Have you ever been told that winged eyeliner or shimmery eyeshadow is off-limits for hooded eyes? It’s time to forget those outdated rules. The truth is, you can wear any makeup look you love—it’s all about adapting the technique to fit your unique eye shape. The key is understanding how to create the illusion of space and lift, which can make your eyes appear bigger and more defined. This guide will show you how to master those techniques. We're breaking down everything from shadow blending to liner tricks, providing a complete tutorial on simple eye makeup for wrinkled hooded eyes so you can confidently create a beautiful, lasting look.

Key Takeaways

• Work above your natural crease: To ensure your eyeshadow is visible when your eyes are open, apply your defining matte shade slightly above your natural crease. This technique creates the illusion of more lid space and makes your eyes look instantly more lifted.
• Focus product on the outer third of your eye: Keep eyeliner thin and concentrated on the outer part of your upper lash line. Blending your eyeshadow up and out from this same area creates a beautiful lifting effect without making your eyes look smaller.
• Build a smudge-proof toolkit: Start with an eye primer to create a smooth, crease-proof canvas for any look. Finish with a tubing mascara, which is a game-changer for preventing flakes or smudges from transferring onto your brow bone.

First, What Are Hooded Eyes?

Before we get into application tips, let's start with the basics. Understanding your eye shape is the first step to mastering a makeup look that makes you feel confident and beautiful. Hooded eyes are an incredibly common and gorgeous feature, but they do come with a unique set of challenges, especially as our skin matures. Once you understand the "why" behind your makeup frustrations, learning the "how" becomes so much easier. Let's break down what it means to have hooded eyes and why the techniques that used to work for you might need a little refresh.

Defining the "Hood"

So, what exactly are hooded eyes? Simply put, hooded eyes have a bit of skin that hangs over the eyelid. This feature means you have a prominent brow bone with a fold of skin that partially or completely covers your mobile lid (the part that moves when you blink). You can be born with this eye shape, or it can develop over time. To see if you have them, look straight into a mirror. If you can’t see much of your mobile eyelid when your eyes are open, you likely have hooded eyes. It’s not a flaw—it’s a beautiful eye shape shared by countless celebrities. The key is learning to work with your unique canvas to enhance your eyes.

How Hooded Eyes Change Over Time

If you’ve noticed your eyes looking more hooded as the years go by, you’re not alone. It’s a completely normal part of the aging process. As we age, our skin naturally loses collagen and elasticity, which can lead to more pronounced hooding and sagging around the delicate eye area. The skin becomes thinner and less firm, causing that fold to become heavier. This is why understanding how to adapt your makeup routine is so important. With a few simple adjustments to your eye makeup application, you can create a look that feels fresh and flattering at any age.

Why Your Old Makeup Tricks Might Not Work Anymore

Feeling like your go-to eyeliner flick or shimmery shadow just doesn't have the same impact anymore? There’s a reason for that. With hooded eyes, the challenge is that eyeshadow can get hidden under the fold, and traditional techniques may not enhance your eyes as effectively. For instance, a dark color placed in your natural crease can disappear completely when your eyes are open. Using shimmer on the lid can make fine lines and texture more noticeable, while heavy eyeliner can make hooded eyes look smaller and heavier. It’s time for a new approach—one that creates the illusion of space and lift.

Your Toolkit: The Best Makeup for Hooded Eyes

Having the right products on hand makes all the difference. When you’re working with hooded eyes, the goal is to use formulas and finishes that create dimension and lift without settling into fine lines. Think of it as curating a small but mighty collection of essentials that will help you create a bright, defined eye look every single time. From the perfect base to the final lash coat, these are the products that will become your go-to's.

Start with a Great Eye Primer

Think of eye primer as the foundation for your entire look. It’s a non-negotiable step, especially for hooded eyes. Our eyelids can be naturally oily, which causes eyeshadow to crease, fade, or slide off throughout the day. A good primer creates a smooth, clean canvas for makeup application by evening out skin tone and minimizing redness. It gives your eyeshadow something to grip onto, ensuring your hard work stays put from morning to night. This is crucial when you’re strategically placing color to create lift, as you don’t want it to smudge or transfer onto your brow bone.

