Hooded eyes are a stunning feature, but they often come with a unique set of challenges when it comes to makeup.
Whether you’re struggling with eyeshadow that disappears into the crease or eyeliner that smudges, applying makeup for hooded eyes requires some finesse. The good news? With the right techniques and products, you can enhance your hooded eyes beautifully.
This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know about makeup for hooded eyes, from prepping your lids to mastering eyeshadow, eyeliner, and mascara. Let’s dive in!
Understanding Hooded Eyes
Before we jump into makeup techniques, it’s essential to understand what hooded eyes are and why they require special attention when applying makeup.
What Are Hooded Eyes?
Hooded eyes are characterized by a fold of skin that hangs over the crease, partially or fully covering the eyelid. This skin fold can make it difficult to see the crease when your eyes are open. The effect? It can sometimes make eyes appear smaller or less defined.
How Hooded Eyes Differ from Other Eye Shapes
Hooded eyes are different from other eye shapes, like almond or monolid eyes. Almond eyes have a visible crease and an oval shape, while monolids lack a visible crease altogether.
Hooded eyes often require different makeup techniques to prevent the eyelid from being hidden under the excess skin.
Challenges of Hooded Eyes
- Eyeshadow often disappears: The skin fold can cover your eyeshadow, making your hard work go unnoticed.
- Smudging eyeliner: It’s easy for eyeliner to transfer to the upper lid because of the skin folding down.
- Lack of visible crease: Without a visible crease, it’s more difficult to define the eyelid area.
Prepping Hooded Eyes for Makeup
A smooth base is essential for flawless eye makeup. Here’s how to prep your lids properly:
Hydration and Priming
To ensure that your makeup stays in place all day, it’s important to start with well moisturized skin. Hooded eyes are more prone to oiliness and creasing, so a hydrating eye cream is your best friend.
Choose a lightweight formula that won’t weigh down your eyelids. After applying moisturizer, use a good eye primer to create a smooth canvas for your makeup.
Setting with Powder
For long lasting results, set your primer with a translucent setting powder. This helps control oil and prevents your eyeshadow from creasing throughout the day. Applying a light dusting of setting powder ensures that your makeup won’t move.
Pro tip: Choose a powder that matches your skin tone or is slightly translucent. This will ensure that your eyeshadow glides on without dragging.
Eyeshadow Techniques for Hooded Eyes
Eyeshadow is one of the most challenging aspects of makeup for hooded eyes. But with the right techniques, you can create depth and dimension to open up your eyes. Here are some tips:
Creating Depth and Dimension
Use Matte Shades in the Crease
To add definition to your hooded eyes, you’ll want to use matte shades just above your natural crease. This technique makes the crease appear deeper and lifts the eye.
- Light to Dark Transition: Apply a lighter matte shade near the brow bone and a darker matte shade just above the crease. This creates the illusion of a higher lid.
Avoid Overly Dark Shades on the Lid
While dark shades can be beautiful, avoid applying them directly on the lid of hooded eyes. Dark shadows can cause the eyes to appear even smaller. Instead, focus on adding darker shades to the outer corners of the eyes.
Placing Eyeshadow Above the Crease
The key to accentuating hooded eyes is placing eyeshadow slightly above the crease. When you open your eyes, the shadow will still be visible.
This technique helps create a more prominent eyelid, making your eyes appear larger and more open.
- Tip: Use matte neutral shades for a soft, natural look or shimmery shades for a more dramatic effect.
The Cut Crease Technique
A cut crease is a popular technique for hooded eyes because it defines the lid and crease area. To create a cut crease, apply a lighter shade to the eyelid and use a dark matte shadow above the crease to define the eye shape.
This creates the illusion of a double eyelid, giving your eyes more definition.
Eyeliner Tips for Hooded Eyes
Eyeliner is a great way to define your eyes, but hooded eyes can make it tricky. Here are some tips to keep your eyeliner looking sharp and prevent smudging.
Avoid Smudging with Waterproof Formulas
Since hooded eyes are prone to oiliness, choosing a waterproof eyeliner is essential. Waterproof formulas stay in place and won’t transfer to your upper lid, even if your eyes start to water.
