Hooded eyes are a beautiful and common eye shape, but they can present unique challenges when it comes to applying makeup. The extra skin that folds down over the crease can cause eyeshadow to disappear and eyeliner to smudge. With the right techniques and products, however, you can create stunning eye looks that enhance your natural eye shape.

Understanding Hooded Eyes

Hooded eyes have an extra layer of skin that droops over the crease, partially or fully hiding the eyelid when the eyes are open. This means that eyeshadow applied to the lid may not be visible, and the crease can appear lower than it actually is. The key to makeup for hooded eyes is to create the illusion of a higher crease and more visible lid space.

Adjusting Your Eyeshadow Placement

The standard eyeshadow placement technique of applying a dark shade in the crease needs to be adjusted for hooded eyes. Instead of applying your crease shade in your natural crease, place it slightly above the crease, on the brow bone area where the skin folds back. This creates the illusion of a higher crease and more visible lid space.

Eyeliner Techniques for Hooded Eyes

Eyeliner can be tricky with hooded eyes because a thick line can take up too much lid space. Instead of drawing a line across the entire lash line, try tightlining, applying eyeliner to the upper waterline. This defines the lashes without taking up lid space. For winged eyeliner, create a wing that angles upward and outward.

Mastering the Crease Eye Look

A popular and effective technique for hooded eyes is the crease eye look. Apply a matte transition shade above your natural crease, blending upward toward the brow bone. Then apply a slightly darker shade in a V-shape at the outer corner, blending inward and upward. Apply a lighter shimmer shade on the center of the lid.

Mascara and Lashes

Curling your lashes is essential for hooded eyes. Use an eyelash curler to lift the lashes upward, opening up the eye area. Focus mascara on the outer lashes to create an almond-shaped, lifted effect. Waterproof mascara is recommended because it holds the curl better throughout the day.