Choose Matte Eyeshadows Over Shimmer

Matte eyeshadows are your best friend when it comes to hooded eyes. While a touch of shimmer can be beautiful, placing it on the hooded part of the lid can actually emphasize texture and make the area look more prominent. Matte formulas, on the other hand, absorb light and are perfect for creating the illusion of depth and shadow. Use a fluffy brush to apply a neutral matte shade from our eye makeup collection just above your natural crease. This simple trick helps recede the hooded area, making your eyes appear more open and defined without highlighting any fine lines.

Find Your Perfect Waterproof Eyeliner and Tubing Mascara

With hooded eyes, precious lid space is at a premium. That’s why a technique called "tightlining" is so effective. Gently lift your upper eyelid and apply a waterproof eyeliner directly to your upper waterline. This defines your eyes and makes your lash base look fuller without drawing a thick line across your visible lid. For mascara, a tubing formula is a game-changer. Instead of coating your lashes with pigment, it forms tiny, water-resistant "tubes" around them. This means no smudging, flaking, or transferring onto your brow bone—a common frustration for those with hooded eyes.

Decide Between Cream and Powder Formulas

Both cream and powder eyeshadows have their place in a hooded-eye makeup routine. A cream eyeshadow in a shade that matches your skin tone can act as a fantastic base. It helps smooth out any uneven texture, fills in fine lines, and provides a long-lasting, matte finish that won’t crease. You can even wear it alone for a simple, polished look. Powder shadows are excellent for soft, buildable color. They are easy to blend, allowing you to create a seamless gradient of color that adds depth and dimension exactly where you want it.

How to Apply Eyeshadow to Wrinkled Hooded Eyes

Applying eyeshadow to hooded eyes is all about creating new dimensions. Since the natural crease is hidden, your goal is to create the illusion of a higher crease, which makes your eyes appear more open and lifted. It’s a simple technique that can completely change your makeup game. Forget everything you thought you knew about following your natural crease—we’re making our own rules here. With a few key adjustments to your application method, you can define your eyes beautifully and work with your unique eye shape, not against it. The right placement and blending are your best friends for achieving a bright, awake look that feels effortless.

Prep Your Lids with Primer and Concealer

Think of your eyelid as a canvas. Before you start painting, you want to make sure it’s smooth and even. This is where an eye primer comes in. A good primer does more than just make your eyeshadow last all day; it creates a silky base that helps shadow glide on without skipping over fine lines and prevents it from creasing in the fold of your lid. After applying a thin layer of primer, pat a small amount of concealer over your eyelid to neutralize any redness or discoloration. This ensures your eyeshadow colors look true to how they appear in the pan. Set it with a light dusting of translucent powder to lock everything in place.

Place Color Above Your Natural Crease

This is the most important trick for hooded eyes. When you look straight into a mirror, you’ll notice that your natural crease disappears under the fold of your skin. If you apply your crease color there, no one will see it! Instead, you need to create a new, higher crease. With your eyes open, use a soft brush to apply a medium-toned matte eyeshadow slightly above your natural crease, right on the area where the hood begins. This technique adds depth where you need it most and helps visibly lift the eye area.

Use Soft Blending to Smooth Texture

Blending is your secret weapon for a flawless finish, especially on skin with more texture. Harsh lines can look severe and draw attention to wrinkles, so you want everything to be soft and diffused. Using a clean, fluffy blending brush, gently blend the eyeshadow you placed above your crease. Use small, circular motions and light "windshield wiper" strokes to soften the edges. The key is to blend the color up toward your brow bone and out toward the tail of your brow. This upward motion creates a beautiful, lifted effect and makes your eyes look larger and more defined without any harshness.

