Best eyeliner for hooded eyes that stays in place, even in hot weather

Lift the appearance of hooded eyes and create a defined look with smudge-proof makeup.

Best eyeliner for hooded eyes

by Natalie Knowles |
Updated on

Give yourself an instant face-lift with the best eyeliner for hooded eyes. When skin below the brow bone creates a fold, eye makeup is prone to smudging. But there are waterproof eye liners that will stay in place, so you can rock a cat's eye flick if you want to. The best makeup for older women – be it foundation, eye liner or lip stick – has a creamy formulation that glides onto mature skin and doesn't drag.

Claudia Winkleman owns her style and has made black eye makeup fashionable for ladies over 50. But it's a look that can be too severe on older eyes. Overall, it's best not to go for anything too heavy. Use soft brown or grey makeup for a natural and flattering defined eye. Just like our hair, our eyelashes become finer as we age. Use eyeliner to 'tightline' in inner rims of the eye lids to give the illusion of thick lashes. Plus, go for a waterproof mascara to enhance lashes and make your eyes look wider.

Best eyeliner for hooded eyes at a glance:

Best eyeliner for glam colours: Trinny London Line2Define – View on Trinny London
Best dual-ended eyeliner: Studio 10 I-lift Longwear Kajal Liner – View on Studio 10 Beauty
Best eyeliner for blending: Sculpted by Aimee Brighten & Define Eyeliner Duo – View on Sculpted By Aimee

Wayne Goss, makeup artist with over 15 years experience in the beauty industry, says: “The issue with a hooded eye is that there is no visible lid space. This means that no eyeliner shape will really work. However push lining, which is when you push liner into the lash bed, gives the illusion of thicker, blacker, fuller lashes. This makes the eyes stand out and look more beautiful!"

It's essential not to irritate the delicate skin around the eyes. Therefore, whether you prefer a propelling pencil or liquid liner do ensure it doesn't contain anything that you're allergic to. Also, throw away any old eye makeup as you don't want to irritate sensitive eyes. For more quick makeup tips scroll to the FAQ section below.

Best eyeliner for hooded eyes

Tested

Best eyeliner for glam colours

Yours/Trinny London
Price: $19.80 (was £22)

trinnylondon.com

Trinny London Line2Define glides smoothly over the eyelid, then it sets so it cannot be smudged, plus it's waterproof. You won't need to check the mirror, as this eyeliner won't fade, fake or transfer. Our tester said that that by applying several layers she was able to build up a really strong colour. The "Chantelle" bronze shimmer especially suited her hazel eyes. If she was going out for the evening she would glam up with the "Bonzo" dark green shade.

The eyeliner glides on with ease and the retractable pencil gives a fine point without the need for sharpening. Our tester was impressed with the packaging and overall product design too, it's high quality and there's an insert in the packaging that stops the eyeliner from rolling around in its box.

Choose from six shades, two are neutral and four are coloured shades. Customers love the colours in the collection, but some comment that they'd love a grey shade to be added. There's a sharpener included in this dual-ended design, so you can get a precision line every time, ideal if you're out and about. It's creamy and blendable when you apply it so you can achieve a smoky look, or for defined eyes apply along the waterline.

Although some customers commented that it wasn't smudge-proof, the customer service advised that this could be to do with oily skin and provided guidance on how to apply eyeliner on oily skin.

Pros

  • High quality, everything from the packaging to the pen design and application
  • Gorgeous range of colours to express your personality
  • Fine on sensitive eyes

Cons

  • Customers want a grey shade – by popular demand!
Colours:Inky Black, Rich Brown, Deep Indigo, Dark Green, Chantelle - Bronze Shimmer, Levy - Champagne Shimmer
Eye liner type:Retractable pencil
  • Ophthalmologically tested and suitable for contact lens wearers and sensitive eyes

Tested

Best dual-ended eye liner

Yours/Studio 10

Studio 10 I-lift Longwear Kajal Liner is a creamy eye liner pencil that won't drag on your skin. It's made for mature skin and contains antioxidants, vitamins and oil to condition your skin. Customers highly praise this eyeliner, commenting that it glides on easily, brightens their eyes and is suited to mature skin. It's also long-lasting and it's double-ended design means you can get creative with blending.

