What Are Hooded Eyes? Here’s How to Show Them Off

Today on the blog we’re exploring all things hooded eyes, from causes to makeup to celebrity inspiration. There’s no denying that hooded eyes are stunning, but there are a few misconceptions out there which we’ll get to the bottom of.
 
We’ll also chat about how to make the most of hooded eyes when you’re a glasses wearer with some handy makeup tricks.
 

What are hooded eyes?

Hooded eyes are a specific eye shape characterized by the brow bone folding down over the crease. There’s a little extra skin under the brow that causes the slight overhang, or…’hood’.
 
When you compare hooded eyes to monolids, almond eyes, and round eyes, you can see there’s a big difference in eyelid “real estate”. The three eye shapes mentioned have a visible mobile lid whereas hooded eyes generally don’t.
 

How to tell if you have hooded eyes

 
Look at yourself straight-on in the mirror with your head straight and your eyes open naturally. If the skin under your brow bone protrudes out over the crease of your eye and almost meets your lash line, you have hooded eyes.
 
If you apply eyeshadow to the crease of your eye but it disappears when your eyes are open, this is also a sign of hooded eyes.
 

What causes hooded eyes?

Hooded eyes are found all over the world and are extremely common! So, what’s behind them?
 
Well, in short, it comes down to genetics. Yep, you are born with hooded eyes, just like you’re born with almond, monolid, round, or upturned eyes. Sure, aging can make the eyes a little more hooded with time, (we’ll discuss that soon) but hooded eyes are a feature from childhood.
 

Hooded eyes VS Droopy eyes

Hooded eyes are often confused with droopy eyes and are spoken about as something to be changed with surgery. To that we say pssh! Hooded eyes are simply a type of eye shape you are born with thanks to genetics and hereditary traits.
 
Droopy eyes, however, come as a result of aging as the skin loses elasticity and structure. In saying that, those with hooded eyes can experience greater drooping with age as there is already a little extra skin under the brow. Droopy eyes are a natural part of the aging process, but there are simple procedures to give them a lift if you like. However, there’s absolutely zero wrong with aging skin and the changes it brings.
 
If you’re finding that your hooded or droopy eyes are causing issues with your vision or comfort, definitely chat to your doctor. However, this is pretty rare and not something you should worry about until it comes up!
 

Celebrities with hooded eyes

Some of the most beautiful celebrities in the world have hooded eyes, and many of them wear glasses. Some of the most famous hooded eye heroes are:
 

Jennifer Lawrence

 
Jennifer Lawrence has very hooded eyes, proving that they’re a gorgeous feature to celebrate. Jennifer often wears bold or dark eye makeup, creating a sultry, dramatic effect.
 

Blake Lively

 
Blake Lively is one of the most celebrated beauties in the world, and her eyes are most certainly hooded!
 

Brad Pitt

 
Brad Pitt, one of the OG movie star babes, has hooded eyes that have only become more hooded with age. Brad is a perfect example of how hooded eyes make you look kinda brooding, sexy, and mysterious.
 

The best glasses styles for hooded eyes

Any glasses that make you feel amazing are the best glasses for you, but here are a few pointers for making the best of hooded eyes with frames.
 

1. Opt for oversized frames

 
Oversized frames (we love the Rosa frames) will ensure your hooded eyes don’t appear smaller or more sleepy as the frames won’t sit over your lids.
 
Smaller frames, on the other hand, may risk obscuring your already small lid space, especially if the frames are thick or dark colored.
 

2. Give rimless frames a try

 
Rimless frames (like the gorgeous Innocent frames) can look stunning with hooded eyes as they subtly frame the eyes without boxing them in or causing further heaviness.
 

Essential makeup tips for hooded eyes

Having hooded eyes doesn’t mean you can’t or shouldn’t wear eye makeup – quite the contrary. Eye makeup can really make hooded eyes pop by either intensifying the depth or adding brightness to create a more open effect.
 
Now, glasses change the way many of us apply makeup regardless of eye shape, but with hooded eyes we need a few more considerations.
 

Makeup tips for hooded eyes (glasses or not)

• Makeup artist Kate Jane Hughes is the master of hooded eye makeup. Her tutorial for winged eyeliner for hooded eyes is a go-to staple and works every time (I mean…after a few tries).

 

• Prime and set your lids. Because of the folded skin, your eyeliner can easily smudge onto the hooded part of your lid, especially if it’s an emollient liner. Reduce this by using an oil-reducing eyeshadow primer and a translucent powder.

 

• A fine-tipped waterproof liquid liner is your best friend! This will give you a thin yet defining line that thickens the lash line and pops the eyes without making them look smaller.

 

• Get yourself an eyeshadow palette (if you don’t already have one!) with a pale, mid, and deep shade. Blend the pale shade over the center of the lid and inner corner, then blend the mid and deep shades into the outer V of the eye and through the crease. This will give the eyes definition and depth without making them appear small or sleepy.

 

• If you buff a little bronzer or shadow through the lower lash line, this can add warmth to the eyes and balance out that slightly heavier upper lid.

 

• And finally, don’t worry too much about rules! For example, some people say you shouldn’t bring a deeper shadow far up onto the hood. Well, there are plenty of examples of a bold look with shadow that reaches nearly to the brow bone.

 
Case in point? Jennifer Lawrence! Check out this classic smokey eye featuring charcoal shadow buffed all over the lid and hood. As long as you are blending thoroughly and you love the look, it’s a winner.
 

Overall makeup tips for all glasses wearers include:

• Keep things bright and awake with a brightening concealer under the eyes, a pale shimmery shadow on the center of the lid, and avoiding heavy/dark colors. This tip is especially effective during the day as dark colors can be a little aging and draining in the daylight.

 

• For evening, you can add a little more “smoke” by applying a dark pencil close to the lash lines and smudging with a brush. Under eye concealer is important to brighten any shadows cast by your frames.

 

• Keep the brows shaped and brushed so they don’t take up too much limited space. The more bare skin from eye to brow, the wider and more awake the eyes will appear. Plus, a groomed pair of brows are a great way to frame your frames.

 

• Pick an oversized pair that won’t obscure your eyes, such as the fun and cute Audrey frames.

 
Want more? Check out our full guide on makeup tips for glasses wearers!
 

Go forth and embrace those stunning hoods!

By now you should know if your eyes are hooded.
 
If so, you’re all good to get out there and show them off behind some stunning frames and a few flicks of an eyeshadow brush.