A Guide to Eyeliner for Hooded Eyes

If you have hooded eyes, you may find eyeliner application a little trickier than people with other eye shapes do. For example, have you drawn a perfect stroke of liner with your eyelid shut, only to watch it disappear as soon as you open your eye? That can be frustrating, but there is a solution.

What’s classed as a hooded eye?

Firstly, let’s clarify what the term ‘hooded eyes’ really means: If the skin under your brow droops close to your lash line, leaving you with little to no visible lid space (when your eyes are open), your eyes can be classified as hooded.

Best eyeliner styles for hooded eyes

Graphic eyeliner for hooded eyes

If you’re restricted when lining lids that are hooded, try taking a graphic approach by lining along the lower lids instead.

Reverse eyeliner for hooded eyes

For an easy go-to if you have hooded eyelids, try applying your eyeliner heavily all along the lower lash line, dragging the liner into the inner corners.

Cat eye eyeliner for hooded eyelids

Try dragging your eyeliner up towards the tail of your brow to create the perfect cat eye look.

Subtle eyeliner for hooded eyes

Want something a little softer? Try playing around with neutral colours – like this forest green alternative to the traditional black hue. This may also be the best way to do thin eyeliner for hooded eyes.

Top tips for applying eyeliner to hooded eyes

We quizzed make-up artist Katrin Rees on her best tips for eyeliner on hooded eyes, as well as her recommendations on the best eyeliner for hooded eyes, and here’s what we learned.

Keep your lines crisp

When you don’t have too much lid space to work with, thick strokes of eyeliner are best avoided. “It’s important to keep the liner precise and close to the lash line when working on hooded eyes,” recommends Rees. “You want definition without taking over your entire lid space with product.”

Tightline your eyes for subtle definition

Don’t ignore that sliver of skin that shows right under your lashes. “Using liner on the upper waterline will help by accentuating the shape without taking up any more space,” says Rees.

Tightlining your eyes will also make your lashes appear fuller without seeming unnatural. We recommend using a dark, smudge-proof formula to do this. The Waterproof Eye Pencil in Black Tulip is a good pick.

Think about the placement of your eyeliner

Often, starting your eyeliner from the inner corners of the eyes isn’t the best idea. Instead, start the liner from the centre of the eye and it will open the eyes up and give the impression of more lid space.

Prime your lids

People with hooded eyes often deal with eyeliner smudging into their eye crease. The solution? A good eye primer. “It helps to create a base for the make-up to sit on and prevents the skin’s natural oil from moving and smudging the product.”

Choose a liquid formula

If most eyeliners tend to smudge on you, choose a long-wearing liquid formula, which often proves to be the best smudge proof eyeliner for hooded eyes. “These set quickly and have great staying power – just be aware that if they set quickly, you need to be able to finish the liner fast too!”

Try: The Graphik Ink Eyeliner, £22, which is a great liquid eyeliner for hooded eyes. Its transfer-proof formula will not budge once it has set, and the fine tip lets you draw crisp, precise lines with ease.

Or, smudge your liner intentionally

“You can do a gorgeous smoky liner with hooded eyes,” says the make-up artist. “It will help hide the natural crease of the eye, giving the impression that the eyes lift at the outer edges.”

She adds: “Go sultry and take your eyeshadow a tad above the natural crease of the eye; it will mean your eyes seem larger as the shape will fake it.”

Don’t ignore your lower lash line

“Make the most of your lower lash line – use highlighter or eyeshadows in glowing tones in the inner corners and underneath (inner to mid-point). If you want to bring focus to the eyes, it doesn’t always have to be on top.”

Get creative

There are so many styles of graphic eyeliner that look fantastic on hooded eyes. Try a floating liner look (where a single stroke of liner is drawn above the crease of the eye), batwings or a reverse winged eyeliner.

How to do a winged eyeliner on hooded eyes

Wondering how to do winged eyeliner for hooded eyes? As if regular eyeliner wasn’t hard enough, creating winged eyeliner on hooded eyelids can be even more challenging. Rees emphasises that to get the wings right, ensure you draw them on with your eyes open. Follow her step-by-step guide to get it right:

• Step 1: Use an angled brush as a stencil to help stamp the shape, as if it’s following the lower lash line out and upwards – this is super flattering as it lifts the eye shape too.
• Step 2: Tilt your head slightly back and keep both eyes open (this means there will be no creasing when you straighten) and draw a slim liner.
• Step 3: Straighten your head up and join your line into a triangle that meets the crease of the eye – this will give a fabulous result and a super sharp finish to the liner.

Next read: The Secret To Seductive Eye Make-Up

How to do Eyeliner 

The Expert Way To Do Smokey Eye Make-up