Our tester said this eye liner is impressive. It glides on like a dream and it was comfortable enough to apply the white pencil to her lower waterline. Natalie said, "it absolutely stays in place. I was chopping onions and crying like a baby, even when I wiped my eyes with a tissue the liner stayed in place. I'm really pleased to discover this range as it didn't upset my sensitive eyes.

"I'm a brunette, with olive skin, and the Mocha shade, in particular, really complemented my skin tone and hazel eyes. I also tried the Pewter and Sea shades. Sea has two dark blue hues, rather than a lighter shade, so it's great for blending. Full marks also for the carefully wrapped product and personalised booklet that came with my order."

Pros

  • Absolutely stays in place
  • Easy to apply
  • Did not irritate tester's sensitive eyes
  • Range of pencil colours

Cons

  • If you buy multiple shades it's difficult to know which colour is which when they're in their boxes
Colours:Sea, Pewter and Mocha
Eye liner type:Dual ended pencil

Tested

Best eyeliner for blending

Yours/Sculpted by Aimee

We loved how easy the Sculpted by Aimee Brighten & Define Eyeliner Duo was to apply. It just glided on and didn't irritate our tester's sensitive eyes. The duo eye liner is a great option if you love to be creative with your make-up. There's lots of tutorials that demonstrate how to get a flattering look on hooded eyelids using blending, and this eyeliner excels at that. There are three natural shade duos to choose from. Once you've perfected your look this eyeliner stays in place all day without smudging. Our tester said the pencil eyeliner goes on nice and soft. It doesn't drag on your eyes.

We also tested the EasyGlide Precision Liquid Liner. Our tester was really impressed with the EasyGlide liquid eyeliner: "It goes on evenly. No splodges, like other products. It's easier to control than pencil eyeliner. It all depends on what you prefer. Your barely have to touch your skin, it just glides on. It has a really fine point so you don't get too much ink at once."

All-in-all our tester loved the liquid liner. It was softer and gave a more controlled line, albeit it was more difficult to remove than the pencil eyeliner. Both products stayed in place and didn't smudge.

Pros

  • Premium quality in design and application
  • The precision eye liner is especially good if you prefer a defined look
  • Duo eye liner allows you to enhance your waterline or blend

Cons

  • Duo eyeliner has a limited colour range
Colours:Nude/Black, Nude/Brown, Nude/Rust Brown
Eye liner type:Pencil
  • Can be sharpened with any standard pencil sharpener

Tested

Best eyeliner for precision tip

Yours/Colorsport

Colorsport 24 HR Eyeliner is designed to be smudge-proof, waterproof and long-lasting. The precision nib allows for precise lines; suitable for both natural looks and bold cat-eyes. It is 100 per cent vegan, cruelty-free and gluten-free, making it a responsible and safe choice. Despite its durability, it can be easily removed with any makeup remover, simplifying your nightly routine.

Our tester was particularly impressed with how easily this glided on. The precision tip means you can apply a thin line and build it. Alternatively, use it for tightlining. It takes a few moments to dry, but then it really lasts. If you're on the go and what makeup that doesn't require frequently checking, this is a great choice. Natalie paired the eyeliner with Contours RX Eyelid Strips to enhance the shape of her eyelids and minimise those hooded eyes!

Pros

  • Precision tip makes it so easy to apply
  • Glides on and buildable for extra bold eyes
  • Very reasonable price-point

Cons

  • Didn't last 24 hours but definitely lasted a day
Colours:Black, Dark Brown
Eye liner type:Fine tipped precision nib
  • Smudge-proof, waterproof, all day wear
  • Vegan, cruelty-free, gluten-free

Best eyeliner for popularity

Victoria Beckham Satin Kajal LinerVictoria Beckham

Get creative with colour and define your eyes in a range of matte, shimmer and jewel shades, thanks to the Victoria Beckham Satin Kajal Liner. Customers comment that it lives up to the hype and 21,800 reviews testify to this being one of the best eyeliners, if not the best.

In the form of a pencil, this kajal (like kohl) liner is easy to apply, plus it comes with a complimentary pencil sharpener. It can be applied in many different ways – from creating wings or defining the lower lash line, to subtle smoky eyes – the benefit is that there's a huge range of shades to flatter your skin tone and create fashion-coordinated looks.

