a close-up of a brown hooded eye with a matte everyday makeup look, black eyeliner wing and a highlighter in the inner corner of an eye

Hey there, hooded-eye gals! Feeling like your gorgeous lids are hiding under a shadow (literally and figuratively)? You're not alone! My small eyelids with asymmetrically hooded eyes provide me a daily challenge. After trial and error, I'm ready to spill the tea on a simple, everyday look that flatters hooded eyes and small eyelids. 

And this look takes only 5 minutes! Yes, you read that right. Five minutes to smoky perfection.  No complicated techniques, no fancy tools, just easy-to-follow steps and tips that'll have you looking like a million bucks in no time.  So, grab your makeup essentials like your favorite eyeshadow palette, and a flat eyeshadow brush, and get ready to unleash your inner makeup artist! 

What Makeup Products Will You Need?


  • eyeshadow primer;
  • powder or nude translucent eyeshadow;
  • light-nude eyeshadow (matte or with subtle shimmer);
  • medium-brown eyeshadow;
  • black eye kohl or waterproof liner;
  • liquid or gel eyeliner; 
  • mascara and false lashes (optional).

a close-up of a brown hooded eye showing how to apply an everyday makeup look on a small eyelids

How to Do This Simple, Everyday Look for Hooded Eyes in 5 Steps


  • 1. Prep your eyelids:


Choose an eyeshadow primer that suits your skin type. This step not only helps your eyeshadow stay in place but also provides a smooth canvas for application. At this moment, I like using Pro Longwear Paint Pot by Mac Cosmetics, but you can use any other primer you like.

Next, pick a matte eyeshadow that has a velvety texture and matches your skin tone. This will mattify primer, creating a seamless base and preventing any patchiness in the eyeshadow application.

a close-up of a brown hooded eye showing how to apply an everyday makeup look on a small eyelids

  • 2. Start working on a 'faux' crease:


When selecting an eyeshadow color for your crease, go for a color that is a few shades darker than your skin tone. Warm, earthy tones work well for most people, adding warmth to the eyes and skin. Matte finish is the secret here! A shimmering texture will only emphasize the 'heaviness' of the hooded eyes, while matte will create an illusion of a higher crease. 

For hooded eyes, focus the deeper eyeshadow shade on the outer third of the eyelid and blend it slightly upwards and outwards. This technique helps create the illusion of a lifted eye shape. Alternatively, you can create a 'faux' crease with the help of a matte, brown liner.

a close-up of a brown hooded eye showing how to apply an everyday makeup look on a small eyelids

  • 3. Shimmer on the lid:


Choose a light-nude, shimmer shade with a satin or pearly finish for your lids. You can also pick a matte eyeshadow, for the lid, keeping your makeup minimalistic. Applying the shimmer to the center adds dimension and draws attention to the middle of the eye, while eyeshadow in the inner corner opens and brightens up the eyes. 

Try using a flat makeup brush that matches the size of your hooded eyelids. Most makeup tutorials use medium-sized or large brushes to work on the lids. However, for hooded eyes, it is best to opt for small makeup brushes, which you already have in your brush essentials.

For the brow bone, use a matte eyeshadow, that is just slightly brighter and lighter than your skin tone. Applying too much highlighter onto your brow bone may only unnecessarily emphasize the 'heavy' space between your hooded crease and brow bone.

a close-up of a brown hooded eye showing how to apply an everyday makeup look on a small eyelids

  • 4. Liquid eyeliner, tightlining, and waterline work:


Use a waterproof liner or eye kohl to tightline your upper waterline and fill in any gaps between the lashes. Create a large, bold eyeliner wing on your upper lid. Keep it thin in the inner part, and make it larger in the outer part.

For the lower waterline, use nude or white (but not too bright!) eyeliner to make your eyes appear bigger and more awake.

a close-up of a brown hooded eye showing how to apply an everyday makeup look on a small eyelids

  • 5. Final steps – curl your lashes, and apply mascara:


Hold the eyelash curler at the base of your lashes for a few seconds, then move it slightly upwards for an extra lift. Repeat this step, if needed. Move on to mascara. Apply it in thin layers, wiggling the wand from the roots to the tips. Focus on the outer lashes to enhance the lifted effect. 

As a final touch, add a strip of natural-looking false lashes. Of course, this is not a mandatory step, but falsies will additionally lift up the hooded eye.

Summing Up...


And there you have it! With these five simple steps, you've mastered a gorgeous everyday look that flatters your unique hooded eyes. Remember, practice makes perfect, so have fun experimenting and finding what colors and techniques work best for you.

The goal of this makeup is to enhance your natural beauty and create a polished, everyday look. Of course, you should adapt these steps based on your preferences and the specific features of your hooded eyes. Please let me know if you liked my makeup in the comments down below and tell me what's your makeup for every day. I wish everyone an amazing day, and I'll talk to you soon!

Lots of love,
Liz