Let’s talk about hooded eyes, not as a Problem because it’s not a problem.
Long before I knew what hooded eyes were I had always thought they were pretty because they look intense, sexy, and striking. And while they’re limiting in terms of applying make up, they look beautiful alone with the right technique.
Although, to an extent, things have really improved, because there’s increasing media space for different kinds of beauty standards instead of just one monolithic one. However, there’s also an increased consumerist focus on expensive treatments and gadgets, and this pressures many young and impressionable people into looking at themselves as a collection of “problems” to be “fixed.”
For years now, beauty trends have veered toward women preferring an upswept look with their eyebrow tails reaching to the heavens and wide plains of upper eyelid space. Speaking of eyelids, how much of the female population worldwide even has that much upper eyelid space naturally?
I find it absurd when makeup artists list the “dos and don’ts” with hooded eyes tutorial guides.
You can work around them as long as it enhances your beauty. You don’t need to change a thing. Eyelids naturally come in many different anatomical variations, from single eyelids, double eyelids, mismatched eyelids, hooded eyelids, and monolids or epicanthic folds. None of these are inherently a flaw, but trends in cosmetic procedures may have impressionable, young women feeling otherwise
Needless to say, makeup isn’t dependent on one feature, there are factors to consider like the skin tone, hair colour and style, eye size, etc. Where it might be a cardinal sin to do a dark shade on hooded eyelids but that person may look better with dark colors than light, where as the next person won’t.
If you’ve always been self-conscious about your hooded eyes, you have no reason to, even some of the biggest names certainly don’t care about the rules.
When I saw the media’s obsession with hooded eyes, I started doing my own research and I found out that some of the most beautiful women I know (famous or not) have hooded eyes.
Having hooded eyes is very common among women so it’s somehow bizarre how this is considered a flaw in the first place. Take a look at some of the biggest names in Hollywood you may not have noticed have hooded eyes.
So, just throw away your fixed ideas of beauty and personal issues aside for a sec, and just perceive the beauty of some of the most recognized women in the world with hooded eyes.
Betty Grable
The biggest box office star of the 1940s and the most desired WWII pin-up girl, acting-singing-dancing triple-threat Betty Grable became the stuff of Hollywood legend after her studio reportedly insured her famously gorgeous legs for $1 million with Lloyd’s of London.
Betty’s studio, Twentieth Century Fox, provided five million copies of one pinup photo to distribute to troops. After the war, Grable became the most highly paid woman in America, earning about $300,000 a year.
Camilla Belle
Camilla Belle is an American, Brazilian actress, director, and producer. She has been active in the entertainment industry since 1993 and has an incredible collection of films. She’s well known for her cute hooded eyes, making her stand out as one of the most beautiful women in Hollywood.
In this photograph you can clearly see that Camilla Bell not only has hooded eyes but also down turned eyes.
Anne Hathaway
Anne Hathaway is an American actress. Her accolades include an Academy Award, a British Academy Film Award, a Golden Globe Award, and a Primetime Emmy Award. She’s known for her versatility, appearing in films that ranged from fairy tales to adult-oriented dramas and comedies.
Her personality is also very easy to fall for, as well as her amazing hooded eyes.
Monica Bellucci
Monica Bellucci is a true beauty and well known actress known for her gorgeous hooded eyes. She’s certainly considered one of the most beautiful and seductive women in our time. She’s a modern diva, and today she wears her years really beautifully, as well.
Considering her immense success and popularity, her face is familiar, and you can find numerous photos online on virtually any newsworthy platform. But have you ever noticed that she has hooded eyes?
Jennifer Lawrence
One of the world’s highest paid actresses since 2016, Jennifer Shrader Lawrence is an American actress. Jennifer has captured the hearts of many with her brilliant performances and charming personality, also demonstrating that having hooded eyes is not a defect.
Embrace Your Hooded Eyes
Obviously hooded eyes aren’t a defect, so why feel the need to hide them?
In case you missed the point, hooded eyelids are primarily a variation in eye shape, not a medical condition that requires treatment. Your eyelids serve a vital role in safeguarding and shielding your eyes, and how the skin folds on your upper eyelids can be influenced by a combination of genetics and the natural aging process.
As you age, the soft tissue around your eyebrows may lose some of its elasticity, leading to a slightly droopier appearance. If the skin on your eyelids begins to sag to the point where it obstructs your vision, then you might be dealing with a medical condition known as Dermatochalasis. In such cases, surgical procedures can offer a solution. However, this condition is more commonly associated with ageing populations and isn’t a concern for most people.
Also, recognizing that some people have what’s commonly referred to as monolids, meaning they don’t have any distinct eyelid space. This characteristic is not a medical issue but rather a natural variation. Notably, the more pronounced “epicanthic fold” associated with some populations may have had an evolutionary purpose. It is by no means a flaw to be corrected.
Certain ethnic groups, such as Asian, African, and some European populations, exhibit a higher frequency of epicanthic folds. The theories behind this variation range from the need for better insulation around the eyeball in extreme climates to added protection from UV light.
