Doing eye makeup on my hooded eyes has been a bigger struggle than I'd like to admit. For years, I thought the problem was the products I used rather than my application and placement. After learning more about my eye shape, I played around with the angles of my eyeliner and paid extra attention to what worked best for the look I wanted to create. When it came to determining the best eyeliner pens and pencils for the job, I was at a loss.
With the help of celebrity makeup artists Mali Thomas and Ash K. Holm, I've put together an edit of the best eyeliners for hooded eyes to make your hunt for the perfect pen or pencil that much easier. With the right products and a little bit of patience, it's easier to apply eyeliner on hooded eyes than you may think. Keep reading to learn their go-to tips, tricks, and favorite eyeliners for hooded eyes.
What are hooded eyes?
Determining the shape of your eye can give you a better idea of how to go about doing your makeup in an effective way. Hooded eyes have an extra layer of skin that droops slightly over the crease, making the eyes appear smaller than they actually are. "This can create many challenges when using eyeliner due to limited lid space and smudging or transferring due to the folding of the upper lid," Holm explains.
Before we dive into the dos and don'ts of creating your eyeliner look with a pen or pencil, let's talk about shopping. "When shopping for eyeliner for hooded eyes, look for products that offer long-lasting results and a fine tip for precision. The formula should dry quickly to minimize transfer to the upper lid," Thomas explains. The last thing you want is for your eyeliner to smudge, shift, or transfer during the day, resulting in an eye look that's the farthest from your original goal. No matter the formula, one quick way to test your eyeliner is swiping it on the back of the hand, allowing the product to dry, and then running a finger over it.
How and where should eyeliner be applied to this eye shape?
Now for the tricky part: determining the best way to put product to skin. According to Thomas, there's a trick to pulling it off. "For the best results on hooded eyes, apply eyeliner as close to the lash line as possible for fuller-looking lashes," she tells me. "Concentrate on the outer part of the upper lash line to elongate the eyes, avoiding thick lines that can reduce lid space. Winged eyeliner is also a great option to help lift and define the eyes." If you struggle to control the placement of your hand while holding the eyeliner pen or pencil, try placing your elbow on a flat surface as an anchor. That way, you can sharpen or smudge your eyeliner to your heart's content.
While applying your eyeliner, be sure to move in quick, smooth motions, and be mindful of the product's placement. If there's any tugging or pulling on the skin, your line may be interrupted and have a choppy appearance. "When applying winged liner, it's important to sculpt the wing with the eyes open and looking straight into the mirror," says Holm. "This ensures that the wing follows the natural shape of the eye and appears symmetrical when the eyes are open."
Below, take a look at the best beauty editor and makeup artist approved eyeliners for hooded eyes, accompanied by glowing customer reviews.
The Best Eyeliners for Hooded Eyes, Listed
- Lorac Front of the Line Pro Eye Pencil
- Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Cream Eyeliner Stick
- Chantecaille Le Stylo Ultra Slim Eyeliner
- Nyx Professional Makeup Epic Inc Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner
- Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Liner
Morphe 2 Always Online Gel Eyeliner
Makeup artists and beauty editors agree that this is one of the best drugstore gel eyeliners on the market. It combines a nourishing waterproof formula of vitamin E, jojoba oil, and rose oil with easy-glide precision and bright, blendable color. Plus, it has a built-in sharpener for its precision-tip applicator.
Product Details: Gel eyeliner pencil with built-in sharpener
Shades Available: Power Off, Chocolate Cravin, Whimsy White
Customer Review: "I've never bought Morphe products before but I took a chance after I tried it on the back of my hand, it didn't rub off. Goes on very smooth, stays on even with oily skin, but it comes off easily when you wash your face. I bought brown and blue, and will purchase some additional shades because of how much I like these eyeliners."
e.l.f. Cosmetics No Budge Retractable Waterproof Eyeliner
If a twist-up pencil eyeliner isn't your preference, try a retractable pencil liner for equally easy application and control. This one by e.l.f. Cosmetics uses a creamy and rich formula that glides effortlessly across the skin, offering intense color with a matte finish. It's smudge-proof and long-wearing and comes in a variety of pretty shades.
Product Details: Water-resistant, retractable eyeliner pencil
Shades Available: Black, Charcoal, Navy, Coffee, Ruby
Customer Review: "E.l.f. [Cosmetics] always delivers. Nothing beats their No Budge eyeliner. They have perfected where others fail. Love this product for smooth application and deep pigmentation that doesn't come off until you say so! I am always looking for new colors they may be adding."
Nyx Professional Makeup Epic Ink Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner
Holm always reaches for this classic eyeliner by Nyx for ultra-sleek looks. "The Nyx Epic Ink eyeliner pen is perfect for anyone with hooded eyes because it's extremely long-wearing and has a very fine tip," she explains. "The tip of the pan makes it really easy to sketch out, and the formula lasts all day. It also comes off really easily with [a] makeup remover."
