Eyeshadow Tips for Deep Set Hooded Eyes

Struggling with eyeshadow because of deep set hooded eyes? You’re not alone…and you’re not doing anything wrong. These eye shapes are beautiful, but they often need a different technique to really make your eyes pop. Whether your eyeshadow disappears when your eyes are open or everything creases by noon, these simple tips will help you apply eyeshadow in a way that actually works for you.

FAQs

What’s the difference between hooded eyes and deep set eyes? Hooded eyes have a fold of skin that droops over the crease, while deep set eyes are positioned deeper into the skull, creating the illusion of a more prominent brow bone. Many women (especially over 40) have a combination of both, which can make eyeshadow tricky without the right technique!
Should I avoid shimmer or glitter on hooded eyes? Not at all! But placement is key! Shimmer is best applied to the center of your lid or inner corner to bring light and lift.
How can I keep eyeshadow from transferring or creasing? Use a good eyeshadow primer to prep the lid and set cream shadows with powder.
How do I make my eyes look bigger and more lifted? Try this: Use a light matte shade on the brow bone. Apply a medium matte shade above your natural crease to create a lifted “faux crease”. Keep liner thin and close to the lash line. Curl your lashes and apply mascara that lifts and separates.

What are Deep Set Eyes or Hooded Eyes?

According to the Cadogan Clinic, “Hooded eyes feature a heavy brow bone with a deep-set crease. In hooded eyes, skin hangs down over the crease. This makes your upper eyelid look smaller. If you cannot see the crease when your eyes are open, then this means you have hooded eyes.” (resource)

Hooded eyes have a fold of skin that droops over the crease, while deep set eyes are positioned deeper into the skull, creating the illusion of a more prominent brow bone.

There are lots of women that have hooded eyes! It’s not a good or a bad thing…it’s just natural. But knowing how your eyelids are made will help you know how to apply eyeshadow so you look your best.

Eyeshadow Application Techniques for Deep Set Hooded Eyes

There is a strategy in applying eyeshadow for deep set or hooded eyes. Here are a few simple tips that you can use:

Apply a medium brown in the crease of your eye to give it dimension. Apply it with your eye open and blend it back and forth in the crease. This will help apply the color in and above the crease so you can see the color when your eyes are open. Having a good eyeshadow blending brush is key! This Eyeshadow Brush is amazing!
Apply a light color on the inner 1/3 of your eyelid. This helps open and brighten up your eyes. This Smudge Brush is great for pressing color right on your lid.
Apply a dark color on the outer corner of your eye. This helps draw the eye out. Apply it in a sideways V shape and blend it UP! This will lift the eye up.
Add a light color under the highest part of your brow and on the inner corner of your eye. This lifts and brightens the eye.
Don’t apply eyeliner on the entire upper and lower lid. Just focus on the outer corners. If you apply it fully on the upper and lower lashes, then it makes the eye look smaller. Focusing on the outer corners will help them look bigger. This Multitasker Brush is great for applying cream eyeliner. It makes it easy to control and apply.
For mascara, apply it on your top AND bottom lashes. This will help them look bigger and wider. My very favorite mascara is the Thrive Liquid Lash Extensions. It’s so so good!

Watch the video below for a step-by-step hooded eye eyeshadow tutorial. This is the eyeshadow palette I used in the video…the colors are very versatile and look great on everyone!

Check out these eyeshadow tutorials for other ways to apply eyeshadow!

Makeup Tools and Products for Hooded Eyes

Having the right makeup tools and products makes all the difference in a great makeup application! Here are some tools and products that will help you get a great look:

Eyeshadow Brush– This is the best eyeshadow brush for blending!
Smudge Brush– This is a great brush for applying eyeshadow exactly where you want it. The dense bristles help get a pretty full coverage application.
Multitasker Brush– This is the best brush to apply cream eyeliner! It makes the application process so quick and easy! Plus, it can be used for lots of other purposes too (brows, eyeshadow, lip liner, lip stick).
Brown Eyeshadow– A mid-tone brown is a great color to have in your eyeshadow palette so you can create shadow and dimension.
Dark Eyeshadow– A dark shadow will add dimension on the outer corner of the eye.
Light-Medium Eyeshadow– Apply a light-medium color on the main part of your eyelid. Going for something too dark will close the eye off, making it look smaller.
Light Shimmer Eyeshadow– Every gal needs a light shimmer shadow in their palette to brighten under the brow and on the inner corner of the eye.
Cream Eyeliner– Cream eyeliner is an easy way to get a lined look without having to worry about precision and cleanliness. Using cream eyeliner with the Multitasker Brush will help you quickly apply a line. Since it’s cream, it’s easy to apply and easy to clean up if you make a little mess in the process.
Eyeshadow Primer– If you’re going to go through all the effort to apply a pretty eyeshadow look, then make sure it stays all day! This eyeshadow primer works great!
Mascara– You must invest in a great mascara if you want great lashes! The Thrive Liquid Lash Extensions mascara is my very favorite…I’ve been wearing it for years!

What Eyeshadow Color Should I Wear?

The real answer is that you can wear whatever eyeshadow color that you feel confident in! But if you want to know what colors will help your eyes pop, then check out these blog posts for your specific eye color:

Have you ever felt like you wasted money on a prebuilt eyeshadow palette before?? You only end up using some of the colors and toss the rest?! Build your own custom eyeshadow palette so you get exactly what you want and need!

Hopefully these eyeshadow tips for deep set hooded eyes was helpful! Sometimes makeup application is a little trial and error until you get what works for you. Have fun in the process and know that you are beautiful just the way you are!

Here are some other blogposts you might enjoy:

About the Author

JoEllen is a licensed aesthetician, certified makeup artist, and certified John Maxwell coach, speaker, and trainer. She works with women helping them look and feel confident. She loves teaching women simple beauty techniques so they can feel empowered to try it at home. Her motto is that when you look and feel good, you do good!

*This post contains affiliate links. If you choose to purchase an item featured in this post, I get a small portion from the sale. Thank you! It does not affect you at all.

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