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If you have hooded eyes, you know the struggle—eyeliner that transfers to your upper lid, disappears into your crease, or smudges in minutes. Hooded eyes can rock eyeliner—it just takes the right techniques and a little practice. Whether you’re going for a natural look or a dramatic wing, these expert tips will help you define and enhance your eyes beautifully.
Here’s how to master eyeliner on hooded eyes for a lifted, smudge-free finish that lasts.
What Are Hooded Eyes?
Hooded eyes are a common eye shape where a fold of skin droops over the crease, making the eyelid appear smaller. This can cause eyeliner to transfer or disappear when the eyes are open.
Common challenges with hooded eyes
- Eyeliner smudging on the upper lid
- Wings that get hidden or look uneven
- Difficulty finding space to draw a visible line
- Uneven thickness between both eyes
But with the right tools and techniques, these can be completely manageable—and even turned into an advantage!
Choose Smudge-Proof, Long-Wear Formulas
With hooded eyes, your eyeliner is more likely to come into contact with your upper lid, so choosing the right formula is essential.
Best eyeliner types for hooded eyes
- Gel liners (in pots or pencil form): Easy to control and long-lasting.
- Waterproof liquid liners: Excellent for sharp wings and staying put all day.
- Tightlining pencils: Great for defining the lash line without taking up lid space.
Avoid: Soft kohl pencils or overly creamy formulas that can smear or migrate into the crease.
Pro Tip: Always set pencil liner with a matching eyeshadow to lock it in place.
Tightlining: Your Secret Weapon
Tightlining—lining the upper waterline—adds depth without taking up lid space, making your lashes appear fuller and eyes more awake.
How to do it
- Use a waterproof, retractable pencil.
- Gently lift your lid to expose the waterline.
- Line directly under your lashes from corner to corner.
- Blink a few times to soften any harsh edges.
This trick alone can make a huge difference for hooded eyes.
Go Thin and Build Gradually
The biggest mistake with hooded eyes is applying thick liner that disappears when your eyes are open. A thin, controlled application gives you definition without overpowering your lids.
Follow these tips
- Start with a super thin line at the inner corner.
- Gradually thicken as you move outward.
- Use short, controlled strokes for precision.
- Always check your work with your eyes open and relaxed, not pulled or stretched.
Pro Tip: Rest your pinky on your cheekbone for better control while applying.
Master the Hooded Eye Wing
Wings can be tricky on hooded eyes, but not impossible. The key? Adapt the angle to your natural eye shape.
The “bat wing” trick for hooded eyes
- Look straight ahead with your eyes open.
- Draw a small line angling upwards from your outer corner—don’t follow your lower lash line.
- With eyes still open, connect the tip of the wing back to your lash line in a small triangle.
- Fill it in and clean up with a pointed cotton swab or concealer.
This technique creates a crisp, lifted wing that’s visible even when your eyes are open.
Don’t Forget the Lower Lash Line
Lining just the top can sometimes make hooded eyes look smaller. Softly smudging the lower lash line balances the look and opens the eyes.
Try this
- Use a small angled brush and a soft brown or charcoal eyeshadow.
- Lightly smudge along the lower lashes, focusing on the outer third.
- Blend well to avoid harsh lines.
Avoid heavy black liner all the way around—it can close off your eyes.
Set It and Forget It
For hooded eyes, setting your eyeliner is the final must-do step.
How to lock in your liner
- Use a matching matte eyeshadow to trace over pencil liner.
- Apply a bit of translucent setting powder on the brow bone to absorb oil.
- Use an eyelid primer before applying any makeup to prevent transfer.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’S)
Q1: Why does my eyeliner always smudge on hooded eyes?
A. Hooded eyes have more lid-to-lid contact, so smudging happens when the eyeliner isn’t set or isn’t waterproof. Using a primer, waterproof liner, and setting with powder or shadow helps prevent this.
Q2: Can I wear winged eyeliner with hooded eyes?
A. Yes! The trick is to adjust the wing’s angle and shape while your eyes are open. Avoid following the lower lash line and instead draw wings that lift upward slightly for visibility.
Q3: What’s the best eyeliner color for hooded eyes?
A. Black is classic, but softer tones like brown, navy, or plum can enhance your eye color without looking too harsh, especially for daytime looks.
Final Thoughts
Hooded eyes don’t mean you have to skip eyeliner—in fact, the right techniques can make your eyes look more lifted, defined, and expressive than ever. From choosing the best formulas to mastering tightlining and smudge-proof wings, you now have all the tools to level up your eyeliner game.
So the next time you line your eyes, embrace those gorgeous lids and show off what makes your eye shape unique!
