The “eye thing” is a viral trend that has become hugely popular on TikTok over the past few months. It involves making subtle movements with your eyes to the beat of a song. Videos using the trend feature someone staring into the camera and then quickly flitting their eyes from side to side or up and down in rhythm. Often the videos include popular songs like “SugarCrash!” by ElyOtto or “Frozen” by Vanessa Carlton.
The eye thing videos are hypnotizing to watch and showcase a unique talent. Though it may seem simple, being able to move your eyes independently and precisely to a beat takes practice. As more creators have tried the trend, it has exploded in popularity. Eye thing videos have amassed over 3 billion views on TikTok so far, showing just how engaging this trend has become.
Step 1: Open the TikTok App
To create eye videos on TikTok, you first need to open the TikTok app on your mobile device. TikTok is available for free download from the App Store for iOS devices and Google Play for Android devices. Once downloaded, tap the TikTok icon on your home screen to launch the app.
When you open TikTok for the first time, you’ll need to create an account or log in if you already have one. Creating an account is free and only requires a phone number or email address. With an account, you can upload videos, follow other users, and fully access TikTok’s features.
Once logged in, you’ll be taken to the TikTok home page known as the “For You” feed. This is where you can start viewing videos from other users. To access the camera and start creating your own eye videos, tap the “+” icon at the bottom of the screen.
Step 2: Access the camera
To start recording a new video on TikTok, you first need to access the camera page within the app. Here are the steps to get to the camera:
- Open the TikTok app on your mobile device. Once it loads, you’ll see the main “For You” feed page.
- At the bottom center of the screen, tap on the plus (+) icon. This is the button to create a new video.
- After tapping the plus icon, you’ll be taken directly to TikTok’s camera page. This is indicated by the red record button at the bottom center.
Once you are on the camera page, you’re ready to start recording your video. Position yourself in the frame and tap the red record button when you’re ready. We’ll cover the actual recording process in the next step.
If you ever want to go back to the main feed page, simply tap the back arrow at the top left corner of the camera page. But for now, get comfortable on the camera page so you can start making your eye movement video!
Step 3: Position your face
Properly framing your face in the center of the screen is crucial for executing the popular “eye thing” trend. When recording your TikTok, make sure your entire face is visible and positioned in the middle of the frame.
Hold your phone or camera at eye level, about an arm’s length away from your face. This will prevent any awkward angles. Check that both your eyes, nose, and mouth are clearly visible before recording.
Avoid cutting off parts of your face or head. Give yourself a bit of space above your head and on the sides. You want viewers to be focused entirely on your eyes, so ensure your face takes up most of the screen.
Position yourself in front of a plain background with decent lighting. This will draw maximum attention to your eyes. Make sure you are looking directly into the camera lens for the best effect.
Take a few test recordings to ensure your framing is spot on. Proper positioning is key for trending with this viral eye technique on TikTok!
Step 4: Relax your eyes
An important part of doing the eye thing on TikTok is learning how to relax your eyes and let them lose focus. This allows your eyes to move more freely and fluidly. Here are some tips for relaxing your eyes:
- Let your eyes and facial muscles relax completely. Don’t squint or strain your eyes.
- Soften your gaze and avoid looking directly at anything in particular.
- Look forward into the distance with a soft, unfocused gaze.
- Imagine you are looking through the camera lens in front of you into the distance.
- Blink slowly and naturally to keep your eyes relaxed.
- Take deep breaths which will help relax your eyes and facial muscles.
- Don’t force your eyes to cross or go in unnatural directions.
With practice, you’ll get better at relaxing your eyes on command. The key is to not overthink it. Simply let your eyes and face feel soft and relaxed. This will allow you to move your eyes more freely for the TikTok trend.
Step 5: Move your eyes
Once you have positioned your face and relaxed your eyes, it’s time to start moving your eyes. Gently roll your eyes side to side to get a feel for the motion. Start off slowly, focusing on keeping your eyes relaxed as they move. Avoid straining or forcing the eye movement – a subtle, smooth motion is best.
