Hi my name is Kelly and I have a blindfolded person. My example is not an extreme one. When my eyes are fully open, you can see some of my eyelids. Some of them are blindfolded, and no trace of eyelids can be seen at all, as if they are integrated with the brow bone. Either way, covering your eyes with makeup is an extremely difficult task.
Maybe your eyes are covered, or you just want more room on your eyelids to apply makeup. Maybe you're looking for some eyeliner tips for double eyelids. Maybe you've only noticed this problem as you've gotten older, or maybe you've struggled with it your entire life. No matter where you are on your hooded eyes journey, consider this your survival guide. I promise you, you can do all the eye makeup that everyone else can do. Just follow these seven simple tips:
1. Invest in an introductory book that you like.
Not only were my eyes covered, but they were also extremely wrinkled and a million times more oily than the rest of my face. Really winning the genetic lottery there. Anyway, the only thing that keeps me from having it slide across my eyelids and browbones when I'm applying eyeshadow is a good eyeshadow primer.
There are a lot of options, so you may have to try a few flops before you find your favorite. I've had success using both Urban Decay's high-end primer and elf's $3 primer. It's important to use some kind of primer, even if it's just concealer.
Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer , $17, Amazon Elf Studio Eyeshadow Primer , $7, Amazon
2. Use only smudge-proof eyeliner and mascara.
Those of you who have been blindfolded know the pain of smudged eye makeup. You put on 15 coats of mascara, or finish off that perfect eyeliner, and in the blink of an eye it's suddenly smeared all over your brow bone. Use waterproof and smudge-proof cosmetics to prevent this from happening again.
Fiber mascaras are great because they don't smear but are still easy to remove with water at the end of the day. For eyeliner, I swear by Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Eyeliner (although it's best to wait a second or two for it to dry before blinking).
Stila All Day Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner, $22, Amazon
3. Draw eyeliner on the upper lash line.
Firm eyeliner means applying eyeliner directly to the waterline where your lashes are, as close to your eyeballs as possible. This may seem scary, but it gets easier with practice.
In the picture below, my upper lash line is tight, but my lower lash line is not. You can do both if you want, but when you have limited eyelid space, it's important not to waste it on thick black eyeliner. I also find that, in general, leaving my lower waterline unlined makes my eyes look larger (another plus for those with covered eyes).
Laura Geller Gel Eyeliner , $18, Amazon
4. Turn the cat eye over.
Sometimes getting the right cat eye can be difficult if your eyes are covered, especially if you also have those tricky eyelid creases or creases that get in the way of the outer corners of your eyes. Try doing an upside-down cat eye.
In the picture below, I used a dark eyeshadow and a small stiff brush to lightly apply a line from the inner corner of my eye, over the outer corner, and up to the end of my brow. (You can use liquid eyeliner, but I find eyeshadow or eyeliner or gel eyeliner creates a softer, less harsh line.)
5. Don’t be afraid to try bold colors.
If you feel like your eye makeup is unattractive, it might be time to take drastic measures. Try bold colors like electric blue or fuchsia. You can even use colored mascara and eyeliner at the same time for a dramatic, cohesive look. I used Topshop Liner in Unparalleled and Maybelline Great Lash Mascara in I See Blue (a limited edition shade).
NYX Purple Mascara, $7, Amazon
6. Blend just above the crease.
If you're blindfolded, this trick can make all the difference. Have you ever applied a lot of eyeshadow, only to find that it disappears as soon as you open your eyes? This is a common problem if your eyes are hooded, but can be easily solved by extending the shadow just above the eyelid crease to the brow bone.
Observe: The image below shows how my sad eyeshadow looks when I limit the eyeshadow (tip from Urban Decay's Naked 3 Palette) to my lids.
However, if I blend it upwards, like in the photo below, in the middle of the brow bone, it makes a huge difference (like you can actually see it now). This works well with both neutral tones and dramatic smokey eyes.
7. Experiment (and Google J. Law).
The only way you know what works for you is through experimentation. Having a quality product also helps a lot, but beyond that, it's all about practice and learning from your mistakes. When you have some free time (so, not while you're rushing out the door for a date), try out various cat-eye shapes and sizes, or see if stretching the eyeshadow further away from the eye helps.
Mastering eye makeup isn't easy when you don't have a lot of eyelid space, but don't worry, you're not alone. Jennifer Lawrence, Blake Lively and Camilla Belle are just a few of the gorgeous celebrities with hooded eyes, so you can borrow some confidence (and makeup inspiration) from them.
Image: Kelly Doyle; courtesy Brand
