How to: Eye Makeup Tips for Hooded Eyes, Monolids & Asian Eyes
Whether you’ve got hooded eyes, monolids, part monolids, or a single crease, eye makeup can be tricky to master on eyeshapes that don’t have very much lid space. From eyeliner to eyeshadow, it can be frustrating trying to recreate and master many eye makeup styles. Whilst it may not be possible to copy a wide variety of looks, with a few tips and a change or two in technique you can easily create a beautiful eye makeup look that accentuates the eyes. (Many people who descend from Asia or have Asian ancestry/heritage have eyes with minimal lid space, but there are varying shapes and characteristics to this. There is not one "Asian" eye shape just as there is not one eye shape for everyone based on a single ethnicity alone) Here, Makeup Tips beauty writer Marielle demonstrates a range of tips for those with hooded eyes. (Marielle has hooded, part-monolid eyes and Filipino heritage)
Prep and prime
Prepping your eyelids for eye shadow and other eye makeup is essential if you have eyes with any type of a hood or dramatic fold. Hooded eyes don’t tend to hold shadow as well, due to the deep fold eyeshadow has a tendency to “gather” at the folds and crease of the eye meaning creasing and smudging is inevitable. Start each eye makeup application with a light layer of eyeshadow primer and set with a light eyeshadow for best and long lasting results.
Change your technique
Rather than following the standard technique of eyeshadow, (lid shade, crease shade, and outer corner shade) those with hooded eyes are best to implement a different technique. First try sweeping one shimmery light eyeshadow shade all over the eyelid , extending past the natural crease to give the illusion of more lid space. Then take a medium-dark shade on a small eyeshadow brush, hold it at the outer corner of the eye and gently “pull” it upwards to create a subtle lifted effect, blend well and add a darker colour to intensify if necessary. When applying eyeshadow try and always do so with your eyes open (as this will ensure you get the correct placement and that the eyeshadow is visible at all times) Confused? Take a look at this tutorial demonstrating this technique.
Use eyeliner, but use it with caution
Application of eyeliner can be tricky for most people, but just because you have hooded eyes doesn’t mean you need to avoid eyeliner altogether. Eyeliner should be used with the uttermost caution and applied sparingly as not to overpower the eye. Even a small amount of eyeliner can appear to take up the entire lid space. Tightlining and waterlining are two techniques that work beautifully for hooded eyes as they take up no lid space and simply define the eyes and make the lashes look thicker. That being said, there is still room to experiment; try using an ultra-fine liquid liner to apply a thin line along the lashes. For a more elongated shape you can wing the eyeliner out or for a more rounded looking, larger eye; finish it off without winging it out. Smudged and softened eyeliner can also look great on this eye shape as it will create a more softer, natural looking eye rather than a harsh line with cuts off the eye. Pencil eyeliners can work great for this, and also gels which can easily be smudged out with a small brush.
Mascara is a must
Hooded eyes often need a little lift in the lash department, otherwise it can create a droopy effect. If you have hooded eyes you most likely have very voluminous lashes (ie: a lot of them) but not much length and lift. Ensure you curl your lashes prior to applying mascara and use a wiggling motion, starting at the base of the lashes when applying mascara for the most length and lift. It’s also important to choose a mascara which has great qualities and performs well. Try: Benefit They're Real Hourglass Caution Extreme Lashor Eyeko Skinny Mascara (pictured here)
Highlight above the brow, not below it
Most eye makeup tutorials will often finish off the look with a highlighter applied along the brow bone to create a more lifted look, but this can often have the reverse effect on hooded eyelids as it draws attention to one of the eyelid areas with more skin. Instead of applying highlighter along the brow bone (which can also draw attention to any stray hairs!) try applying it ABOVE the brow. A light line of highlighter blended above the very arch of the brow can create a beautiful illusion of naturally lifted eyes and a well-defined brow.
SHOP THIS POST VIA OUR AFFILIATES Tartelette Toasted Eyeshadow Palette • Tarte
HOURGLASS - Caution Extreme Lash Mascara - Ultra Black • Hourglass
Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eye Liner • Stila
Chantecaille Brow Lift E'clat • Chantecaille
Smudgeproof Eyeshadow Base • NARS
Eyeko Lengthening Skinny Brush Long & tall Mascara • Eyeko
Benefit Cosmetics They're Real! Lengthening Mascara • Benefit Cosmetics
