Make Your Hooded Eyes Pop with These Expert Makeup Techniques

Ah, hooded eyes—the mysterious, sultry eye shape that loves to keep your eyelid crease a secret. Sure, they’re stunning and unique, but let’s be honest—sometimes it feels like your eyes are playing hide-and-seek with your makeup. Ever spent ages perfecting a cut crease only for it to vanish the second you blink? We get it.

Well, the good news is that you don’t have to let your lids steal the show. With a few clever makeup hacks, you can make hooded eyes look bigger, brighter, and more defined.

Understanding Hooded Eyes

Hooded eyes are a distinctive eye shape where a fold of skin drapes over the crease, partially or fully covering the eyelid when the eyes are open.

Not sure if you have hooded eyes? Take a closer look. Hooded eyes have a visible crease that gets hidden by the fold of skin when the eyes are open. This differs from monolids, which don’t have a crease, and almond eyes, which feature an elongated shape with a clearly visible lid space. A simple test: if your eyelid largely disappears when you’re looking straight ahead, chances are you have hooded eyes!

Using makeup techniques designed for hooded eyes can make a world of difference. The right approach can enhance depth, create the illusion of a lifted crease, and open up the eyes for a brighter, more defined look.

Essential Makeup Techniques for Hooded Eyes

Hooded eyes need makeup hacks that enhance their natural beauty while tackling common challenges like smudging and hidden creases. These easy-to-follow steps will help you create depth, avoid makeup mishaps, and define your eye shape.

Technique 1: Prime the Eyelids for Long-Lasting Makeup

A high-quality primer is your best friend when it comes to hooded eyes. It prevents smudging and creasing, ensuring your makeup stays put all day. For a gentle yet effective base, try the 100% PURE Mattifying Primer, which keeps oils at bay and gives your eyeshadow a smooth surface to grip onto.

Technique 2: Define the Crease Above the Natural Fold

Since hooded eyes can hide the crease, it’s key to create the illusion of a higher one. Use a neutral matte eyeshadow and blend it just above your natural crease. This trick adds depth and makes your eyes appear more open and lifted.

Technique 3: Focus on Outer Corners for Depth

To give your eyes a dimensional, elongated look, apply a darker matte or shimmer shadow to the outer corners. Blend it in a V-shape to lift and add drama without overwhelming the lid space.

Technique 4: Avoid Heavy Eyeliner on the Upper Lash Line

Thick eyeliner can make hooded eyes look smaller. Instead, stick to a thin line close to the lashes for subtle definition. For precision, use the 100% PURE Long Last Liquid Eye Liner, which delivers bold pigment without smudging or fading.

Technique 5: Highlight the Brow Bone and Inner Corner

Adding a soft highlight to the brow bone and inner corner brightens your eyes and creates a lifted appearance. Try the 100% PURE Fruit Pigmented® Gemmed Luminizer in Moonstone Glow for a natural, radiant finish that complements any look.

Perfecting Eyeliner Techniques for Hooded Eyes

Eyeliner can be most tricky for hooded eyes, as you want to enhance the shape without it getting lost or smudging.

The Art of Tightlining

Tightlining is a game-changer for hooded eyes. By lining the upper waterline (the area right between your lashes), you can add definition without taking up precious lid space. This creates a fuller lash line, making your eyes look bigger and more defined without making your eyelids appear smaller.

For a smudge-proof option that lasts all day, try the 100% PURE Creamy Long Last Liner—it glides on smoothly and stays in place without irritation.

Winged Eyeliner with a Subtle Flick

Winged eyeliner can work wonders for hooded eyes, but it’s all about keeping the wing subtle. A sharp, dramatic wing might close off your eyes, so aim for a soft flick that extends slightly beyond your outer corner.

This will lift the eye and make it appear more open, giving a fresh, elongated look. Keep the line thin and buildable, focusing on the outer corner to achieve that perfect "cat-eye" lift.

Smudging the Lower Lash Line for Balance

To create balance, gently smudge a soft line along the lower lash line. This prevents the top eyeliner from being the only focus and adds a soft definition to the lower eye area. Choose a neutral or soft brown eyeliner for a natural look that enhances your eyes without drawing too much attention away from the top lid. For best results, use a pencil liner like 100% PURE Long Last Liquid Eye Liner for easy blending and a long-lasting finish.

Choosing Eyeshadows and Finishes That Work Best for Hooded Eyes

When it comes to eyeshadow for hooded eyes, the goal is to enhance depth and brightness without making the lid appear too flat or heavy. Here’s how you can choose the right eyeshadows and finishes to complement your unique eye shape.

