smokey eye for hooded eyes

Creating a stunning smokey eye for hooded eyes can be a bit tricky, but with the right techniques and products, you can achieve a beautiful look that enhances your eye shape. Hooded eyes have a characteristic where the eyelid is mostly concealed when the eyes are open, so the goal is to create depth and dimension to make the eyes appear more open and defined. In this guide, I'll walk you through step-by-step instructions to create a flawless smokey eye for hooded eyes.

Step 1: Prime the Eyelids

Start by applying an eyeshadow primer all over your eyelids. This will help to even out the skin tone, prevent creasing, and ensure that your eyeshadow stays vibrant and in place all day or night.

Step 2: Transition Shade

Choose a neutral transition shade that is a few shades darker than your natural skin tone. This will act as a base and help to create depth in the crease. Using a fluffy blending brush, sweep the transition shade back and forth in the crease of your eye, focusing on the outer corner and blending towards the inner corner.

Step 3: Define the Outer V

To add definition to the outer corner of your eye and create the classic smokey effect, use a deeper shade, such as a dark brown or charcoal grey. With a smaller, tapered blending brush, apply the darker shade to the outer V of your eye, which is the area where the outer corner meets the crease. Use small, windshield wiper motions to blend the color into the crease and outer corner, building up intensity gradually until you achieve your desired level of depth.

Step 4: Lid Color

For the lid color, choose a shade that complements your transition and outer corner shades. You can opt for a shimmer or matte finish, depending on the look you want to achieve. Apply the lid color using a flat eyeshadow brush or your fingertip, focusing the color on the center of your eyelid and blending it slightly into the darker shades in the crease and outer corner.

Step 5: Highlight the Brow Bone

To add brightness and lift to the eyes, use a matte or shimmering light eyeshadow shade to highlight the brow bone. Apply the highlight shade with a small, precise brush directly under the arch of your brow, blending it downward to soften any harsh lines.

Step 6: Tightline and Line the Upper Lash Line

To define the eyes further and make your lashes appear thicker, tightline your upper waterline using a black or dark brown eyeliner pencil. Then, using a gel or pencil eyeliner, line your upper lash line, staying as close to the lash line as possible. You can create a subtle wing at the outer corner if desired, but avoid extending the wing too far to prevent it from overpowering the hooded eye shape.

Step 7: Curl Lashes and Apply Mascara

Before applying mascara, curl your lashes to open up the eyes and create a lifted effect. Then, apply your favorite volumizing or lengthening mascara to both the upper and lower lashes, wiggling the wand from the roots to the tips for maximum volume and definition.

Step 8: Optional: Add False Lashes

If you want to take your smokey eye to the next level, consider adding false lashes. Opt for lashes that are fluttery and lightweight to avoid weighing down your hooded eyelids. Trim the lashes to fit your eye shape, apply a thin layer of lash glue, and carefully place the lashes as close to your natural lash line as possible, using tweezers for precision.

Step 9: Clean Up Any Fallout

Smokey eye looks can often result in fallout or excess eyeshadow on the under-eye area. Use a clean makeup brush or a makeup wipe to gently sweep away any fallout and tidy up the area under your eyes.

Step 10: Finish with Face Makeup

Complete your look by applying your favorite face makeup products, such as foundation, concealer, blush, and lipstick, to enhance your overall appearance and tie the look together.

Tips for Hooded Eyes:

Keep the Focus on the Outer Corner: Concentrate the darkest shades on the outer corner and crease to create the illusion of depth and lift.

Avoid Heavy Eyeliner on the Lower Lash Line: Instead of lining your lower lash line with dark eyeliner, opt for a lighter shade or skip eyeliner altogether to prevent the eyes from appearing smaller.

Experiment with Different Techniques: Don't be afraid to experiment with different eyeshadow placements and techniques to find what works best for your unique eye shape.

By following these steps and tips, you can create a flawless and flattering smokey eye look for hooded eyes that enhances your natural beauty and makes your eyes pop. Experiment with different eyeshadow colors and textures to customize the look to suit your personal style and p