Customers say that it stays in place and lasts all day. They love the branding and quality product, that's made from clean ingredients. For an effortless pencil eyeliner that glides on, even on hooded eyes, this is a top choice.

Pros

  • Glowing reviews all round for its quality
  • Goes on smoothly
  • Stays in place and lasts all day
  • Versatile range of colours to create different looks

Cons

  • Needs sharpening and some customers comment it doesn't sharpen well
Colours:Linen, Seafoam, Surfside, Black, Cocoa, Ash, Bordeaux, Navy Noir, Fig, Cinnamon, Olive, Copper, Sea Grey, Bronze, Night Flash, Gold Lamé, Sequin Green, Smoky Quartz
Eye liner type:Pencil
  • Contains chamomile extract that's anti-inflammatory and an antioxidant
  • Panthenol is a hydrating vitamin B5 to protect skin against environmental damage
  • Vitamin E provides antioxidant protection
  • Ocean-friendly glitter derived from mineral-based silica pearl

Best eyeliner for make up on-the-go

Clinique Quickliner for EyesClinique
Price: $17.60 (was £22)

www.clinique.co.uk

The Clinique Quickliner™ for Eyes has the convenience of a twist up eyeliner, with no need to sharpen. It sets in a minute, allowing time to blend, before drying to a smudge-proof finish. A customer says it even stayed in place when swimming.

Whilst some customers had concerns over the design of the twist mechanism, others praised the design for keeping the eyeliner protected and at a consistent temperature. It also survived being dropped. If you're looking for an eyeliner to pop in your handbag, to apply after you've been to the gym, this is a good choice for portability.

There's a range of colours to choose from that are intended to define your eyes and enhance the iris, rather than highlight. Choose from sumptuous Dark Chocolate, True Khaki, Roast Coffee and more.

Pros

  • Stays in place
  • A lovely range of colours is available
  • No need to sharpen
  • Includes smudging tip

Cons

  • Customers comment about flaws in the twist mechanism
Colours:Black/Brown, Blue Grey, Dark Chocolate, Really Black, Roast Coffee, Smoky Brown, True Khaki, Violet
Eye liner type:Retractable pencil
  • Fragrance free and allergy tested
  • It's safe for sensitive eyes and contact lenses

Best eyeliner for hot weather

Estee Lauder Double Wear Infinite Waterproof EyelinerEstee Lauder

Estee Lauder Double Wear Infinite Waterproof Eyeliner smudge-proof, sweat-proof and humidity-resistant for up to 24 hours. It's a top pick in hot and sultry weather. The ingredients used in this Estee Lauder eyeliner are gentle on skin, plus, with the built-in sharpener and smudge tip it's a great handbag essential for make-up on the go.

The range of customer reviews can be filtered by age and skin type, so you can find out what ladies that are similar to you thought of this product. Some customers felt that the design of this eyeliner was wasteful, as they lost a lot of the product when sharpening it. But the casing will protect the eyeliner more so that some pencil versions.

Customers praise how well the eyeliner stays in place. One comments that it did well in humidity and the fact she wears glasses. In terms of application, customers say it glides on well and many have been using this eyeliner for years.

Pros

  • Is gentle on sensitive skin and eyes
  • Built-in sharpener and soft-smudge tip
  • Glides on well and won't drag on skin
  • Withstands humidity so it's a good choice for summer

Cons

  • Customers comment that a lot of pencil is lost when trying to sharpen it
Colours:Deep Plum, Graphite, Espresso, Kohl Noir
Eye liner type:Retractable pencil
  • Ophthalmologist-tested and fragrance-free

Best value for money eyeliner

L’Oreal Infallible Grip 36h Gel Automatic EyelinerBoots/L’Oreal

Ideal for tightlining, this gel-based eyeliner builds up its opacity the more you apply it, so it's a great choice for achieving the Claudia Winkleman look on a budget. L’Oreal Infallible Grip 36h Gel Automatic Eyeliner is water-proof has almost 500 reviews, voting it 4.6 out of 5 stars. Customers agree that this eye liner is great value, long-lasting and easy to apply. In particular, reviews praise the outstanding colours in the range. So, for an eyeliner that's less than £10 and is sweatproof, waterproof and rubproof, this is a top option.

