10 Makeup Tips for Hooded Eyes That Make Them Look Bigger and More Defined

Let’s be real — hooded eyes can be tricky to work with. You spend twenty minutes blending that perfect eyeshadow gradient, and poof! It disappears the second you open your eyes. Been there, done that, cried a little. But don’t worry — with a few makeup tricks specifically made for hooded eyes, you can make them look bigger, lifted, and more defined (aka, like you actually slept last night).

I’ve got you covered with ten tried-and-true tips that make a huge difference. And trust me, they’re all beginner-friendly — no influencer-level blending skills required. Let’s get into it, shall we?

1. Prime Like Your Life Depends on It

You know how some people say “good skin starts with good skincare”? Well, for hooded eyes, good eyeshadow starts with good primer. Hooded lids tend to rub against the fold, which means your eyeshadow can crease faster than you can say “smoky eye fail.”

Here’s what works:

Use a matte, long-wearing eye primer — nothing too greasy.
Set it with a light dusting of translucent powder to lock it in place.
Avoid creamy concealers as a base — they can make things slide around.

This tiny step literally keeps your eyeshadow from vanishing. Think of it as your eyelid insurance policy. 😉

2. Go Easy on the Shimmer (At Least in the Wrong Places)

Look, I love shimmer as much as the next person — but placing it wrong can make hooded eyes look puffier. The trick? Keep the shimmer on the mobile lid or inner corner only.

Here’s the sweet spot:

Apply shimmer right above the lash line — not into the crease.
Use matte or satin finishes on the crease and outer V.
Add a pop of highlight in the inner corner to open up your eyes.

This combo makes your eyes look awake and bright without adding extra bulk where you don’t want it. Ever seen how shimmer on the hood can make it look like your eyelid’s wearing a metallic blanket? Yeah… skip that.

3. Create a Fake Crease (Your Secret Weapon)

If your natural crease hides under a fold, just fake a new one slightly above it. No, really — it’s one of the oldest tricks in the book.

Here’s how:

Look straight ahead in the mirror.
Use a small blending brush and a neutral matte shadow.
Draw your crease just above your natural fold, then blend upward.

Boom. Instant lift. It gives the illusion of a deeper crease, and suddenly your eyes look way more open. I swear, this one changed my entire makeup game.

4. Lift That Outer Corner

You know that tiny outer section of your eye that always droops no matter what you do? Yeah, let’s fix that. The trick is to angle your eyeshadow and liner upward, not outward.

Try this:

When blending your outer corner, aim toward the end of your brow.
Use tape or a tissue if you need help keeping that line clean.
Finish with a soft smudge of darker shadow right at the lash line.

This “lifted V” technique gives your eyes that cat-eye illusion — subtle, but so effective. Like a mini facelift without the downtime. 😉

5. Keep Eyeliner Thin (Or Skip It Altogether)

Eyeliner is a double-edged sword for hooded eyes. A thick line eats up your lid space faster than a makeup sale eats up my paycheck.

Instead:

Stick to a super thin line right along the lashes.
Or go for tightlining — that’s lining the waterline between your lashes for a fuller effect.
Avoid heavy wings that disappear when you blink.

And if you must do a wing (I get it, wings are addictive), start it from the outer corner and flick it upward, keeping the line as thin as possible near the inner corner. It keeps things open and fresh — not closed off.

6. Curl Those Lashes Like You Mean It

Let’s talk about the real MVP of hooded eyes: the eyelash curler. If your lashes point straight out, they can cast shadows and make your eyes look smaller. Curling them instantly opens up your eyes, even before mascara.

Here’s my go-to routine:

Use a good quality curler (don’t cheap out — trust me).
Clamp at the base, middle, and tip for a natural curl.
Apply lengthening mascara, not just volumizing.

Bonus tip: Waterproof formulas hold curls longer. I learned that after realizing my lashes drooped halfway through brunch. Lesson learned. :/

7. Highlight Strategically

Highlighter isn’t just for cheekbones — it’s a total game-changer for eyes too. But the placement matters (a lot).

Use it wisely:

Dab a tiny bit on your brow bone, but not too close to the crease.
Add a soft shimmer to the inner corner to make your eyes pop.
You can even tap a little on the center of the lid for dimension.

Think of it as giving your eyes their own spotlight — without blinding anyone.

8. Don’t Forget the Lower Lash Line

Everyone focuses on the top lid, but your lower lash line can balance everything out. Just go light-handed — we’re not going for raccoon chic here.

Here’s what works:

Use a soft matte shade slightly darker than your lid color.
Smudge it gently about two-thirds across the lash line.
Finish with a light highlight on the inner third.

It gives that soft, smoky balance without making your eyes look droopy. Plus, it subtly enhances your shape — especially when your upper lid is less visible.

9. Use Concealer to Brighten and Lift

This one’s underrated. Brightening the under-eye and outer corner makes hooded eyes look instantly more awake and lifted.

Try this placement:

Apply concealer in an upside-down triangle under your eyes.
Add a little to the outer corner of your eye and blend upward.
Set it lightly with translucent powder to keep everything crisp.

Seriously, this little lift trick gives you that “I just slept 9 hours” illusion — even if you were up binge-watching dramas till 2 a.m. (guilty 🙋‍♀️).

10. Master the Art of the Floating Eyeshadow

This one’s fun — and super trendy. The floating crease technique involves applying eyeshadow above your natural crease, creating that lifted, defined look that doesn’t vanish when your eyes open.

Here’s how to nail it:

Blend a neutral shade slightly above the fold.
Add a darker tone for depth right on top of that.
Keep your lid shade lighter and matte to contrast the shadow above.

This creates the illusion of space where your lid would normally hide. It’s like an optical illusion — except, you know, for your face.

Bonus Tip: Less Is More

Okay, technically not part of the ten, but this one’s worth mentioning. Overloading your lids with too many layers of product can make hooded eyes look heavy and smaller.

Stick with:

Matte, lightweight shadows
Minimal liner
Lots of lash lift

Basically, focus on structure, not drama. Hooded eyes already have natural mystery — you just need to enhance it, not fight it.

Products I Swear By (Because You’ll Ask 😏)

If you want to try these tips with products that actually work, here are a few of my go-tos:

Urban Decay Primer Potion — keeps shadow in place all day.
Maybelline Sky High Mascara — total game-changer for curled lashes.
MAC Soft Brown — perfect crease shade for faking depth.
NYX Epic Ink Liner — super thin brush tip for precise lines.

Not sponsored (unfortunately), just my honest favorites.

Final Thoughts: Embrace the Hood!

Here’s the thing — hooded eyes are beautiful. Some of the most iconic celebs have them (hi, Blake Lively and Emma Stone). The trick isn’t to “fix” them; it’s to enhance them with smart techniques that make your features shine.

So the next time your eyeshadow disappears, don’t panic. Just remember:

Keep it matte where it matters.
Lift, define, and curl.
And above all — have fun with it.

Makeup’s supposed to be fun, not frustrating. 😉

Now go grab your brushes, your mirror, and maybe a little playlist to set the mood. You’ve got hooded eyes — and you’re about to make them your best feature.