The Best Eye Makeup Tips For Hooded Eyes

If you think droopy eyelids don’t facilitate a stunning eye look, then think again.

With the advancement in makeup techniques, it’s now possible to complement every eye shape, so why should the hooded-eyed beauties stay behind? All that’s required is some guidance, which is why we are here today. 

Dive in to learn some of the best looks for hooded eyes! 

What Do Hooded Eyes Refer To?

In case you don’t quite know the shape or appearance of hooded eyes [1], we will break it down for you. Simply put, hooded eyes are the ones with extra skin or a fold in the eyelids, which decreases or completely removes their surface area (or the crease). As a result, people with hooded lids get less space to apply makeup on them.

While some people have this particular feature from birth, others may develop it over time as the skin on the eyelids loses its elasticity [2]. 

However, this is no reason to feel disappointed, as you can effortlessly pull off many classy and funky eye looks with hooded lids. In fact, many celebrities like Marly Streep, Megan Fox, Blake Lively, and Taylor Swift have flaunted their beautiful hooded eyes with the right makeup.

So, if you, too, plan to join the list, then dive in without any delay!

The Best Eyeliner Tips For Hooded Eyes

Let’s just agree that a bold winged eyeliner can do wonders for your overall look, no matter what your eye shape is. Not only that, but it can also help you rock your nighttime eye makeup like nothing else. 

But if you’re shying away from eyeliners just because of that extra skin on your eyelids, then don’t anymore. Here are some of the best eyeliner tips for hooded eyes that you must try:

1. Make Use Of The Outer Corner

One of the easiest ways to create the illusion of bigger eyes is to concentrate on the outer instead of the inner corner. But you don’t need to invest a lot of time or effort here; simply draw a thick band so that the eyelid appears to have more space. 

There’s no rocket science here – the thickest part of the liner will draw more attention, so it’s recommended to place it on the outer corner where there’s more space.

If you still want to cover some of the lid space with the eyeliner, then start from the outer corners and extend the line only about ½ or ⅓ of the lid. This will also make the liner look like it’s drawn all over your upper lid, when in reality, it’s only the outer corner that’s being highlighted. 

Additionally, if you’re going for winged eyeliner, make sure that the wing is pointed upwards and extended towards the brow bone. Otherwise, it can make your eyes look even more droopy. 

Alternatively, you can opt for a small flick on the outer corner to provide the eyes with that much-needed lift, especially if you’re doing a daytime look.

2. Tightline The Upper Lash Line

Tightlining the upper lash line is a great way to complement your eye shape while keeping the lids free and making your eyes pop. We’d suggest using a waterproof, smudge-free eyeliner pencil and following the natural curve of your lid by drawing the line right under the lashes. 

Additionally, you can run the pencil through your lashes along with a good mascara to give them a feathery and fuller effect.

3. Ditch That Black Liner

Just like too much darkness can make a small room appear even smaller, an intense black eyeliner can occupy too much of your lid space. That’s why we’d suggest using soft and subtle shades, like brown, plum, or gray, to add more depth and definition to the eyes while making them look “awake.”

4. Keep It Simple

Simplicity has its own charm, and hooded eyes can benefit from a simple black liner and mascara more than other eye shapes. Popularly known as the “invisible” eyeliner, this method involves drawing a line very close to your upper lash line, reinforcing its shape. Plus, it keeps your eyelids absolutely clean.

Finish this eye look with a generous coat of your favorite mascara, and wear that gorgeous red lip to make heads turn!

5. Place The Mirror At The Right Position

Position the mirror in a way that you can look straight ahead into the mirror. This will help you draw the liner precisely in accordance with the shape of your lid. It will also make it easy to add the desired thickness to the outer corner so that the liner doesn’t disappear when your eyes are fully open.

Remember that if the line is too thin, then the fold on your lids can hide it when you open your eyes. So, don’t be afraid to make it a little thicker than usual as you move towards the outer corners.

How To Pick The Right Eyeliner For Hooded Eyes?

Here are a few tips to keep in mind when choosing the perfect eyeliner for your unique hooded eyes:

1. Opt For A Gel Liner

Although liquid eyeliners are extremely sought-after, especially for creating a sharp wing, a gel liner may be more suitable for the purpose. Since they have a quick drying time, you don’t have to worry about getting it on your crease or near the brows post application. Furthermore, use a small but precise brush to help create a sharp wing with a pointy edge.

But if you’re a liquid eyeliner fan, then ensure to keep your eyes closed until it’s completely dry.

2. Choose Matte Formulas

Matt finishes are a great way to ensure that the liner stays on the eyes for prolonged periods without transferring to the entire lid surface. It would be even better if you go for waterproof, long-lasting formulas that will stay through the day (or night), but you may need more effort to remove them when needed.

