How to Do Eyeliner for Hooded Eyes

Applying eyeliner on hooded eyes can be a bit challenging, but with the right techniques, you can enhance your eye shape and achieve a flawless look. Hooded eyes have a heavier eyelid that slightly covers the crease, which requires specific attention to placement and style. This guide will walk you through simple and effective steps for how to do eyeliner for hooded eyes, ensuring your makeup looks bold and beautiful all day.

What Are Hooded Eyes?

Hooded eyes are characterized by a fold of skin that droops over the crease of the eyelid, partially or fully covering it when the eyes are open. This unique eye shape can sometimes make the eyelid space appear smaller, which may influence how makeup is applied. Hooded eyes are a natural feature and can occur in people of all ethnicities and ages, though they often become more prominent with aging as the skin loses elasticity. Understanding your eye shape is important for tailoring your makeup techniques to enhance and complement your features effectively.

Understanding Hooded Eyes

To better understand hooded eyes, it’s essential to recognize how this eye shape affects the appearance and structure of the eyelid. The excess skin folding down from the brow bone can create a shadow over the crease, which may make the eyes appear smaller or less defined.

However, hooded eyes are simply a variation of normal anatomy and should not be viewed as a flaw. Learning to work with this eye shape allows individuals to highlight their natural beauty. Identifying whether you have hooded eyes can guide you in choosing makeup styles, skincare routines, or even non-invasive techniques to complement your features.

10 Methods How to Do Eyeliner for Hooded Eyes

1. Tightlining to Enhance Lash Definition

Tightlining is a technique that involves applying eyeliner directly to the upper waterline, right beneath the lashes. This method creates the illusion of thicker, fuller lashes without taking up space on the lid, which is essential for hooded eyes. Use a waterproof pencil or gel eyeliner to prevent smudging, and gently lift the eyelid to access the waterline. Tightlining enhances the eyes subtly, making them appear larger while keeping the eyeliner from disappearing under the hooded fold. This method is particularly effective for everyday looks or for those who prefer a natural finish.

2. Using a Thin Line Close to the Lash Line

For hooded eyes, a thick eyeliner line can quickly become hidden when the eyes are open. Instead, draw a thin line as close to the upper lash line as possible. Start from the inner corner and extend outward, following the natural shape of the eye. Thin lines prevent the eyelid fold from swallowing the eyeliner and ensure that it remains visible. Pairing this technique with mascara enhances the lash line, providing definition without overwhelming the eye. Precision is key, so using a gel liner with a fine brush or a sharp pencil helps achieve a crisp result.

3. Creating a Slight Wing Above the Hooded Fold

A well-placed wing can lift and elongate hooded eyes, making them appear more open. To do this, start your wing slightly above the natural lash line, following the angle of your lower lash line for symmetry. Avoid extending the wing too far down, as it may be hidden under the hood. Draw a thin line connecting the wing to the inner corner of the eye, ensuring the eyeliner remains visible even when the eyes are open. This method emphasizes the eye’s natural contour while creating a lifted, elegant effect.

4. Using Waterproof or Long-Wear Formulas

Hooded eyes are prone to smudging due to the lid fold coming into contact with the eyeliner. To prevent this, choose waterproof or long-wear formulas. Gel liners, liquid liners with precision brushes, and waterproof pencils hold their shape longer and resist transfer. Applying a primer or setting powder on the lid before lining can further reduce smudging. This method ensures your eyeliner stays crisp throughout the day, even on oily or hooded eyelids eyeliner.

5. Smudging for a Soft, Smoky Effect

For a subtle, sultry look, smudging eyeliner slightly can enhance hooded eyes without overpowering them. Use a pencil or gel liner and apply a thin line along the upper lash line. Then, gently smudge it with a smudging brush or a cotton swab, keeping the line close to the lashes. Smudging softens the edge of the eyeliner, making the eyes appear larger and more dimensional. This method works well for evening looks or smoky eyes, providing depth without the risk of the line disappearing under the hood.