It’s worth unveiling the curtain on the various plastic surgery procedures and cosmetic treatments that celebrities often undergo to align their natural features with trendy ideals. The commercialization of these procedures has inadvertently led many women to feel self-conscious about what they perceive as “flaws” when influencers and celebrities appear to possess superior genetics. When in reality, it’s not merely good genes – more often than not, it’s their financial resources at play.
Plastic Surgery Procedures and Cosmetic Treatments Normal People and The Elites are Undergoing to “fix” Hooded Eyes
Brow Lift
A brow lift, also referred to as a forehead lift, is a surgical procedure performed with an incision either along the hairline (endoscopic incision) or further back within the crown (coronal incision). Tissues and muscles are adjusted, and after a recovery period of about two weeks, patients can return to their regular activities. This procedure aims to rejuvenate the forehead area and address fallen soft tissue. On average, the cost of a brow lift is approximately $3,900.
Fox Eye Lift
Achieving the trendy “Fox Eye” look involves a surgical brow lift coupled with a lateral canthopexy procedure. Through incisions at the outer corners of the eyes, the eyes are reshaped to appear more upswept and almond-shaped. Recovery time for this surgery can be relatively short, with scars healing quickly, making it a popular choice for celebrities and influencers who wish to maintain their public presence. The average cost for this procedure typically ranges from $3,000 to $4,000.
Upper Blepharoplasty
One of the surgical options that address hooded eyelids is a procedure known as blepharoplasty. This surgery is designed to reduce excess skin on the eyelids, giving the eyes a more youthful appearance. Sometimes, it’s performed alongside other procedures like brow lifts or facelifts. It’s important to note that certain insurance plans may cover this surgery when it’s medically necessary to correct eyelid skin that obstructs peripheral vision, but not for purely cosmetic purposes.
Blepharoplasty cost between $4,000 and $10,000
Thread Lift
A thread lift, often called the “real-life version of FaceTune,” offers a non-surgical alternative for brow lifts, potentially reducing the appearance of hooded eyes. Temporary sutures are used to direct collagen into the treated areas. Recovery is swift, the procedure is noninvasive, and it tends to be more budget-friendly, with self-reported average costs of around $2,050.
Ponytail Facelift
The Ponytail Facelift, is a term coined by plastic surgeon Dr. Chia Chi Kao, aims to achieve a windblown look and eliminate the appearance of hooded eyes. This technique involves a “non-excisional eyelid lift,” facial rejuvenation through regenerative cell procedures, and a jowl and neck lift, with incisions concealed behind the hairline. This approach’s discrete scarring making it increasingly popular among celebrities.
Celebrities like Bella Hadid and Ariana Grande are rumored to have undergone this procedure. To achieve the desired look and reduce hooded eyelids, the cost can range from approximately $20,000 to $30,000.
Non-Surgical Methods
Both women and men opt for non-surgical methods to address hooded eyelids. These options include Botox injections, which provide temporary results and cost approximately $379 per session. Others turn to plasma technology for upper eyelid skin tightening, with sessions averaging around $600 each. For those on a budget, eyelid tape is a very temporary fix, compensating for weakened eyelid muscles, and allowing for a lift effect.
When You Change the Way You Look at Things, the Things You Look at Change
If you take a stroll down memory lane through old magazine spreads or even look at some current ones, you’ll find stunning women from around the world who proudly sport hooded eyelids. These slightly lower-set brows don’t diminish their beauty; in fact, some consider them downright sexy, dubbing them “bedroom eyes.”
Having hooded eyes myself, I’m learning to embrace the unique features that my ancestors passed down to me.
I can relate to the frustration that some women with hooded eyelids experience when it comes to makeup. With the growing popularity of plastic surgery procedures aimed at fixing hooded eyelids, it’s easy for young women to be misled into thinking that the way their eyelids naturally fall somehow detracts from their inherent beauty. However, that’s far from the truth.
In cases like mine, where there isn’t much upper eyelid space to work with, I often opt for a minimalistic “no-makeup makeup” look. Surprisingly, this has not only saved me a ton of money on eyeshadow primer, eyeshadow palettes (though I do occasionally feel drawn in by their glamorous packaging), and eyeliner, but it’s also helped me feel more at ease in my own skin. I’m gradually learning to appreciate the distinct features that have been passed down through generations.
Addressing a common myth—the idea that women with hooded eyelids can’t wear eye makeup—False. There are alternative application techniques and endless supplies of online tutorials to help you master your desired looks.
Instead of trying to fit into someone else’s idea of beauty, why not channel that energy into finding the perfect pair of sunglasses that complement your features, or finding the perfect pair of sunglasses that make your face pop?
Chasing unrealistic beauty ideals can be as exhausting as trying to catch your own shadow – you’ll find yourself running in circles, and it’s impossible to pin down something that’s constantly changing. Why not focus on what makes you unique and work with it?