Whilst it may be a bit too bold for some mature eyes, within the colours available there's scope for highlighting waterlines as well as defining and tightlining with the darker shades.

Pros

  • Good value for money
  • Suitable for sensitive eyes
  • Long-lasting and stays in place

Cons

  • Might be a bit too bold for mature eyes
Colours:Bright Nude, Opalescent, Polar White, Brown Denim, Electric Blue, Emerald Green, Intense Black, Matte Black
Eye liner type:Gel
  • Lasts up to 36 hours
  • Semi-permanent

Best eyeliner to flatter hooded eyes

Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk EyelinerCharlotte Tilbury

Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk Eyeliner is a flattering alternative to black and brown eyeliner. The warm berry-brown colour is uplifting and adds depth and definition to eyes, no matter what colour. This eye liner contains beeswax for a velvety texture that is easy to apply and blendable. A customer comments that they love how this eyeliner enhances her green eyes. She also compliments how easy it is to apply.

If you're looking to liven up your make-up routine and try something a bit different, this eyeliner offers a soft look that's more flattering than a harsh black on hooded eyes. Yours has seen this eyeliner be recommended for wedding makeup as it gives a defined yet soft look.

Charlotte Tilbury recommends to use this eyeliner with Eyes to Mesmerise cream eyeshadow and Pillow Talk Push Up Lashes Mascara.

Pros

  • Flattering warm shade suits all eye colours
  • Positive reviews about easy application and long-lasting eyeliner
  • Love that the colour is something a bit different and softens hooded eyes

Cons

  • A customer comments that the pencil broke while sharpening it
Colours:Berry-brown
Eye liner type:Pencil
  • Lasts up to 16 hours without fading

Best eyeliner for intense eyes

Rimmel London Scandaleyes Exaggerate Eye DefinerBoots/Rimmel London
Price: $3.99 (was £4.99)

www.boots.com

Apply this creamy Rimmel London Scandaleyes Exaggerate Eye Definer for a eye-catching look. Customers praise it for being equally as good as some of the more expensive brands and they use it in various ways: tightlining and applying the lighter shades to highlight their waterline. This eyeliner has a twist mechanism, so there's no need for a sharpener.

It will dry to become a longwear eyeliner, but be aware there may be some transference when you initially apply it. A customer found that it transferred from her upper waterline to her lower by blinking.

In terms of the best retractable eyeliners, this Rimmel products has better reviews for its mechanism than the rest. At less than £5 it's a top choice for a bold look.

Pros

  • Strong and long-lasting so no need to check or reapply
  • Intense pigment for striking eyes
  • Versatile, which is fun if you love to be creative with make-up

Cons

  • Smudges more than others
Colours:Intense Black, Chocolate Brown, Smokey Grey, Cobalt Blue, White Snow, Taupe
Eye liner type:Pencil with built-in smudger
  • Dermatologist and ophthalmologist tested

Best eye liner for a bold look

Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eye LinerAmazon/Stila

Rrp: $24.00

Price: $12.00
https://redirect.viglink.com?key=d0dbd0c339565e753f633a021d364c3d&prodOvrd=PCR&opt=false&u=DEQQEhcKTBxETkIYRgBHXVwUVx1QDl0dQRZcUkEAR0tDEAMdHQJfXxRRV0xIQFRHA0RDQQ5fVBwIWkdBCldJVR0HSVwKXVZLGGYHUAQNAl4%3D&x=v1&prdId=9742746211&barcode=VABUW1AIUwMACgUEBFE%3D
Alternative retailers
Walmart$20.29View offer
Macy's$20.40View offer
Nordstrom$20.40View offer
Target$24.00View offer

We recommend Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eye Liner because this eye liner comes extremely well reviewed on Amazon and customers agree that this it stays on all day, yet is easy to remove. One customer comments: "It looks as good in the evening as when you first put it on." The felt tip of this liquid liner creates a winged look. However, be aware, as a liquid liner it takes a little time to dry. Customers with sensitive eyes have found this doesn't irritate them.