Creating a Wing for Hooded Eyes
Winged eyeliner looks amazing on hooded eyes when done correctly. To avoid making your eyes appear droopy, make sure your wing lifts the eye.
- How to Wing It: Start by drawing a thin line along the upper lash line, then gradually thicken it as you reach the outer corner. Angle the wing upwards to follow the natural line of your brow.
- Pro Tip: Use a gel liner for more control. Gel liners are smooth and won’t smudge easily.
Tightlining
Tightlining is a technique where you line the waterline (the area just above the lashes). This adds definition without taking up space on the eyelid. Tightlining helps make the lashes look fuller and more voluminous.
Mascara and Eyebrows for Hooded Eyes
Mascara and eyebrows are key to balancing the look and enhancing your hooded eyes.
Mascara Application
Mascara can lift your lashes and make your eyes appear larger. Here are a few tips:
- Lift and Lengthen: Choose a lengthening mascara that defines each lash and adds volume without weighing them down.
- Curling Lashes: Use a lash curler before applying mascara to help open up the eyes. A heated lash curler works best for extra curl.
Pro tip: Apply mascara to both the top and bottom lashes to balance the look.
Eyebrow Shaping
The right brow shape can lift your hooded eyes and create symmetry. Try to maintain a soft arch that opens up the eye area. Avoid overly thick or flat brows, as they can make the eyes appear more closed off.
Best Makeup Products for Hooded Eyes
To make sure your makeup stays in place and looks great, it’s important to choose the right products. Here are some of the best options for hooded eyes:
| Product Type | Recommended Product |
| Eye Primer | Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion |
| Eyeshadow Palette | Anastasia Beverly Hills Soft Glam Palette |
| Eyeliner | Kat Von D Tattoo Liner |
| Mascara | Maybelline Lash Sensational Mascara |
| Eyebrow Pencil | Benefit Precisely, My Brow Pencil |
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Even experienced makeup artists can make mistakes when it comes to hooded eyes. Here are some common pitfalls to avoid:
- Applying Too Much Product: Overloading your lids with too much product can make the eyes appear heavy and closed.
- Using Dark Shadows Only on the Lid: This can make the eyes look smaller. Always apply darker shades to the outer corners to lift the eye.
- Forgetting to Set Makeup: Not setting your primer and eyeshadow can lead to creasing and smudging, especially for hooded eyes.
Advanced Tips for Hooded Eyes
If you’re looking to take your makeup skills to the next level, try these advanced techniques:
Double Lid Trick
For those with more pronounced hooded eyes, the double lid trick can create the illusion of a visible crease. You can use makeup to highlight the natural folds in the skin, making the eyes appear larger and more defined.
The Floating Crease Technique
This technique involves applying shadow above the natural crease, creating the illusion of a floating crease. It’s a dramatic effect that works well for bold makeup looks.
Conclusion
Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned makeup enthusiast, the key to stunning makeup for hooded eyes lies in the techniques you use.
With the right primer, eyeshadow placement, eyeliner tricks, and mascara, you can create a look that enhances your natural features.
Remember: Hooded eyes are unique and beautiful, and with these expert tips, you can make them stand out in the best possible way!
FAQ Section
- Can I wear bold eyeshadow with hooded eyes?
Absolutely! Bold eyeshadow can look amazing on hooded eyes. Just be sure to apply darker shades to the outer corners and lighter shades above the crease to prevent the lid from looking closed off. - How do I prevent my eyeliner from transferring to my upper lid?
Use a waterproof eyeliner and set it with a translucent setting powder to prevent smudging or transferring. - What are the best mascara types for hooded eyes?
Opt for a lengthening and volumizing mascara that will lift and separate your lashes without weighing them down. - How can I make my eyes appear bigger with hooded lids?
Use eyeshadow above the crease, opt for a lifted winged eyeliner, and curl your lashes to make your eyes appear bigger. - Are there any tips for hooded eyes with oily lids?
Yes! Start with a good primer, use oil free products, and set your makeup with translucent powder to control oil throughout the day.