Look Younger With These 10 Beauty Steps to LIFT Your Hooded Eyes

I remember the first time I heard a beauty YouTuber talk about ‘hooded’ eyes, I was thinking, “What the heck is that?” As I was doing some research, I realized… that I actually have hooded eyes. So…what are hooded eyes??

What Are Hooded Eyes?

Hooded eyes basically means you have a small flap of excess skin under each eyebrow. That flap of skin conceals your crease and often your eyelids too. They are more common than you might think. Some people are born with hooded eyes. But a lot of time, as we age, and our skin laxity intensifies, our eyes become more hooded. The older I’ve gotten, the droopier my upper lid has gotten and the more both my crease and lid has disappeared.

** Be sure to scroll all the way to end to see a VERY exciting new concealer launch by Tarte (they are known for concealers and this is SO good!!) **  I love Tarte because they not only make wonderful products, their products are also free of Parabens, Mineral Oil, Phthalates, Triclosan,  Sodium Lauryl Sulfate and Gluten.Check out more clean beauty options here.

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See how my skin is folding down over my lid??

How Do You Know If You Have Hooded Eyes?

Take a good look in the mirror with your eyes wide open. Do you see a crease? Do you see your eyelid? If the crease and lid are barely visible or hidden underneath the upper part of your lid…you have hooded eyes! Just like anything, there are varying degrees.

Still Not Sure?

If you are still not sure, look at celebrities like Cate Blanchett, Viola Davis, and Jennifer Aniston. They are all celebrities over 40 with hooded eyes. As I said, hooded eyes can be brought on by age OR you can be born with them. Some younger celebrities that have hooded eyes are Blake Likely, Taylor Swift and Jennifer Lawrence if you’re looking for more references!

How To Do Makeup For Hooded Eyes…

Once you’ve determined you DO have hooded eyes, now what? Well, I’m happy to share that there are some VERY simple makeup techniques to not only define your crease and add lid space, but they can also LIFT the eyes! Exciting stuff, I know.

Here’s my requisite disclaimer.  I am NOT a makeup artist, but I’ve been doing my own eyes for years, and I also did a ton of research in order to bring you the best tips.

Your Makeup Goals for Hooded Eyes:

1) Add definition to the crease,
2) Create more lid space
2) Make eyes look more lifted

Here’s how…

Step #1 | Prime the Eyelid

When you have a droopy or protruding upper lid, it’s much easier for that skin to interfere with your perfect eyeshadow application. Smudging is almost a certainty. To help prevent this, use an eye makeup primer first. I really like the Too Faced Shadow Insurance Anti-Crease Eyeshadow Primer.
Shop more eye primers here.

Step #2 | Use Light Shade On Eyelid

Let’s talk color for a moment. Light shadows bring something forward, while darker shades recede. With that in mind, if you have hooded eyes, in order to create more lid real estate, the first thing you should do is add a lighter shade all over the lid. Remember that light shade brings it forward and it will help to create the illusion that you have more lid space.

Please, do NOT use sparkly shadows on the base or crease.

The eyeshadow palette I’m using is one of my favorites by Tarte! Tarte makes gorgeous eyeshadow palettes and this one is the tartlette in bloom clay palette. It has really beautiful matte shades as well three pretty shimmery shades. For this makeup look I’m using the shades Charmer and Rebel.

Shop more eyeshadow palettes here.

Step #3 | Define The Crease

To create more of a crease on my eyes, I’m using “Rebel”­­­­ from the tartlette in bloom clay palette. You can add a slightly darker shade to the corner to add even more definition. I applied the shadow slightly above my natural crease. Since most of us with hooded eyes have very little crease and we often have skin hanging down… creating a higher crease not only gives you definition and the illusion of actually having a crease, it also LIFTS the eyes, making you look more youthful!!

Pro Tips

I also apply the shadow so it’s angled up and drawing the eyes up, versus down…again creating that lifting effect. Use an imaginary line, or a tissue to keep a straight, angled line while applying.  And, be sure to leave space between your new, fake crease and the brow… to highlight your brows. Use a soft, fluffy brush to really soften and blend the crease color. I LOVE the Mac 217 brush for the crease!

