8 eye makeup tips for hooded eyelids

Jennifer Lawrence has them. Blake Lively too. Oh, and Nicole Kidman. Yes, if you’re the owner of hooded eyelids (where excess skin folds down from the brow bone making your crease basically non-existent) you’re certainly in good company. 

To help you look as good as these A-listers, we’ve gathered all our best tricks for opening up drowsy-looking lids. These products and eye makeup techniques will make your eyes pop. Promise. 

1. Make use of highlighter

Hooded eyelids can make you appear tired even after a solid sleep thanks to the lack of lid space which can make the eye appear closed. Fake bright eyes by applying illuminator or a golden shimmery eyeshadow onto the inner corners of your eye, across your eyelid and up towards the brow bone. Take the colour down under your lower lash line, too, to create a brightening halo effect around the eye. Finish with lashings of lengthening mascara on the top and bottom lashes.

Product pick: NYX Cosmetics Born to Glow Liquid Illuminator 

2. Invest in an eye primer

Eye primer is optional for those with almond shaped eyes, but it’s a must-have for hooded lids, which have a tendency to smear and smudge eye makeup. Using a primer will prep the skin for eyeshadow and eyeliner application, making it crease less and stay put for a whole lot longer.

Product pick: Dior Backstage Eye Primer

3. Get creative with a cat eye

Creating a straight eyeliner flick on the upper lid of a hooded eye is almost as difficult as making it stay put. So, why not flip your cat eye and apply the liner along the lower lash line instead? By extending the line out and taking it up towards your brow bone you’ll avoid the hooded lid altogether, but still get the effect of the flick. Genius!

Product pick: Bourjois Felt Tip Eyeliner

4. Embrace shimmery shadow

Sparkly, shimmery shadows are a godsend for hooded eyes because they brighten the eye area by creating the illusion of light where there is often darkness. Wear a gleaming champagne eyeshadow shade with brown eyeliner on your upper waterline with a lashing of mascara for a fresh, feminine look.

Product pick: Maybelline New York Eye Studio® Hyper Diamonds Eyeshadow 

5. Pay attention to your brows

Full, groomed brows with subtle arches help frame the face and make it appear more youthful. They also open up the eyes, making hooded eyes appear more awake. If you haven’t already done so, consult a professional brow artist who can help shape the perfect brow for your face, and use an eyebrow product daily to fill in and further define your brows.

Product pick: Nude By Nature Brow Liner

6. Go easy on the dark hues

Block-like dark coloured eyeshadows aren’t flattering on a hooded eye because they make the eyelid appear smaller and sleepy. But this doesn’t mean dark shades are off limits entirely. Make sure you keep the smouldering hues to the outer half of your upper lid and always take the colour under your lower lash line to create balance. Then, add a highlighting shade in the inner corners and you’re good to go.

Product pick: Estée Lauder Pure Color Envy Sculpting EyeShadow 5-Color Palette

7. Always blend above the crease

If you’ve ever put on eyeshadow only to find it disappeared as soon as you open your eyes, you’ll know the difference extending your eyeshadow makes. Always blend eyeshadow above your natural crease and up towards the brow bone for greater impact and longevity. 

Product pick: The Body Shop Eyeshadow Blender Brush

8. Waterproof formulas are winners

Smudged eye makeup is the number one issue for hooded eyes. By opting for waterproof formulas wherever possible, you’ll minimise smears, smudges and transfers. Quick-drying formulas will also make your eye makeup a whole lot more budge-proof.

Product pick: Lancôme Hypnôse Doll Eyes Waterproof Mascara

Images: Getty