Makeup for Hooded Eyes: 8 Game-Changing Tips to Lift, Open & Define
Struggling with hooded eyelids, saggy eye folds, or makeup that disappears the moment you blink? You’re not alone. Hooded eyes are a common eye shape where excess skin folds down from the brow bone, hiding the crease and making the eyelid space appear smaller.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!But here’s the truth: hooded eyes can be incredibly expressive and beautiful — when you know how to do makeup the right way. This guide covers makeup tips for hooded eyes to help lift, brighten, and define your look. Whether you want your hooded eyes to pop, look younger, or appear more lifted — we’ve got you.
What Are Hooded Eyes?
Hooded eyes have a fold of skin that droops over the natural crease, which can:
- Make eyeliner and eyeshadow disappear when eyes are open
- Cause smudging and creasing
- Create a tired or droopy appearance
Common causes include genetics, aging skin, or natural structure — and all can be enhanced with the right eye makeup.
Top 8 Makeup Tips for Hooded Eyes That Really Work
1. Prime for Long-Lasting Definition
Eye primer for hooded eyes
Start every eye look with a quality primer to prevent creasing. Hooded lids are prone to rubbing and transferring, so you need a long-wear formula that keeps shadow in place all day.
Pro tip: Blend primer up to the brow bone — it helps prevent shadow smudging where the skin folds.
2. Create a Fake Crease
How to make hooded eyes look lifted
Hooded eyes often hide your natural crease. Fix this by building a new, slightly higher crease using a matte neutral shadow.
- Keep your eyes open while applying.
- Blend the color slightly above your natural crease.
- Pull the color upward and outward — this creates a lifting illusion.
3. Focus Darkness on the Outer Corner
Eyeshadow for hooded eyes, how to contour hooded eyes
Instead of darkening the whole lid, concentrate deeper shades on the outer “V” of your eyes. This helps open them up and avoids the look of heaviness.
Use matte browns, taupes, or cool greys for subtle contouring and shape enhancement.
4. Use Thin, Strategic Eyeliner
Best eyeliner for hooded eyes, how to apply eyeliner for small eyes
Skip the thick black liner that eats up lid space. Instead:
- Tightline your upper lash line with a pencil or gel liner.
- Keep your wing small and lifted — extend it slightly upward from the outer lash line.
- Avoid full-circle eyeliner unless you’re doing a dramatic look.
5. Choose the Right Mascara & Lash Style
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Mascara is your secret weapon. Go for:
- Curling mascara to lift lashes away from the lid
- Waterproof formulas that hold curl all day
- Falsies that flare outward (cat-eye shape)
Avoid thick lashes with heavy bands — they can weigh your lids down and hide the eye even more.
6. Highlight the Right Spots
how to make hooded eyes pop, inner eye highlight tips
Illuminate areas that reflect light:
- Inner corners of the eyes (for openness)
- Center of the lid (for dimension)
- Brow bone with a matte highlight (for lift)
Use champagne or soft gold for warm tones, and pearl for cool undertones.
7. Avoid Common Mistakes
Makeup mistakes for hooded eyes, what not to do with hooded eyes
Steer clear of these eye-shrinking missteps:
- Applying dark eyeshadow while eyes are closed
- Using shimmers above the crease
- Heavy bottom lash makeup
- Overly thick liner on the top lid
Apply makeup with eyes open to ensure it lands where it will be visible.
8. Balance with Brows
Brow shaping for hooded eyes, how to lift hooded eyelids without surgery
Your brows frame the entire eye — keep them lifted and defined.
- Use brow pencils or powders to create a slight arch.
- Highlight directly under the brow tail.
- Clean up with concealer to sharpen and lift the entire eye area.
Bonus: Best Products for Hooded Eyes (2025 Favorites)
| Product | Why It Works |
|---|---|
| Urban Decay Primer Potion | Grips shadow, prevents transfer |
| NYX Epic Ink Liner | Waterproof and precise |
| Maybelline Lash Sensational Mascara | Curls and defines |
| Ardell Demi Wispies | Flared shape opens the eyes |
| e.l.f. Bite-Size Eyeshadow in “Cream & Sugar” | Matte & shimmer combo perfect for lifting looks |
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How do I lift my hooded eyes without surgery?
Use lifted shadow placement, tightlining, and false lashes to simulate a non-hooded look.
Q: Can I wear eyeliner with hooded eyes?
Absolutely. Keep it thin, tightlined, and winged up — never down or across.
Q: What’s the best way to stop makeup from smudging on hooded lids?
Eye primer, waterproof formulas, and setting spray are musts.
Q: Are hooded eyes and saggy eyelids the same?
They’re similar — hooded eyes are often structural, while sagging is usually age-related. But both can be enhanced with the same makeup tips.
Final Thoughts
You don’t need to change your eye shape — just learn to embrace it with the right makeup techniques for hooded eyes. From a lifted crease to lightweight lashes, these small steps can make a huge difference in how open, youthful, and defined your eyes appear.
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