The Best Eyeshadow Hacks For Hooded Eyes

Just because an eyeshadow is applied to the eyelid doesn’t mean it isn’t meant for people who have less lid surface. An eyeshadow, when applied the right way, can help the makeup for hooded eyes become the highlight of the overall look.  

And here are some of the best ways to do that:

1. The Reverse Smokey Eye

We found many Youtube tutorials that discourage applying eyeshadow or eyeliner on the lower lash line as it can make the eyes look smaller. But with a reverse smokey eye, you can completely eliminate this risk!

While we prefer a black matte shadow for this look, you can use any color. Simply apply the eyeshadow below your lower lash line in a thin line and make a wing towards the outer corner so that it points upwards towards the eyebrow. You can use two dark shadows for more intensity.

Smudge the line using swift to and fro motions with a smudging brush to blend or soften the harsh outline. You can even use more shadow or combine two similar colors to make the shadow darker or add an enhanced depth effect. Complete the look with mascara!

2. Don’t Fear The Shimmer

Shimmery eyeshadows (or eye shimmer, in general) can suit every eye shape, so hooded eyes are no exception. But as crease space is limited in case of the latter, you’d want to apply such shimmery shades in the inner corners or the “inner eye” to avoid drawing attention to the eyelids. 

The glitter particles help attract and reflect light, creating the illusion of bigger eyes. Next apply the same or a similar shimmery eyeshadow on the arch of your eyebrows for a “halo effect,” which will open up more space on the top of your nose bridge in natural light.

3. The Classic Smokey Eye

The undeniable class of a classic smokey eye makes it extremely compatible for formal and casual occasions alike. 

Begin by applying a light shade on your lids and blend it well before adding a darker shadow towards the outer corner. Take a clean brush and blend the darker shadow outwards to get rid of any harsh edges. Using the first brush, blend the crease line so that both colors blend seamlessly, but don’t drag the dark shade on the lid.

If you want to jazz up this look for nighttime wear, then consider applying a pigmented shimmery shade on the outer corner, on top of the base shadow. Furthermore, draw a winged eyeliner or tight line the upper and lower lash lines to make your eyes look more open. Another tip is to use a third neutral shade to blend the two main colors.

But if you want something more simple, use a single shade on the whole lid and add more pigment to the other corner by applying multiple coats of the shadow and blending them well. Finish off with a winged liner!

In any case, the key to a great smoky eye is blending the shades properly, so it may be a good idea to practice this look beforehand. And while at it, don’t forget to blend upwards to prevent the eyes from looking too droopy.

4. Create A Fake Crease

If you want to create the iconic cut crease look for hooded lids, then start by drawing a “fake crease” just above your natural crease (of the fold line). This is located on the top half of your eye socket or directly below the eye bone. You can take a neutral or very light shade of orange or brown for this purpose. 

Once this step is over, apply a thin line of concealer that’s one shade lighter than your skin tone above the upper lash line. Now, open the eye so that it leaves a mark on the bottom edge of your fake crease. Complete drawing the crease with the concealer and extend the line to the outer corner. Blend it with a light shadow so that there’s a noticeable (but not harsh) outline.

And just like you’d do for the smokey eyes, use a light shade for the rest of the lid and a slightly darker shade for the outer corner. Blend everything properly, and voila! You have your perfect (fake) cut crease look.

How Should You Shape The Brows?

No eye look is complete without addressing the brows, but the good news is that you don’t have to be a pro for this job.

One of the first and most important tips in this regard is to use a brown brow shadow or eyebrow pencil to fill and shape your brows. This will make it look more natural, as compared to the more conventional black color.

Begin by drawing the outline of your brows and maintain a smooth arch as you move towards the edge of the brow. Be wary of flat or downturned eyes, which can make the eye space look smaller. And fill in sparsely so that they don’t appear unnaturally thick.

We’d strongly recommend cleaning at least the lower browline with a concealer, which can be extended down to the eyelid. Not only will this give the illusion of a bigger eye socket, but it will also form a nice base for your eyeshadow or liner.

Final Words

On that note, it’s time for us to bring down the curtains for the day. We hope you have found a look or two to bring out the beauty of your hooded eyes. 

But before we leave you to create that perfect look, here are a few more tips that will come in handy. Firstly, don’t forget to apply a good eye primer on the lids to even out the skin and help the shadows or liner last longer. If you don’t have one in your makeup kit, substitute it with a concealer.

And use shadow colors according to the time of the day, i.e., light colors for daytime and darker shades for the night. See you next time!

References:

[1]- Do I Have Hooded Eyes? How do I know if I have hooded eyes? (phyrra.net)

[2]- Skin Elasticity: What It Is and 13 Science-Backed Ways to Improve It (healthline.com)