Try varying the speed, going from slow rolls to slightly quicker flicks. You can also experiment with rolling your eyes in different directions, like looking up and down or diagonally. The key is finding a natural eye movement that works for you. As you practice, you’ll develop the muscle memory for rolling your eyes smoothly and effortlessly.
As you move your eyes back and forth, you may notice that one direction feels more natural than the other. Work on rolling your eyes evenly in both directions. With a bit of practice, you’ll be able to roll your eyes to the beat of any song!
According to this tutorial on how to roll your eyes, “Moving your eyes slowly and smoothly creates the best effect” (source). So take your time finding the right speed and motion for you.
Step 6: Find your rhythm
Developing a smooth rhythm is key for pulling off the eye roll effect. Start slowly, rolling your eyes up and then back down at a steady pace. Gradually increase the speed as you get more comfortable with the motion.
Aim for a fluid, natural movement rather than jerky or erratic rolling. Relax your eyes and let them flow with the rhythm. According to TikTok user @canonryder, “Move your eyes up and down to a beat in your head.” Finding a tempo that works for you results in a mesmerizing eye roll effect.
Practice rolling your eyes to a metronome or along with the beat of a song. This trains your eyes to move to a consistent rhythm. Or count in your head, rolling your eyes up on the numbers and down on the beats in between. With regular practice, you’ll develop an innate sense of timing and rhythm.
Once you can smoothly roll your eyes to a rhythm without thinking about it, you’ll be ready to record eye-catching videos!
Step 7: Record your eye videos
When you’re ready to record your eye videos, it’s a good idea to capture several takes so you can pick the best one later. Recording just one quick video likely won’t turn out perfectly on the first try. Instead, record 5-10 videos, each about 5-15 seconds long. Vary your eye movements in each video and try blinking at different speeds. Relax between takes to avoid eye strain. Review the videos and delete any outtakes where you blinked awkwardly or lost your rhythm. Choose the 1-2 videos where your eye movements look the smoothest.
According to https://clipchamp.com/en/blog/poor-video-quality-tiktok/, recording and reviewing multiple quick videos can help you end up with higher quality eye videos for TikTok in the end.
Step 8: Add Effects
Adding fun filters and effects can enhance your eye videos on TikTok. Some popular options include:
- The Cartoon filter smooths and brightens your skin while making your eyes look bigger and more animated.
- The Beauty filter evens out skin tone and makes eyes pop.
- Try the Sparkle filter for a magical, dreamy look that makes your eyes shimmer.
- The 1970s filter gives your video a vintage, retro vibe.
You can also add stickers like hearts, stars, and rainbows around your eyes for a playful accent. Play around with different effects to find options that complement your eye look and style.
Effects are easy to add in the TikTok app. Simply tap the effects icon while recording or editing your video. Swipe through the options and tap on an effect to preview it. When you find one you like, hit save to add it to your video.
Getting creative with effects is a great way to make your eye videos stand out on TikTok and captivate viewers. The right enhancements can take your videos to the next level.
Step 9: Share your video
After you’ve captured your eye movement video, it’s time to share it with others on TikTok. This allows more people to see and engage with your eye thing video.
To share your video, simply tap the “Share” button at the bottom of the screen after recording. This will bring up various options for sharing the video such as sending it directly to friends, adding it to your TikTok profile, or copying a link to share elsewhere.
Some key things to keep in mind when sharing your eye video:
- Add relevant hashtags so your video is discoverable by others interested in the eye trick.
- Use captions to explain what you’re doing in the video.
- Engage with commenters to build a community around your eye videos.
Posting your eye videos consistently can help you gain a following on TikTok. Share your videos as often as you create them to maximize views.
With the tap of a button, you can now showcase your eye talent to the larger TikTok community. So go ahead and share your eye trick video for the world to enjoy!