Step #4 | Add Shimmer To Center of Lid

This is sometimes referred to as, “The Halo Effect.” Add a bit of shimmer in the center of the lid… from the lash line to the crease… being careful not to go too high. This will help bring the actual lid forward and create the illusion you have more lid space. This is where shimmer WORKS for women at any age!!

Step #5 | Use Light Shade on Inner Corners

And, you can add even more shimmer to the corners of your eyes to make them look larger and more awake. Don’t forget to highlight your brows too with a light shade. I prefer a matte shade and I used “Charmer”.

Step #6 | Line The Upper Lash Line

I’m using a dark brown matte shade from the tartlette in bloom clay palette called “Leader” to line the upper eyelid. If you want your liner to really stay put, I recommend getting a fine tip waterproof eyeliner. Lining the upper water line will open and lift the eyes, making them look larger and more lifted. Some of my upper shadow liner ended up on lower lash line. I actually love the way it looks, but if you want maximum size and lift, skip lining the lower water line.

Step #7 | Add Liquid Liner & Wing It Out

I didn’t do it for this look but for some extra drama… you can add some liquid liner to the corners of your upper lids and wing it up and out. The key is to make the line very thin and also at the right angle. I would go with waterproof here too.

Shop eyeliners here.

Step #8 | Curl Your Lashes

This is no doubt a key step, NOT to be skipped. Curling your lashes will really open the eyes, making them look bigger. I’m a big fan of the Charlotte Tilbury eyelash curler but it’s sold out. Tarte makes a great lash curler in a set that also comes with one of their best-selling mascaras!

Shop more lash curlers here.

Step #9 | Mascara

Another integral step…use mascara! If you like long, lush lashes like I do, you’ll want to try the Lancôme Lash Idôle Mascara…it’s next level amazing! It separates, lengthens, lifts, and stays on! Another favorite is the Tarte Maneater Mascara!
Shop more mascara here.

On the left side, no concealer… on the right… concealer. Isn’t the difference amazing??

Step #10 | Concealer Under Your Eyes

The last step is to conceal under your eyes. You can cover any loose shadow that may have dusted under your eyes, or any mistakes you may have made with your crease shadow. Most importantly…It will brighten and lighten under your eyes, making the eyes pop!

PLEASE take a moment to study the image above, noting the difference between my left and right eyes. The right side is brighter, and looks much more lifted!

I have been using the NEW Tarte Shape Tape Ultra Creamy Concealer and love it! It just launched this week!! If you’re a fan of the original Tarte Shape Tape Concealer, you’ll love this new formula even more. The new Shape Tape Ultra Creamy is perfect for mature skin because it is much more hydrating. The formula doesn’t settle into fine lines and wrinkles and it has 24-hour hydration! It’s also full coverage, so you can say buh bye to those dark circles. Sometimes full coverage means thick and dry, but this formula is light and doesn’t dry out. I’ve been wearing it every single day for two weeks and I am in LOVE!! It really stays put too!! I have been adding a little bit of the It Cosmetics CC+ Airbrush Perfecting Powder to set the concealer which is such a powerful duo. You’ll see!!

Tarte has a bunch of amazing concealers, shop more options here. I think you’ll love this duo, Shape Tape Ultra Creamy and the Shape Tape Glow Wand for $40! If you use code “BUSBEE15” you’ll get 15% off the new concealer!

Before & After

Be sure to check out the right eye in the photo above (with makeup) and compare it to the left eye (without makeup). The eye on the right looks more defined… and much more lifted! I mean… it legit looks like I got a facelift on that side. AMAZING, right???? I can’t stop staring at it. I also love that it doesn’t look TOO done. You know what I mean? We are still just enhancing, not masking.

To really go for it, add some magnetic lashes to your corners. They are a little tricky to get the hang of but they look so amazing once you get the application down.

So…what do you think?? Do you notice a difference?? Have you tried the new concealer by Tarte? please share your thoughts in the comments below.

HUGE thank you to Tarte for sponsoring this post. You can subscribe to my weekly newsletter to receive some awesome freebies including wardrobe basics checklists and beauty tips to look younger!