Hooded eyes: An eye shape where excess skin from the brow bone folds over the eyelid crease.

Hooded eyes are a natural facial variation defined by a fold of skin that descends from the brow bone. This layer often hides the mobile eyelid and any visible crease when the eyes are open. The trait appears across many populations and can become more pronounced as skin loses elasticity with age.

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Excess skin from the brow bone folds over the upper eyelid.
The visible eyelid crease is often hidden when eyes are open.
Skin laxity with age makes the hood more pronounced.
Makeup focuses on shading from the lash line upward.
Severe drooping can obstruct vision and cause headaches.

What it is

Hooded eyes feature a distinctive fold of skin that extends from the brow bone downward. This extra layer of tissue rests over the upper eyelid, often obscuring the natural crease or making the visible lid area appear smaller. When the eyes are open, the brow bone skin creates a hood-like effect. This shape differs from monolids, which lack a crease entirely, and deep-set eyes, where the eyeball sits deeper in the skull. The structure is determined by bone architecture and the amount of skin present on the upper lid.

What it means

In beauty contexts, this shape is viewed as a versatile canvas for makeup. Because the mobile lid space is reduced, specific application techniques help enhance the eyes. Artists often focus shading from the lash line upward to create depth. The look is sometimes described as intense or feline due to the way the skin frames the iris. It carries no negative connotations and is simply one of many normal human variations.

The science

The formation involves genetic inheritance of facial bone structure and skin characteristics. As people age, natural loss of skin elasticity causes the hood to become more prominent. This process, known as skin laxity, adds weight to the upper lid. While primarily cosmetic, severe drooping can medically obstruct vision, a condition called ptosis, which may require surgical correction to restore clear sight.

Styling and care

Makeup artists recommend using lighter shades on the lid to bring forward the hidden area. Darker tones applied near the lash line and blended upward create the illusion of a deeper socket. Eyeliner should be kept thin to avoid being swallowed by the fold. Tightlining the upper waterline helps define the eye without adding bulk. Setting powder prevents creasing in the folded skin area throughout the day.

In culture

This eye shape is common in various ethnic groups worldwide. It appears frequently in East Asian populations alongside monolids but is distinct in its presence of a hidden crease. In media, characters with hooded eyes are often portrayed with intense gazes. The shape challenges traditional beauty standards that prioritize wide-open lids, promoting acceptance of diverse anatomical features.

Questions people ask about Hooded eyes

How do I know if I have hooded eyes?

Look in a mirror with your face relaxed and eyes open. If you cannot see your natural eyelid crease because a flap of skin from the brow bone covers it, you likely have hooded eyes. The mobile lid space will appear smaller than in other eye shapes.

Do hooded eyes only happen as you get older?

No. While skin laxity from aging makes the hood more noticeable, many people are born with this shape due to genetics. Young individuals can have fully hooded eyes if they inherit the bone structure and skin distribution associated with this trait.

Can hooded eyes affect my vision?

Usually not. However, if the drooping skin becomes severe enough to cover the pupil, it can block peripheral or central vision. This medical condition, known as ptosis, may cause tension headaches and require consultation with an eye doctor.

What makeup works best for this eye shape?

Focus eyeshadow placement higher up on the brow bone rather than just on the lid. Use light colors to highlight the inner corner and dark shades blended into the crease area above the fold. Thin eyeliner prevents the look from appearing heavy or closed off.

Good reading and sources

Where this page comes from

There is no English Wikipedia article on Hooded eyes yet, so the facts on this page come from the sources listed above: nvisioncenters.com/eye-shapes/, makeup.com/makeup-tutorials/eyes/whats-your-eye-shape. Some are the subject's own pages, so its claims about itself are reported as its claims. EveryFaceShape wrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares it with the sources to make sure no passage is copied.

It may contain mistakes, and figures change over time. Nothing here is investment or buying advice. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-11-15.

Hooded eyes