Build Color Slowly for a Natural Look

It’s always easier to add more product than it is to take it away. Start with a light wash of a neutral matte shade from our eye makeup collection all over your lid, from the lash line up to your new, higher crease. This creates an even base. Then, using a smaller, more precise brush, gradually build up a slightly deeper shade in the outer corner and along that new crease line. Layering thin coats of color gives you complete control and results in a sophisticated, dimensional look that never feels heavy or overdone. This method ensures a polished finish every time.

Create the Illusion of a Higher Crease

One of the most effective techniques for hooded eyes is to create a new, higher crease. Since the natural crease is often hidden, faking one just above it gives the illusion of more lid space and a more open, lifted eye shape. This isn't about drawing a harsh line; it's about using soft shadows to strategically add depth where you want it. By defining this new area, you essentially redraw the contours of your eye, bringing your features forward and making your eyes the star of the show.

This simple trick can completely change your makeup game. It works with the natural shape of your eye to create balance and definition that might have softened over time. With a few well-placed products and the right blending technique, you can make your eyes look brighter, bigger, and more awake. It’s all about working smarter, not harder, to get a beautiful result.

Map Out Your New Crease Line

First, you need to find the right placement for your new crease. Look straight into a mirror with your eyes relaxed and open. If you tilt your head back slightly, you can see where the hooded part of your lid sags a bit. Using a precise pencil brush and a medium-toned matte eyeshadow, gently mark a small dot just above your natural crease, right above your pupil. This dot is your guide. It marks the highest point of your new crease, ensuring it will be visible when your eyes are open. This simple step is the foundation for a perfectly defined, lifted eye look.

Use Transition Shades to Add Depth

Now that you have your guide, it’s time to add some soft dimension. A transition shade is typically a matte eyeshadow that’s a few shades deeper than your skin tone. Using a small, fluffy blending brush, apply this color along your new, higher crease line, connecting it to your dot. The goal is to create a soft shadow that makes your lid space look bigger. We love using the shades in our Creator Eyeshadow Palette for this. Gently blend the color back and forth to diffuse any harsh edges. This step adds depth without looking heavy, making your eyes appear more open and defined.

Blend Up and Out for a Lifted Effect

The direction you blend is everything when it comes to creating a lifted look. Instead of blending down into your natural crease, always blend the eyeshadow up toward the tail of your eyebrow and outward. This motion visually pulls the eye upward, counteracting any droopiness. Focus this upward blending on the outer corner of your eye to create a subtle, cat-eye effect with shadow alone. This technique applies to all your eye makeup, from shadow to liner. Consistently directing everything up and out will give your entire eye area a more youthful and awake appearance.

Highlight Your Brow Bone

To complete the illusion of a lifted eye, add a touch of brightness right under your brow. A highlighter draws light to the area, making it appear more prominent and lifted. Using a light, matte eyeshadow—not a shimmer, which can emphasize texture—sweep a small amount directly under the arch of your eyebrow. This creates a clean, defined space between your new crease and your brow, making the entire area look more open. It’s a small detail that makes a huge difference, giving your eyes a final touch of brightness and polish.

A Simple, Step-by-Step Eyeshadow Routine

Ready to put it all together? This routine is designed to be quick, simple, and incredibly effective for creating a lifted, defined eye look. We’ll focus on creating a smooth canvas, strategically placing color to add dimension, and blending everything seamlessly. The goal isn't to hide your beautiful eyes but to enhance their shape and make them pop. Forget complicated, multi-step tutorials that leave you feeling frustrated. With just a few key products and the right techniques, you can create a polished look that feels comfortable and lasts all day. This is your new go-to method for bright, awake-looking eyes.

Step 1: Create a Smooth Base

Think of your eyelid as a canvas. Before you add any color, you want to make sure that canvas is perfectly smooth. Applying a cream eyeshadow base or a dedicated eye primer that matches your skin tone is the most important first step. This simple action does so much: it evens out any discoloration, fills in fine lines, and smooths over texture. The result is a flawless, matte base that helps your eyeshadow apply evenly and prevents it from creasing throughout the day. Gently pat the product all over your eyelid, from the lash line right up to the brow bone, to ensure everything is prepped and ready for color.

