If you have hooded eyes, you know that applying eyeshadow can be a bit of a challenge. But it does not have to be. These tips will help you create flattering and dramatic looks with ease. So then, what are hooded eyes, and how do you apply eyeshadow on hooded eyes?

This article was contributed by @celineinco.

Hooded eyes are a completely normal eye shape that is inherited from your family and can become more prominent as we age.

While they are beautiful in their own right, it is helpful to know the best ways to apply your eye makeup to define your natural crease and make your eyes pop. Keep reading to learn about 15 different tips that will make all the difference when applying your makeup.

First, let's find out if you have hooded eyelids.

There are generally six types of eye shapes: almond, upturned, hooded, monolid, downturned, and round.

Here is how you can tell if you have hooded eyes:

First, do you have a crease? If not, you may have monolids. If yes, does the skin below your brow bone touch the main part of your mobile lid when your eyes are open? If so, then you have hooded eyes. The skin can range from only slightly covering your main lid to almost touching your lash line.

To get more specific, draw a horizontal line across your eyes to check whether your outer corners angle downwards or upwards. Upturned eyes angle upwards, downturned eyes angle downwards, round eyes appear very open with no taper, and almond eyes have a distinct taper.

The following 15 beauty tips will show you exactly how to apply eyeshadow on hooded eyes.

#1 How to apply eyeshadow on hooded eyes - Start with a good eye primer.

Since hooded eyes can easily cause eyeshadow to transfer, start with an eye primer, such as the Prime Time Eyeshadow Primer. Apply it over your upper eyelid from inner to outer corner and over your entire brow bone. Follow up with a skin toned eyeshadow shade to set the primer so that your eyeshadows blend smoothly.

#2 Eyes open or eyes closed?

The goal when applying eye makeup on hooded eyes is to make the lid appear more prominent while making the hood look less obvious. Applying eyeshadow with your eyes open helps you accurately find your natural crease when looking straight ahead.

#3 Apply the eyeshadow right above where you marked your crease instead of the natural fold of your eyelid.

Choose a matte eyeshadow one or two shades darker than your skin tone. Use a fluffy crease brush to blend the shadow in a windshield wiper motion just above your marked crease. Applying your eyeshadow here allows you to see the color when your eyes are open.

A soft mid tone shade similar to Brownie Points is perfect for building that new, higher crease.

#4 Brows

Brows frame your face. Shape and apply your brow products to create more space under the brow bone. This can be done by plucking hairs from the bottom of your brow, shaping an arch, and opting for a fluffier brow that will not weigh down your face.

#5 What eye shadow palette to use

Choose an eyeshadow palette with a mixture of colors. Shimmery lid shades reflect light well, lighter matte crease shades add depth, and darker matte shades provide contrast. Include a solid black or dark navy matte for winged liner looks so you can keep everything soft but defined.

#6 Minimize the upper brow bone?

Focus on applying your highlighter to the top of your brow bone to draw the eye upward. Add a wash of highlight along your temple to further lift the eyes. On hooded eyes, keep the area directly under the highest part of the brow more subtle so it does not look too puffy.

#7 Eyeliner for hooded eyes

Avoid applying thick eyeliner to the lower lash line as it can close off your eyes. Instead, apply a thin line to the upper lashes, focusing on the outer half, and draw the wing upwards so your eyes look lifted when they are open.

#8 Use more lid space

Using thin eyeliner on your upper lash line leaves room for eyeshadow on your mobile lid, creating a lifted look. Place a shimmery eyeshadow on the mobile lid for a larger eye appearance, extending the shimmer just past the hood for maximum color payoff.

Neutral mattes and strategic shimmer work especially well on hooded eyes. Soft base shades like Porcelain, mid tone transition shades like Brownie Points or Iced Mocha, and deeper colors like Black Magic at the lash line give you definition without closing the eye.

#9 Use the straight line technique

To lift the eye, use a cloth or a straight edge from your nose to the outer corner of your eyebrow. Place eyeshadow just above your natural crease and blend across to the cloth to create a fake, defined crease that angles upward.

#10 Use this disconnected wing look

For a wing that will not look droopy, use a disconnected wing technique. Draw a line from the outer corner upwards and another line from the tip towards your lash line, making sure to go over the hood with eyes open for a lifted look. Fill in the gap to complete the wing.

#11 Create a cut crease

A cut crease fakes a higher fold. Add a transition shade, use concealer to outline your new lid, and layer with a light eyeshadow. Finish with eyeliner for a defined look that shows even when you are looking straight ahead.

#12 Smokey liner

For a simpler look, try a smokey liner. Start with a dark shade at the outer corner, layer with a lighter shade, and blend to create a gradient effect. Define with the darker shade if needed. This is softer than a harsh line but still adds plenty of impact.

For a more detailed visual guide, you can watch Angela Bright’s tutorial on cut creases and then adapt her placement to your own hooded lid shape.

#13 Invest in a good mascara.

For hooded eyes, a good waterproof mascara prevents smudging on the hood or brow bone. False lashes can open up hooded eyes and sometimes eliminate the need for additional liner.

#14 Your beautiful hooded eyes can rock any and all makeup looks.

Mastering these tips can take your makeup game from good to great. Once you understand placement, you can wear soft everyday looks, colorful smokey eyes, and graphic liner in ways that flatter your unique shape.

#15 Hooded eye makeup tips are not just for young people.

Aging can cause lids to droop further, but bold, intricate looks are achievable at any age. Focus on lift, light, and definition and you can play with shimmer, depth, and even bolder colors at every stage of life.

Bonus #16 - Straight line your bottom eyeliner

When you want a more defined lower lash line without dragging the eye downward, use a straight line approach that hugs the lashes, connects softly to your upper liner, and keeps the outer corner slightly lifted.