hold it out. This requires some good coordination, so be careful not to poke your eye. It may take a couple tries to get it right -- but keep at it!^{[1]
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3
Pull your eyelid up. With your eyelid clasped between your forefinger and thumb, quickly withdraw the forefinger you used to press down with, and lift up with your forefinger and thumb. Make sure you take the forefinger out just a millisecond after you pull the eyelid up, otherwise it will not be flipped. This, too, may take a couple of attempts to get the timing right.^{[2]
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4
Repeat this process with your other eyelid. Follow the same steps you used for your other eyelid. If you're not ambidextrous, this may feel very awkward, but after a few tries you should begin to get the hang of it.
5
Return your eyelids to normal. After you are satisfied with your friends' freaked-out reactions, you'll probably want your eyelids back in normal, functioning order. Simply look up really hard with your eyes or blink really hard with your eyelids to return your eyelids to normal.^{[3]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Using the One-Hand Pinch

1
Pinch your eyelid. Using your forefinger and thumb, pinch your upper eyelid. Be sure to grab the outer ridge of skin on your eyelid, not just your eyelash, as this may lead to you pulling out some eyelashes.^{[5]
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2
Pull your eyelid up. Once you've got a good grip on your eyelid, pull it up above your eye, around where your eyebrow is. This will probably feel strange, so don't freak yourself out!^{[6]
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3
Press your eyelid. In one smooth motion, use your thumb to press your eyelid against the bone under your eyebrow (the supraorbital arch) and withdraw your forefinger. Your thumb will then be holding your eyelid up against your face without your forefinger.^{[7]
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4
Push your eyelid down. Now, with your thumb, gently push your eyelid down so that it folds over itself and flips inside-out. The push-force should be more against your face as you lower your eyelid with your thumb. This is so your eyelid doesn't slip from under your thumb.^{[9]
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5
Repeat this process with your other eyelid. Follow the same steps you used for your other eyelid. If you're not ambidextrous, this may feel very awkward, but after a few tries you should begin to get the hang of it.
6
Return your eyelids to normal. After you are satisfied with your friends' freaked-out reactions, you'll probably want your eyelids back in normal, functioning order. Simply look up really hard with your eyes or blink really hard with your eyelids to return your eyelids to normal.^{[10]
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Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Using the One-Hand "Peace Sign"

1
Make a "peace sign." Using the hand that is on the same side as the eyelid you wish to flip inside-out, make a peace sign using your middle and forefinger. A "peace sign" is when you hold up only your middle and forefinger and spread them apart like a pair of scissors.^{[12]
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2
Position your fingers around your eye. Place your forefinger above your eye and your middle finger below. Your forefinger should get under your upper eyelashes and then press and hold them above your eye, somewhere between the top of your eye and your eyebrow. Your middle finger should rest at the bottom of your eye.^{[13]
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3
Push down and lift. Now, with your middle finger, gently push down into your eye and lift up. The lifting motion should lift your lower eyelid up with your finger while gently pushing your eyeball back. Your upper eyelid should flip inside-out during this motion. This will probably take several attempts to get it right, so don't be frustrated.^{[14]
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4
Repeat this process with your other eyelid. Follow the same steps you used for your other eyelid and other hand. If you're not ambidextrous, this may feel very awkward, but after a few tries you should begin to get the hang of it.
5
Return your eyelids to normal. After you are satisfied with your friends' freaked-out reactions, you'll probably want your eyelids back in normal, functioning order. Simply look up really hard with your eyes or blink really hard with your eyelids to return your eyelids to normal.^{[15]
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Community Q&A

Question

Why would anyone want to do this?

Community Answer

To freak out their friends, or simply because they can.
Question

Why does it hurt my eyes every time I flip them inside out?

Community Answer

Your eyes and eye lids might not be used to being flipped like that. If it keeps hurting you, stop doing it, as you could be damaging your eyes.
Question

How do I flip my eyelids without harming myself?

Community Answer

This is a very risky thing to do, you can lose your sight. Do it very gently.

Warnings

Be careful if you wear contact lenses; moving your eye can result in broken or lost lenses.

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Be careful not to poke a finger in your eye while doing this.

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Make sure you wash your hands before attempting this, otherwise you can spread unwanted bacteria into your eyes.

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You can do this constantly but when your eyelid gets tired, leave it alone.

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Don't leave your eyelids inside out for long, otherwise you risk exposing your eyes to bacteria.

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