Step 2: Define the Outer Corner

Now, let’s add some gentle definition. Using a medium matte brown shade from an eyeshadow palette, we’re going to create the illusion of lift. Look straight into the mirror and gently pull your eyelid taut at the outer corner. The key is to apply this shadow just above where your eye naturally droops or folds. Placing the color here, rather than in your natural crease, helps visually lift the outer part of your eye, making it look more arched and open. This strategic placement is the secret to counteracting any hooding and creating a more awake appearance.

Step 3: Blend for a Seamless Finish

Blending is where the magic happens. Using a smaller, fluffy blending brush, go back to that same medium eyeshadow color you just placed. Starting at the outer corner, begin to blend the shadow back and forth using small, circular motions. The most important part of this step is to always work the brush upwards and outwards, away from the center of your eye. This upward blending motion continues that lifting effect we started in the previous step. Be patient and use a light hand; you want to diffuse the color for a soft, seamless finish, not a harsh line.

Eyeliner Tricks to Make Hooded Eyes Look Bigger

Eyeliner can feel like a challenge with hooded eyes, but a few simple adjustments to your technique can completely change the game. The goal is to define and lift your eyes without using thick, heavy lines that can make them appear smaller. By placing liner strategically, you can create the illusion of more space and definition, making your eyes look brighter and more open. These tricks work with your eye shape, not against it, for a beautiful, wide-awake look. Our collection of eye makeup has the perfect tools to get you started.

Tightline to Define Your Lash Line

Think of tightlining as your secret weapon for eye definition. This technique involves applying eyeliner to your upper waterline—that little strip of skin right under your upper lashes. By carefully tracing this area with a waterproof pencil, you create the look of a fuller, darker lash line from the root. This adds incredible definition to your eyes without taking up any visible lid space, which is a major plus for hooded eyes. It’s a subtle change that makes a big impact, making your lashes look thicker and your eyes more defined without a traditional, heavy line.

Apply Liner Strategically to the Upper Lid

When it comes to liner on your actual eyelid, less is definitely more. Applying a thick line all the way across can close off your eyes. Instead, take your waterproof eyeliner and draw a very thin line only on the outer third of your upper lash line. This little bit of liner at the outer corner helps to lift and elongate your eye shape. By keeping the inner part of your lid free of liner, you maintain that open, bright look. This strategic placement gives you all the benefits of eyeliner without the risk of it smudging or disappearing into your crease.

Create a Soft Wing to Lift Your Eyes

A sharp, dramatic cat-eye can sometimes look distorted or get lost in the fold of a hooded eye. A much more flattering alternative is a soft, smudged wing. After applying your liner to the outer third of your eye, use a small pencil brush or even your pinky finger to gently smudge the line up and out. This creates a soft, smoky lift that visually pulls the eye upward. It gives you that beautiful winged effect in a way that’s softer and more forgiving on skin with texture. This technique defines your eyes while adding a subtle, elegant lift.

How to Apply Mascara to Mature, Hooded Eyes

Mascara can be the final touch that makes your eyes pop, but for those of us with hooded or mature eyes, it can also be a source of frustration. When your lashes constantly touch your brow bone, smudging becomes an almost inevitable part of the day. And if your lashes are naturally straight or fine, they can easily get lost under the fold of your lid, making it feel like you’re not getting any impact from your mascara at all. The good news is that the right application technique can change everything. It’s not about piling on product or using complicated tools; it’s about strategic placement to create lift, definition, and length without any of the mess. With a few simple adjustments, you can make your lashes look longer and your eyes appear more open and awake. The key is choosing the right formula and knowing exactly where to apply it for maximum impact. Forget the old rules you might have learned—applying mascara to hooded eyes requires a slightly different approach that works with your eye shape, not against it. These tips will help you get a clean, lifted lash look every time you use your favorite eye makeup.

