Eyeshadow for Hooded Eyes

If you consume beauty tutorials on YouTube, or have ever turned to TikTok for makeup tips and tricks, chances are you’ve discovered a technique or two that you’d like to try on yourself. Perhaps its overlined lips to create the perfect pout. Or, maybe you’ve always wanted to pull off a dark, edgy eyeshadow. Experimenting with cosmetics is a creative release, but unfortunately, not every trend compliments all types of face shapes and features. For example, individuals with hooded eyes have to find an alternative approach to applying eyeshadow.

“How can I tell if I have hooded eyes”, you may ask? The characteristics of hooded eyes include a prominent brow bone, deep set crease, and barely visible eyelids. If this sounds like you, you’ll want to continue reading for our professional pointers for applying eyeshadow for hooded eyes.

How to apply eyeshadow for hooded eyes

Just like you’d adjust the way you contour to the shape of your face, you need to apply your eyeshadow based on your unique eye shape. The same combination of eyeshadow, eyeliner and mascara can look completely different on individuals with different eye shapes, such as almond, round, or upturned. Below we’ll detail the do’s and don’ts when applying eyeshadow for hooded eyes.

Do’s for Makeup with Hooded Eyelids

Apply an eyeshadow primer

Before the artist begins her masterpiece, she must first prep her canvas. The same principle applies to your makeup, which is why eyeshadow primer is a no-skip step. With the help of a quality makeup primer, your shadow will stay put and won’t cake or crease.

Keep eyes open when applying eyeshadow

For those with hooded eyes finding your natural crease can be difficult, especially with your eyes closed. That’s why we suggest keeping your eyes open instead. By focusing your eyes straight ahead, you’ll avoid smudging and can clearly see where your eyeshadow is being applied.

Create the illusion of a deeper crease

The magic of makeup is that you can use it to create just about any illusion. A dark, dramatic crease is the ultimate go-to trick if you have hooded eyes. Cutting your crease, as a makeup artist might call it, deceives the eye into believing the brow bone and lid are more deeply defined. Depending on the color of your base eyeshadow, you’ll want to choose a crease color that’s just one to two shades darker. With your Moody Sisters Large Shadow Brush, sweep your eyeshadow just slightly above your eyelid’s natural crease line, and blend upward toward the brow.

Perfect the winged liner look

Achieving flawless cat eyeliner is a skill that takes much practice to master. But once you do, it will be your best friend for giving your eyes more depth and dimension. Try to draw as delicate a line as possible, flicking up toward the tail of your brow. Our Moody Eyeliner is the perfect product for executing a winged liner look with ease. Water-resistant and long-lasting, our gel eyeliner can be used to create sharp, precise lines that won’t wear off throughout the day.

Highlight the arch of your brow

Instead of highlighting your entire brow bone, focus specifically on the peak or arch. Creating a focal point will draw the eye inward rather than bringing the entire brow bone forward. Use a highlighter eye shadow shade.

What Not to Do With Hooded Lids

Use metallic shades

As eye-catching as they may be, metallic eyeshadow shades aren’t ideal for hooded eyes. Because of their reflectiveness, shimmery shadows will catch the light, and cause your lids to look plump and puffy. Use satin or matte eye shadow finishes.

Forget about mascara

Lengthening your lashes with mascara will help to open those big beautiful eyes for the world to admire. You can alternately use false eyelashes or even eyelash extensions if you’re feeling bougie. Not to brag, but our mascara is essential for long, luscious eyelashes. This water-resistant formula is water resistant and won’t transfer or flake. Choose from black or brown, or have both on hand to mix and match.

Arch your brows

Big, bold brows were all the rage throughout the 2010’s with celebs like Cara Delevinge inspiring eyebrow envy. And while we still love a strong bushy brow now and then, those of you with hooded eyes should try something a tad more tame. Arched eyebrows are perfect for framing hooded eyes, and bring balance to your overall look.

Comb your hairs with a spooley, fill in your brows with our perfect Precision Eyebrow Pencil, and give them a slight arch just above the outer corners of your eyes. Be careful not to overdraw your eyebrows, as this will only emphasize your hooded eyelids.

Best eyeshadow for hooded eyes

Cream or Pressed Powder

If you have a preference of cream or pressed powder eyeshadow, you won’t have to make a choice between the two. Luckily, they both work well for hooded eyes, as long as the formula is smooth enough to be applied without stretching or tugging at your eyelids.

Satin or Matte Finishes

As fun and flirty as shimmery shadows can be, it’s best to apply them subtly if you have hooded eyes. Instead, opt for matte formulas like our Pressed Natural Shadows in Dragon, Mirkwood, Misty, or Spellbound. You can even begin with a matte base, and finish off with a slight satin finish.