Matte vs. Shimmer Shadows

Matte shadows are your best friend when it comes to defining the crease and creating depth. They won’t reflect light, which means your crease will stay visible instead of blending into the hooded fold. Focus matte shades in the crease and outer corner for contour. When it comes to shimmer, a little goes a long way. Add a pop of shimmer to the center of the lid or the inner corner of your eyes to brighten them up without overwhelming the look.

Eyeshadow Colors for Depth and Contrast

Neutral, warm shades are ideal for hooded eyes, as they add depth and natural contrast. Colors like taupes, soft browns, and mauves can create a subtle definition that enhances your eye shape without looking too heavy. For a brighter effect, 100% PURE Fruit Pigmented Eye Shadow in soft, neutral shades works beautifully to highlight and open up the eye area. These shades are perfect for layering and give you a soft, radiant look.

Layering Techniques for Dimension

Layering eyeshadow is a great way to create depth and a three-dimensional effect on hooded eyes. Start with a light base color all over the lid, then add a medium shade to the crease, and finish with a darker color at the outer corner. This graduated shading technique adds the illusion of more space and lifts the eyes, creating the look of bigger, brighter eyes. Experiment with different tones to find the combination that suits you best!

Lashes and Brows to Accentuate Hooded Eyes

Well-groomed lashes and brows do wonders for enhancing hooded eyes by framing and lifting the entire eye area. Here’s how to make them work for you.

Curling and Lifting Lashes for a Wide-Eyed Effect

A good eyelash curler is a must-have for opening up hooded eyes. By curling your lashes upward, you’ll create the illusion of more lid space and help your eyes look more awake and open. Finish with 100% PURE Fruit Pigmented® Ultra Lengthening Mascara to add length and separation to your lashes, giving them a fluttery, wide-eyed effect. This mascara is perfect for separating each lash and avoiding clumps, giving your eyes a clean, lifted look.

Volumizing and Lengthening Mascara Application

Focus mascara on the outer lashes to help elongate and lift the eyes. Layering coats of mascara on the outer lashes draws attention to the corners of the eyes, giving them a more almond-shaped appearance. This technique also prevents the center of your lashes from looking too heavy, which can weigh down the look of your eyes.

Defining Brows to Frame the Eyes

A defined brow is key to framing your eyes and creating balance. Hooded eyes benefit from a slightly higher arch in the brow, which can lift the entire eye area. To fill in and define brows, try 100% PURE Green Tea Fiber Brow Builder. This product creates natural, full brows without looking too harsh, and the fibers help add volume and shape, giving your brows that perfect, lifted look.

FAQ Section

Can hooded eyes wear bold eyeliner?

Yes, you can definitely wear bold eyeliner with hooded eyes! However, it’s all about technique. Thick eyeliner on the upper lash line can make hooded eyes appear smaller, so try a thinner line close to the lashes for definition. You can also experiment with a subtle wing, making sure to keep the flick light and lifted at the outer corners. Liquid eyeliner with a precise applicator, like 100% PURE Long Last Liquid Eye Liner, works great for this.

What are the best eyeshadow colors for hooded eyes?

Neutral shades like soft browns, taupes, and warm mauves are perfect for adding depth and contrast without making your eyes look heavy. Matte shades work best for defining the crease, while a pop of shimmer in the inner corner or center of the lid can brighten the eyes. Soft, natural tones like 100% PURE Fruit Pigmented Eye Shadow in neutral shades are ideal for a fresh, balanced look.

How can I make hooded eyes look less tired?

To make hooded eyes appear more awake, focus on brightening the inner corner with a light, shimmery highlight. Avoid heavy eyeliner on the lower lash line, as it can drag the eyes down. Curl your lashes to lift them, and use lengthening mascara to open up the eyes. Lastly, keep your brows well-groomed to frame the eyes and give them a more lifted, refreshed appearance.

Should hooded eyes avoid certain makeup trends?

Not necessarily! You can rock any makeup trend with the right techniques. However, it’s helpful to avoid overly thick eyeliner on the upper lash line or heavy, dark eyeshadows all over the lid, as these can make hooded eyes appear smaller.

What’s the best way to prevent mascara from smudging on hooded eyes?

To prevent mascara smudging on hooded eyes, always start by curling your lashes, as this lifts them away from the lid. Use a smudge-proof or waterproof mascara like 100% PURE Fruit Pigmented® Ultra Lengthening Mascara to ensure it stays in place. Avoid applying too many coats to the lower lashes, as this can increase the chances of smudging. If you have oily eyelids, setting your makeup with a light dusting of translucent powder can also help prevent smudging.

Acing the Hooded Eye Look

With a little primer, some crease definition, and a touch of eyeliner, your hooded eyes can go from hidden to show-stopping in no time. Bright, open, and defined is totally doable—just grab the right products and practice a few tricks. Before you know it, your eye game will be on point!