Pick a Tubing Mascara for No-Smudge Wear

If you find mascara constantly smudging onto your brow bone, a tubing mascara might be your new best friend. Instead of coating your lashes with pigment like traditional mascaras, tubing formulas form tiny, water-resistant "tubes" around each lash. This technology is fantastic, especially if your eyes tend to water or feel dry. Once they’re on, these tubes are completely smudge-proof and won’t flake or transfer throughout the day. The best part? Removal is surprisingly gentle. You don’t need harsh makeup removers; the tubes slide right off with just warm water and a little pressure. This makes it an excellent choice for mature eyes, giving you long-lasting, defined lashes without the risk of raccoon eyes.

Focus on the Tips of Your Lashes

When you have hooded eyes, the base of your lashes is often hidden. Loading up that area with mascara can weigh your lashes down and doesn't add much visible impact. Instead, concentrate the application on the tips of your lashes. After curling them, wiggle the mascara wand through the tips to add length and color where it will be seen most. This technique helps elongate the lashes and creates a fluttery, natural look without overwhelming your eye area. For extra definition without clumps, comb through your lashes with a clean spoolie or a lash separator immediately after applying. This ensures each lash is distinct, contributing to a more open and lifted appearance.

Go Easy on the Lower Lashes

Applying a heavy coat of mascara to your lower lashes can visually pull the eye down, creating a heavy or droopy effect. For mature eyes, this can also inadvertently draw attention to fine lines or dark circles. To maintain a fresh, youthful look, it’s best to either skip mascara on your lower lashes entirely or apply it very sparingly. If you feel you need a little definition, try using just the very tip of the mascara wand to lightly touch the roots of your bottom lashes. This adds a hint of color without the weight. Keeping the focus on beautifully defined upper lashes helps create a lifted effect that brightens your entire face.

Add the Finishing Touches

Once your eyeshadow and liner are in place, a few final details can make all the difference. These small steps help tie everything together, ensuring your eyes look bright, defined, and beautifully framed. Think of them as the last little flourishes that complete your look, giving your eye makeup a polished and professional feel that lasts all day.

Brighten Your Inner Corners

A little bit of light in the right place can instantly make your eyes look bigger and more awake. Take a soft, shimmery eyeshadow and gently press it into the inner corners of your eyes. This simple trick catches the light and creates a beautiful brightening effect. You can also sweep a small amount of this same shade just under the arch of your brow bone to add more lift. A champagne or soft gold eyeshadow shade works perfectly for this, adding a touch of radiance without being overpowering.

Groom Your Brows to Frame Your Eyes

Your eyebrows are the frames for your eyes, and giving them a little attention can dramatically enhance your entire look. Start by brushing your brow hairs up with a spoolie to create a fuller, more lifted shape. Then, if you have any sparse areas, use a fine-tipped brow pencil to draw light, hair-like strokes. The key is to fill in only where needed. Overfilling your brows can create a heavy look that weighs down your eyes, so a light hand is your best friend here. A well-groomed brow defines your eye area and completes the look.

Set Your Makeup to Prevent Creasing

To keep your hard work from creasing or fading, it’s important to set your makeup. After applying concealer or primer, take a fluffy brush and lightly dust a translucent setting powder over your eyelids. This step is especially helpful for hooded eyes, as it absorbs any excess oil and creates a smooth surface that prevents eyeshadow from settling into fine lines. It’s a quick step that locks in your look and ensures your eye makeup stays flawless from morning to night, so you don't have to worry about touch-ups.

Add a Hint of Color to Your Lower Lash Line

Defining your lower lash line can help open up your eyes and add a bit of soft definition. Use a small, precise brush to smudge a bit of the same darker shade you used in your crease along the outer third of your lower lashes. Avoid lining the entire lower lash line, as this can make your eyes appear smaller. By concentrating the color on the outer corner, you create a subtle shadow that adds depth and dimension, making your eyes the center of attention without closing them off.

Common Makeup Mistakes to Avoid

Learning new makeup techniques is fantastic, but sometimes, unlearning old habits can make an even bigger difference. When it comes to wrinkled or hooded eyes, a few common application mistakes can accidentally emphasize the very features you’d rather soften. The good news is that these are simple to fix. By avoiding a few key things, you can ensure your makeup enhances your eyes beautifully, making them look brighter, more lifted, and more defined. Let’s walk through some of the most common missteps and how to correct them for a flawless finish every time.

