GET FREE SAMPLES

sign up for our newsletter to get free sample alerts

10 Genius Makeup Tips for Hooded Eyes

Open up drowsy-looking lids with these techniques (and don't worry, no eye makeup trend is off limits)
Photo 1/11
Like the rest of the body, eyes come in all shapes and sizes, and one of these variations is the hooded eye. Though the name of this eye shape is, admittedly, a bit ominous, it's actually incredibly common, including among some of the world's most stunning celebs.

Hooded eyes feature excess skin folding down from the brow bone to the lash line, which obscures your crease, shrinks your eyelids and can make you look drowsy. Lots of people have this eye shape from birth, but it could also be the result of your lid drooping with age.

Problem is, makeup techniques for typical, almond-shape eyes don't always work. The key is learning how to select and use the eye makeup that will make your eyes look wider and more awake, which is where we come in.

Whether you want to bring the drama for a night-out look or simply appear more bright-eyed for your day at the office, we've found the techniques you need to make your eyes -- hooded lids and all -- shine.

Photo: Getty Images

Photo 2/11
For Wide-Awake Eyes
Lack of lid space can close in hooded eyes, making you appear tired (even if you're on your third cup of coffee). Fake a good night's sleep with strategically placed highlighter, à la Blake Lively.

How: Blend a pretty champagne shade like Nars Single Eye Shadow in Abyssinia in the inner corner of your eyes and across your lid, bringing the shade up toward your brow bone. Be generous with the shade at the inner corners to bring light (and the illusion of space) to that area. Apply a little on your lower lash line as well. Add a few coats of lengthening mascara to your top and bottom lashes to help open up and define your eyes.

Photo: Getty Images

Photo 3/11
For an Instant Eye-Lift
To combat the downturned look of hooded eyes, all you need is the flick of a felt-tip liner. Extend and lift the liner on the upper lid a bit higher than you normally do, creating a sexy cat eye, like model Liu Wen did here.

How: Powder your lids to create a dry, creaseless canvas for the eyeliner. Then, pull the skin of your lid up to give you a little space to work with.

Run the liner in a fine line along your lashes, stopping a few millimeters from the outer corner of your eye. Hold the lid up for a few seconds longer, allowing the formula to dry so it doesn't leave a mark on your lids. Release, and then flick the liner up toward the tail of your brow, starting where you stopped your line earlier. You'll get greater precision with a firm, felt-tip applicator (we recommend Pur Minerals Double Ego Dual-Ended Eyeliner, $21) than you will with a gel or powder.

Keep the wing short for a subtle lift, or lengthen it for a more feline effect. Finish with a coat of mascara.

Photo: Getty Images

Photo 4/11
For Smoldering Smoky Eyes
Smoky eyes are tough to execute for most mortals, and they can be especially tricky for people with hooded eyes. Hooded lids eat up shadow, so you'll need to apply it slightly above the lid to create a crease where there isn't one naturally. Top off the look with some falsies like Catherine Zeta-Jones did to open your eyes way up.

How: Blend a medium-toned brown shade like M.A.C. Eye Shadow in Sable, $16, onto your lid, and look straight ahead into a mirror. With your eyes open, you'll be able to see when the shadow starts to become visible. Blend the brown shade up past your socket, towards your brow bone. Don't worry -- you've got plenty of room up there. This shadow technique contours your socket into looking like a crease, lending a sultry, defined vibe to your look.

Next, blend the same shadow along your bottom lash line. Rim your water line and upper lash line with a deep grey liner, and use a light champagne shadow to highlight just the inner corners of your eyes to keep them from looking closed-in.

Finish the look with a volumizing mascara on your top and bottom lashes. Add a set of medium-length false lashes (Ardell Lashlites, $3.99) to make your eyes appear even bigger.

Photo: Getty Images

Photo 5/11
For a Natural Daytime Look
Sparkle-lovers, rejoice: For most women, shimmery shadow can be aging, but on hooded eyes, it has the opposite effect. Gleaming eye makeup wakes up this eye shape by creating the illusion of light where there is usually darkness. Jennifer Anniston's subtle glimmer and thin liner create a pretty, refreshed effect, perfect for work or low-key days.

How: Select a shade like BareMinerals EyeColors in Vanilla Sugar, $14, and blend it across the lid and above the socket. Dust a tiny bit into the inner corners of your eyes to catch the light, and add a little below the tail of your brow to lift your eye.

Next, use a felt-tip liner to draw the thinnest line you can across the upper lash line, thickening it a bit towards the outer corner of your eye. Brush a lengthening mascara through your lashes, leaving your bottom lash line completely bare.

Photo: Getty Images

BY KELLY SEARLE | MAY 11, 2015 | SHARES
VIEW COMMENTS
Full Site | Terms & Conditions | Privacy Policy
TotalBeauty is a property of Evolve Media Holdings, LLC. © 2024 All Rights Reserved. | Affiliate Disclosure: Evolve Media Holdings, LLC, and its owned and operated subsidiaries may receive a small commission from the proceeds of any product(s) sold through affiliate and direct partner links.