Eyeshadow Colors That Make Hooded Eyes Look Bigger

Different eye shapes require different makeup techniques. If you're someone with hooded eyes, this means that your eye shape can hide your eyelid crease even when your eyes are open. The skin around the brow area can drop slightly so that it falls close to the lash line. After application, eyeshadow can sometimes vanish, so it's worth noting the tips and tricks for applying makeup to hooded eyes. To create the visual look of open, wider eyes using eyeshadow, Women.com spoke exclusively with Brielle Pollara, lead makeup artist and owner of Brielle Beauty Co., to get her expert take on which eyeshadows to choose.

There are certain eyeshadow colors that can help to make hooded eyes look bigger. Going through the list with Women.com, Pollara explained that there are a few lighter shades to consider. Cream and ivory tones can brighten the lids and make eyes appear more open. Champagne eyeshadows reflect light and bring the lids forward. Meanwhile, peach tones can add warmth and brightness for a more awake look. The other thing to consider is a darker shadow shade to add depth to the lid. Pollara praised taupe eyeshadows because they create a soft depth and the illusion of a higher crease. Soft brown can define and lift the eye without looking too heavy, while bronze shades add dimension without overpowering the eye. Blend this darker shadow upwards and outwards to enhance definition.

Makeup artist Brielle Pollara explained to Women.com that eyeshadow can play a big part in sculpting an eyelid on hooded eyes. "Eyeshadow can definitely change how big the eyes appear," Pollara told us. "Lighter shades bring areas forward and open up the eye, while deeper shades add definition and dimension. Finish matters too; matte shades are great for sculpting, while shimmer reflects light and can make the eyes look brighter and more open."

One of the best tips for applying eyeshadow to hooded eyes is to pay attention to placement. Apply darker, matte shades just above the natural crease to create a faux fold in the eyelid. Then, apply a lighter shadow shade to the center of the lid to catch the light. Matte shadows often do more for hooded eyes than very shimmery ones. This is because a high shimmer content in eyeshadow can make lids look heavy, and the goal with hooded eyes is to create the illusion of space through a faux crease.

After creating the crease with eyeshadow, apply eyeliner to add more depth. Another helpful tip for applying eyeliner to hooded eyes is to consider carrying a little of the liner or the darker eyeshadow down using a small blending brush into the lower lash line to further enhance the eyes.