6. Highlighting the Inner Corner and Brow Bone

Strategically placing highlighter or a light eyeshadow on the inner corners of the eyes and the brow bone can enhance the eyeliner effect for hooded eyes. The highlight draws attention upward and outward, creating the illusion of lifted and wider eyes. When combined with a thin or winged liner, highlighting ensures the eyes appear more open and defined. This method works particularly well when paired with a subtle cat-eye or natural eyeliner style.

7. Tight, Controlled Cat-Eye for Hooded Lids

Cat-eye eyeliner looks stunning on hooded eyes if applied with control. Instead of a dramatic upward flick, keep the wing tight and slightly elongated along the outer lash line. Begin with a thin line near the inner corner, gradually thickening it toward the outer edge. Extend the wing subtly above the hood, ensuring it remains visible when the eyes are open. This method enhances the natural eye shape, providing a lifted, elongated effect without overwhelming the hooded lids.

8. Using Gel or Cream Liners for Flexibility

Gel and cream liners are ideal for hooded eyes because they offer precision and blendability. Apply with a fine, angled brush, starting at the inner corner and working outward. Gel liners allow you to create both thin, subtle lines and slightly thicker, dramatic styles without smudging easily. They also stay intact longer than pencil liners and provide better control when working around the hooded fold. This method is perfect for versatile looks, from natural daytime to bold evening eyeliner.

9. Avoiding Heavy Lower Lash Line Lining

Hooded eyes can appear smaller if the lower lash line is heavily lined. Instead, use a soft pencil or shadow along the outer half of the lower lash line, or skip lining entirely on the inner corners. Highlighting the waterline with a nude or white pencil can also open up the eyes. Focusing on the upper lash line rather than the lower ensures that the eyeliner enhances rather than diminishes the eye’s natural shape. This method prevents the eyes from looking smaller while keeping the eyeliner visible and flattering.

10. Layering with Eyeshadow to Lift the Eye

Combining eyeliner with strategically placed eyeshadow enhances hooded eyes beautifully. Apply a medium-toned matte shadow slightly above the crease to create the illusion of a lifted lid. Then, line the upper lash line thinly, following the shape of the shadow. Blend the liner slightly into the eyeshadow for a seamless, soft effect. Layering eyeliner with eyeshadow not only prevents the line from disappearing under the hood but also adds depth, dimension, and a polished finish. This method is especially effective for evening or formal makeup looks.

Maintenance and Upkeep

To keep your eye makeup looking flawless throughout the day, it’s essential to follow a few maintenance tips. Start by using a high-quality eye primer to prevent creasing and ensure longevity. Setting your makeup with a translucent powder or setting spray can further enhance its staying power, especially in humid or long-wear conditions.

Carry a small compact mirror and cotton swabs for quick touch-ups, as this allows you to easily fix any smudges or fading. Additionally, avoid touching or rubbing your eyes, as this can disrupt the makeup. With these simple upkeep habits, your carefully crafted eye look will remain vibrant and polished for hours.

Safety Considerations

When using eye makeup, it’s important to prioritize safety to protect the delicate skin around your eyes and prevent irritation or infections. Always ensure that your makeup applicators, such as brushes and sponges, are clean and sanitized before use. Avoid sharing your eye makeup or tools with others, as this can transfer bacteria, increasing the risk of eye infections.

Check the expiration dates on your products, and discard any that are past their prime, as outdated formulas can harbor harmful microorganisms. Should you experience redness, itching, or swelling after applying a product, discontinue use immediately and consult a dermatologist or healthcare professional if symptoms persist. By following these safety practices, you can maintain healthy eyes while enjoying your makeup routine.

Conclusion

Applying eyeliner to hooded eyes requires specific techniques to ensure the eyes appear open, defined, and lifted. Thin lines, tightlining, controlled wings, and waterproof formulas prevent smudging and ensure visibility. Complementary methods such as highlighting, layering with eyeshadow, and careful placement of lower lash line liner enhance the overall effect.

Gel and cream liners offer flexibility, while subtle smudging adds depth without overpowering the eyes. By combining these ten methods, anyone with hooded eyes can achieve striking, professional-looking eyeliner that enhances their natural beauty and creates a polished, captivating appearance. Thanks for reading our blog post on how to do eyeliner for hooded eyes! We hope you found it helpful and informative.