Product Details: Waterproof liquid eyeliner pencil
Shades Available: Nine (Dark Chocolate, Black, Stone Washed, Marshmallow, and more) in matte and shimmer finishes
Customer Review: "I love this eyeliner because you have more control with the tip and it stays in place on my hooded eyes. When I use an eyeliner pencil the product migrates to my shadow due to my eyes being hooded. This liner has come to my rescue and is an affordable game changer."
Physicians Formula Eye Booster Waterproof Ultra Fine Liquid Eyeliner
Physicians Formula's multipurpose eyeliner pen uses a high-tech, waterproof formula to enhance the appearance of lashes while providing the definition of liquid eyeliner. It has a lash-boosting complex that works to strengthen and condition lashes while delivering long-lasting eyeliner looks in a deep black.
Product Details: Waterproof liquid eyeliner with an ultra-fine tip
Shade Available: Blackest Black
Customer Review: "I have somewhat hooded eyes and for some reason every single liquid eyeliner would transfer onto my lids. [It] took me years to find this and it doesn't budge! I love the applicator as well, it's very narrow but controlled and allows for an easy/slick application. Even though it doesn't transfer, it's still easy to remove with any make up remover."
Lorac Front of the Line Pro Eye Pencil
The sequel to Lorac's original best-selling Front of the Line Pro Liquid Eyeliner, the Eye Pencil comes in a variety of matte and metallic shades using a formula that's long-lasting, waterproof, and highly pigmented. Not only is it retractable, but it comes with a built-in sharpener for a superfine point to give you the most precise eyeliner looks.
Product Details: Water-resistant, retractable eyeliner pencil with built-in sharpener
Shades Available: Black, Black Pearl, Charcoal, Dark Brown, Dark Green, Plum
Customer Review: "This eyeliner is amazing! It's extremely pigmented, creamy, and glides easily on the eyes without tugging. It's great for the waterline and for creating a smoky eye. I love that it's retractable too!"
Huda Beauty Creamy Kohl Longwear Eye Pencil
Eyeliners with a kohl formula work beautifully on hooded eyes. Huda Beauty's Creamy Kohl Longwear Eye Pencil is a hybrid "gel-feel" eyeliner that delivers major color payoff with the smudgability of a kohl pencil and the glide and precision of a liquid liner. This is a great pick for anyone who's partial to the clean look of liquid liner but wants to give smoky eyes a try.
Product Details: Kohl eyeliner pencil
Shades Available: Very Vanta, Very Brown
Customer Review: "Tried many many liners and this is my go to now. I only tight line water line upper lid to give the lashes fuller look. It doesn't bleed or irritate my sensitive eyes. Stays wear you put it and most importantly so easy to remove. I don't get panda eyes or anything even after washing my face like other liners."
KVD Tattoo Pencil Liner Waterproof Long-Wear Gel Eyeliner
Do you have sensitive eyes? If so, consider trading in your everyday, tear-inducing eyeliners for a waterproof option like this one by KVD. It's an ultra-smooth, transfer-resistant gel pencil eyeliner that comes in a selection of creamy colors in bold and neutral shades for precise lines, smudged-out finishes, and graphic designs.
Product Details: Gel eyeliner pencil
Shades Available: 11 (Canvas Beige, Jadeite Blue, Chromite Black, Pearlspar White, and more) in metallic and matte finishes
Customer Review: "I can't say enough good things about this product. It glides on so easily that I expected it to smudge just as easily. Boy, was I wrong. It is smudge free and stays on once it's on! I really appreciate that I am able to get such [a] result without compromising the formula and pigment of the product!"
Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner
Of all the eyeliners included on this list, this is by far one of my favorites. Stila's classic eyeliner glides on with ease without skipping, smudging, pulling, or running and has a thin, marker-like tip that's easy to use. I'll always recommend it to anyone who wants to play around with eyeliner looks without worrying about making "un-fixable" mistakes.
Product Details: Waterproof liquid eyeliner
Shades Available: Nine (Black, Midnight, Cosmic Pink, Violet Haze, and more)
Customer Review: "This is the best eyeliner I have ever used. The tip design really gives control when applying, the length and width is perfect for me. You can control the amount of depth of color when applying-one swipe is lighter, second swipe is darker (good for daytime and transition to evening). The product seems to last and has not dried out, [it] seems that I get good quantity for [the] price point."
Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner Micro Tip
Cat-eye enthusiasts and those with oily, hooded lids, unite. The Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner Micro Tip by Stila comes with a micro tip that's ultra-precise for control and accuracy. I like to use this one to fill in the spaces between lashes and create a super-thin, minimalistic cat eye that dries quickly without smudging or running.
Product Details: Waterproof liquid eyeliner pencil with a micro tip
Shade Available: Intense Black
Customer Review: "As someone with oily lids whose signature look is a cat eye, I am very impressed with this! I use a touch of primer and this liner lasts ALL day without smudging, transferring, or cracking off. The pen is super fine and stiff so you can go subtle or build up for a more dramatic look. I have tried dozens of other liners and was looking for something to replace my go-to after it was discontinued. This outperforms anything I’ve tried—obsessed!"