For hooded eyes, this eye liner makes it possible to create a flattering line that doesn't smudge when dry. It also glides on smoothly, simply hold the eye of your eyelid taut to apply.

Pair with Stila Suede Shade Liquid Eyeshadow in Midnight Espresso and Stila Magnum XXX Mascara to finish the look.

Pros

  • Waterproof and stays in place all day
  • Goes on smoothly
  • Tip gives a precise line
  • Amazon's Choice recommended product

Cons

  • Takes a little time to dry
Colours:Intense Black, Alloy, Intense Labradorite, Dark Brown, Intense Jade
Eye liner type:Liquid
  • Award-winning eyeliner

Our verdict: Best eyeliner for hooded eyes

We recommend Trinny London Line2Define for a fabulous range of colours and easy to apply eyeliner. It's a quality product through-and-through. So if you love premium cosmetics, this is a real treat.

Additionally, for sensitive eyes, we loved the dual-ended Studio 10 I-lift Longwear Kajal Liner. Our tester applied the lighter pencil to her waterline with no discomfort and she has super sensitive eyes! Plus, we loved the attention to detail with the personalised booklet and carefully wrapped product.

Studio 10 Beauty eyeliner packaging and marketing tried and tested
©Yours/Studio 10 Beauty

Finally, our biggest surprises was Sculpted by Aimee's EasyGlide Precision Liquid Liner. You would think a liquid liner on hooded eyes is a no-no, but this had such a precise tip that it made it easier to use than pencil eyeliner. It dried and stayed in place. Both our tester (and Mum) loved it. If you tightline your lashes, this is absolutely perfect.

Tried and tested eyeliner for hooded eyes
©Yours

FAQs: Best eyeliner for hooded eyes

What's the best way to apply eyeliner on hooded eyes?

Aimee Connolly, MUA and Founder of Sculpted by Aimee advises on the best way to apply eyeliner on hooded eyes.
“Each eye shape is beautiful, and knowing which shape you have can really help to accentuate and enhance your eyes when applying your makeup. When it comes to eye makeup, a one-size-fits-all approach doesn’t always work.
"To define hooded eyes, avoid wing-tipped liner which might prove difficult to apply. Instead, opt for a creamy liner to tightline your eyes to add fullness to your lashes, alongside a light-coloured liner in your waterline to create the illusion of a wider shape"

What is the difference between tightlining and waterlining?

These terms are easily interchangeable, but tightlining specifically refers to applying eyeliner to the upper lash line to give the illusion of thicker eyelashes. It defines the eyes without looking too heavy. Use a soft eye liner. This is not the best technique for sensitive eyes or contact lens wearers, or if you don't like touching your eyes.
Waterlining refers to applying eyeliner to the inner eyelids. Using a pale eyeliner on the lower inner rim of the eyelid can enhance eye colour and make the eye look larger.
Pushliner technique
Try a flattering makeup look for older ladies with Wayne Goss' push liner technique. For those with hooded eyes, applying eye makeup can be challenging due to limited eyelid space. Makeup artist Wayne Goss introduces the push liner technique, using black eyeshadow and a flat liner brush, it enhances lash definition; ideal for small or hooded eyes where the skin of the eyelid is not visible.

How do I create a lifted look with eyeliner?

The first step is to apply a primer to your eyelids, as it stops eye makeup from creasing and it makes the colour more intense. It also reduces discolouration around the eyes. Use a light eye shadow on the lid and a slightly darker shade on the crease to give a little definition.
For an instant eyelift, use an eyeliner pencil to create a triangle shape in the outer corner of the eye lid. It's important not to go too wide as the looser, older skin can drag the whole look down. Pinch your closed eyelid taut and start at the outside of the eye, working your way in. Apply a thicker line on the outside to create a wedge shape. This gives a lifted look. Draw a line that's tight to the upper eyelashes to complete the lined eye. Use eyelash curlers and finish with mascara.

Meet the expert:

This article contains expert advice from Aimee Connolly, MUA and Founder of Sculpted by Aimee. It also includes expert commentary from professional makeup artist Wayne Goss.

Natalie Knowles is a Homes & Garden Product Writer for Yours, specialising in home appliances. When she's not testing sparkling water makers, she flexes her creative flair as an artist.

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