Hooded eyes can be a beautiful and unique feature, but applying makeup to them can sometimes feel like a challenge. The way the eyelid folds over the crease often obscures shadow and liner, making it difficult to achieve a defined, lifted look. Many struggle with eyeshadow disappearing or eyeliner smudging, leading to frustration and a feeling that makeup application for hooded eyes is inherently more complex. However, with the right techniques, you can master the art of enhancing your hooded eyes and creating a stunning, wide-awake appearance. Forget the complicated tutorials; we're breaking it down.
This comprehensive guide offers 13 expert tips and tricks to unlock the secrets of flattering hooded eye makeup. From choosing the right eyeshadow shades and application techniques to mastering eyeliner and mascara placement, we'll walk you through every step to achieve that sought-after lifted effect. Ready to embrace your unique eye shape and achieve a captivating look? Let's dive into our step-by-step tutorial.
Preparation and Safety Guidelines
Tools Needed
- Concealer
- Matte Highlight
- Synthetic Bristle Brush
- Powder Eyeshadow (light shade)
- Bronzer
- Brown Eye Pencil
- Smudger Brush
- Cream Eye Pencil (flesh tone)
- Eyelash Curler
- Mascara
- Eyelash Primer
- False Lashes (optional)
Safety Guidelines
- Always use gentle, non-irritating products, especially around the delicate eye area. Patch test new products before applying them to your entire eyelid to check for allergic reactions.
- Avoid tugging or pulling on the skin while applying makeup, as this can contribute to premature wrinkles and sagging. Apply makeup with light, feathery strokes.
- Remove all makeup thoroughly at the end of the day using a gentle makeup remover. Leaving makeup on overnight can clog pores and irritate the skin.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Prep and Highlight
- Look directly into a mirror while applying makeup to see colors above the crease.
- Apply a matte highlight (concealer works well) to the arch of your eyebrow for a lifted look and brow definition.
- Apply concealer to the outer corner of your eye, following the lower lash line upwards towards your temple, to create fullness and a lifted appearance.
Prep and Highlight Create a Bright Lid
- Apply concealer or a light eyeshadow to the center of your eyelid to maximize the appearance of this space. If hooded, cover the hood while looking straight ahead, ensuring the visible skin is light.
- Apply a light powder eyeshadow (lighter than your skin tone) to the center of the lid, blending outwards slightly, to enhance the light area.
Create a Bright Lid Contour and Define
- Apply a matte bronzer or brown eyeshadow above the eyelid crease and towards the brow bone, avoiding the lid space, to create a slight contrast and define the crease.
Contour and Define Lower Lash Line Enhancement
- Line your lower lash line from the outer corner halfway in with a soft brown eye pencil, smudging for a soft look. Extend slightly outwards towards the temple.
- Apply a cream or flesh-toned pencil along your waterline to make the eye appear larger.
Lower Lash Line Enhancement Mascara and Lash Lift
- Apply an eyelash primer to thicken and lengthen your natural lashes.
- Apply mascara, looking down into a mirror to avoid smudging on the lid. Curl lashes with a curler, focusing on the outer third for a lifted effect.
Mascara and Lash Lift Evening Look Intensification
- For evening, deepen the liner on the outer corner with a darker brown or black eyeshadow.
- Apply brown eyeliner to the outer half of your upper waterline for a subtle, smoky effect without losing lid space.
- Apply a few individual lashes to the outer third of your lash line for extra lift and definition.
Evening Look Intensification
Read more: Achieve a Sun-Kissed Glow with Freckles: A Summer Makeup Tutorial
Tips
- Always look straight into a mirror when applying eyeshadow to prevent makeup from disappearing when you look up.
- Use matte highlights for contouring, not shimmery ones, to avoid emphasizing crepey skin.
- Keep eyeliner perpendicular to the highest point of your lid to prevent losing lid space and elongate the eye.
- Maximize the appearance of eyelashes, as false lashes aren't always an option for hooded eyes. Curl lashes for a lifted look, especially at the outer corners.
- Use waterproof products, especially eyeliner and mascara, for longevity.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
1. Too much eyeshadow in the crease
Reason: Heavy eyeshadow in the crease can make hooded eyes appear smaller and heavier, emphasizing the hood rather than lifting the eyes.
Solution: Use a lighter hand with eyeshadow in the crease and blend thoroughly to create a seamless transition.
2. Ignoring the lower lash line
Reason: Neglecting the lower lash line can result in a flat, unbalanced look, further emphasizing the hooded effect instead of opening up the eyes.
Solution: Apply a subtle amount of eyeliner or eyeshadow to the lower lash line, focusing on the outer corners for a lifted effect.
3. Applying liner too close to the lash line
Reason: Applying eyeliner too close to the lash line can get hidden by the hood, making the eyes appear smaller and less defined.
Solution: Apply eyeliner slightly above the lash line, or use a technique like tightlining to subtly define the eyes without the liner being obscured.
FAQs
What's the biggest mistake people make with hooded eye makeup?
Applying eyeshadow all over the lid without considering the hood. This often results in the shadow disappearing completely once the eye is open, leaving little to no definition. Focus on strategic placement above and beyond the crease to create a lifted effect.
How can I make my eyes appear bigger with hooded lids?
Use lighter shades on the lid itself and darker shades in the crease and outer corner to create depth and dimension. Tightlining (applying eyeliner to the upper waterline) and carefully applying mascara to both top and bottom lashes will also help open up the eyes.