Clinique Quickliner for Eyes
Twist-up eyeliners make everything easier, especially when you're working with hooded eyes that seem to get in the way of the perfect eyeliner look. Clinique's Quickliner twists up, glides on, and smudges with a long-wearing formula that's transfer-resistant and doesn't need any sharpening. On one end, you get a 1/8-inch pencil and a smudging tool on the other.
Product Details: Double-sided twist-up eyeliner pencil with smudge tool
Shades Available: Ten (Really Black, Smokey Brown, Grape, True Khaki, and more)
Customer Review: "This is the best on-the-go eyeliner! I have been using it for years and it's worth every penny. It's a must have for your morning makeup routine, because it goes on fast and is very forgiving. It even has an end that you can use to smudge the line or the corners of your eye. It looks beautiful and lasts throughout the day. My favorite color is Dark Chocolate!"
Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Cream Eyeliner Stick
Thomas had the opportunity to test the updated formulas of the Long-Wear Cream Eyeliner Stick long before its release and couldn't wait to share it with readers. "These liners will surely be a crowd favorite due to instant color payoff and easy application on the eyes," she tells me. "They're perfect for the beauty novice, experts, and, of course, beauties with hooded eyes!"
Product Details: Cream shadow liner with a fine-tip design and built-in sharpener
Shades Available: Panther, Jungle, Fog, Aubergine, Rich Chocolate
Customer Review: "I have very hooded eyes and always struggle with applying eyeliner. This is the easiest application ever! And the best part is it doesn't crease on me which is a huge win for hooded eyes. And it smudges out great too if you want a smoky look. I’m going to be ordering more colors!"
Chantecaille Luster Glide Silk Infused Eye Liner
A pick from Chantecaille (my all-time favorite French cosmetic brand), this eyeliner is inspired by the gorgeous textures and eye-catching colors of Fortuny silk. In addition to being transfer-proof and long-wearing, this must-have eyeliner delivers rich color payoff and shine and has a silky-smooth formula that melts into the lash line.
Product Details: Sharpenable eyeliner pencil
Shades Available: Eight (Olive Brocade, Amethyst, Jasper, Violet Damask, and more)
Customer Review: "These eyeliners are the best. The main reason is that they sharpen to a point unlike most luxury eyeliners. The olive has a sparkle to it and it's a medium tone green with gold sparkles. Quite exquisite. The shade Jasper is a beautiful sparkling shade too. Violet Damask is a matte dark bluish-purple shade. You can’t go wrong with any shade."
Chantecaille Le Stylo Ultra Slim Eyeliner
Chantecaille's Le Stylo Ultra Slim Liquid Eyeliner creates beautiful, precise lines with a flick of your hand. It features a calibrated tip that can be traced evenly along the upper and lower lash lines for maximum control over the movements of the pen. Apple TV's '60s comedy drama Palm Royale has me wanting to wear more retro-inspired eye looks, and this pen is what I'm using to create them.
Product Details: Water-resistant liquid eyeliner with an extra-fine, calibrated tip
Shades Available: Brown, Black
Customer Review: "What a brilliant idea! This is a wonderful liquid eye liner. It glides on so easily—it is just like using a pen. It delivers the perfect amount of color to your eye and stays put. It gives such a fine line and the precision shape of the pen allows you to just paint on your liner. The brown shade is lovely."
Tom Ford Eye Defining Pen
Tom Ford's dual-ended liquid eyeliner has a fine calligraphy tip on one end and brush on the other for unparalleled precision, control, and effortlessly fluid strokes. Not only is this luxe pen option incredibly chic to look at (its brown-and-gold design is to die for), but it also delivers sleek and dramatic eye looks every time without fail.
Product Details: Double-sided liquid eyeliner pen with a fine calligraphy tip and brush
Shade Available: Deeper
Customer Review: "This is my favorite eyeliner I have in my collection right now. It's so easy to do wings and cat eye looks! The color is deep and doesn't get weaker while filling it in which is great. Both sides are easy to use but I like the longer end the most."
How We Tested
As with all of our buying guides atBest Knockoff Luxury Clothing , we compile our edits based on original testing and expert recommendations. To identify the 14 best eyeliner pencils and pens for hooded eyes, we leaned on expert insight and our knowledge as beauty experts. We also considered several factors, including ingredients, versatility, effectiveness, and size. We're aware of how important these factors are for a wide range of preferences, so we made sure to list out all the helpful details. Of course, customer reviews were also kept in mind when creating this list.
Why TrustBest Knockoff Luxury Clothing
AtBest Knockoff Luxury Clothing , we know that beauty isn't one-size-fits-all. Over the years, our editors have tested thousands of products—including skincare, makeup, haircare, and nails—while also working closely with trusted experts, like renowned dermatologists, celebrity makeup artists, and other leading industry insiders. Together, this ensures every guide is well-researched, inclusive, and relevant to you.
We focus on formulas that deliver, whether they're affordable favorites or luxury investments. Our product selection is based on tangible results, ingredient know-how, and what we'd truly recommend to our closest friends and family members.
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