Placing Shimmer on the Hooded Part of the Lid

I know, we all love a good shimmer. But where you place it is crucial for hooded eyes. Shimmery eyeshadows work by reflecting light, which means they highlight and bring forward whatever surface they’re on. When you apply shimmer to the hooded part of your lid—the area with skin that folds over—it can accentuate texture and wrinkles. Instead of creating a lifted look, it can make the hood appear more prominent. A better approach is to use beautiful matte eyeshadows on the hood and in the crease to create soft definition. Save that pop of shimmer for the inner corner of your eye or the very center of your mobile lid to add a touch of light without highlighting texture.

Applying Too Much Product

When you’re trying to create definition, it can be tempting to pack on the product, but a heavy-handed approach often works against you. Too much eyeshadow, eyeliner, or concealer can settle into fine lines around the eyes, making them more noticeable. The goal is to keep your makeup soft, blended, and not too heavy. Start with a small amount of product on your brush and build the color slowly. This gives you more control and results in a smoother, more natural finish. Using high-quality, pigmented products means a little goes a long way, helping you create a polished look without the risk of it looking cakey or creased.

Using Colors That Close Off the Eyes

The colors you choose are just as important as your application technique. Dark, harsh shades applied all over the lid or heavily along the lower lash line can make your eyes appear smaller and more tired. Think of it like this: dark colors recede, which can cause the eyes to look sunken or closed off. Instead, opt for soft, neutral tones to create depth and definition. You can still use a darker shade to define your outer corner, but be sure to blend it well. For your lower lash line, try a soft brown shadow instead of a harsh black liner, and consider keeping it to the outer third of the eye to maintain an open, bright-eyed look.

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Frequently Asked Questions

If I only have five minutes, what's the one makeup trick that makes the biggest difference for hooded eyes? Focus on creating a new, higher crease. With your eyes open, use a soft matte eyeshadow and a fluffy brush to apply color just above where your eyelid naturally folds. Blending this shade up and out toward the tail of your brow instantly creates the illusion of more space and gives your eyes a visible lift. This single step does more to open up the eye area than anything else.

Can I really never wear shimmer eyeshadow again? Of course you can! The key isn't to avoid shimmer altogether, but to be strategic about where you place it. Since shimmer highlights texture, it's best to keep it off the hooded part of your lid. Instead, use your matte shades to create definition above your crease, and then press a touch of shimmer onto the inner corner of your eye or right in the center of your mobile lid for a beautiful pop of light that makes your eyes look bright and awake.

My eyeliner always transfers onto my upper eyelid. How can I stop this? This is a classic hooded-eye challenge, but it's completely solvable. First, always start with an eye primer to create a non-slip base. Second, instead of drawing a thick line across your entire lid, try tightlining your upper waterline to define your eyes without taking up precious lid space. If you want a line on your lid, keep it very thin and apply it only to the outer third of your eye. This gives you a lifted look with much less surface area to worry about smudging.

Is it possible to do a smoky eye with hooded eyes, or should I stick to light colors? You can absolutely rock a smoky eye. The technique just needs a small adjustment. Instead of packing a dark color all over your mobile lid where it will disappear, build your smoky look upwards from the lash line. Use your medium and dark matte shades above your natural crease, blending them up and out to create that signature smoky shape where it will actually be visible when your eyes are open. This method ensures you get that beautiful, diffused definition without closing off your eyes.

I'm overwhelmed by all the products. What are the absolute essentials I need to start with? It's easy to feel like you need a dozen products, but you can achieve a beautiful look with just a few key items. I recommend starting with three non-negotiables: a quality eye primer to smooth your lids and lock makeup in place, a versatile palette of neutral matte eyeshadows for creating definition, and a tubing mascara that won't smudge or flake onto your brow bone. These three essentials will form the foundation of any flattering eye look.