Hooded Eyes Eyeliner Tips

Hi Linda,

I'm over 50 and my eyelids are hooded and wrinkly, so putting on eyeliner is a real hassle for me.

I've tried all these tricks for hooded, wrinkled eyes, and I can make the eyeliner look okay from far away, but when you get up close, it's all bumpy and uneven. And it flakes off and onto my bottom eyelid and cheeks.

Sometimes by the end of the day, the eyeliner has bled into the area around my eyes and into the wrinkles and looks messy and smeared.

Sometimes I look like I just woke up!

Any tips on the best type of eyeliner for me—or how to apply it so it doesn’t smudge or flake off?

Editor’s Note:

Hi Debbie—thank you so much for writing in! You're not alone—hooded and aging lids can make eyeliner feel impossible some days. I totally get it. I’ve had the same problem too. The good news is that with the right type of eyeliner and a few tricks, it really does get easier.

✅ Eyeliners That Work Well

1. Gel eyeliners: These are my top pick. They’re easy to control, long-lasting, and gentle on the skin. I look for silky gel formulas that glide on without tugging. Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On is a great one—waterproof, creamy, and comes in lots of shades. You can see more top eyeliner picks I recommend here.

2. Pencil eyeliners: Great for everyday. I like using them for a soft definition or tightlining. If you go this route, make sure the pencil isn’t too creamy (see below). Waxier formulas tend to stay put better on mature skin.

☁️ Decent (But Not Perfect) Options

Satin-glide pencils are a middle ground. Some are great, some smudge. If you want to try them, brands like Marc Jacobs, Bobbi Brown, or L'Oréal Paris make popular versions. You might need to experiment to find one that doesn’t transfer or settle into lines.

🚫 What to Avoid (In My Experience)

Liquid liners: These are tricky with hooded or wrinkled lids. Too much pigment, too fast drying, and hard to correct mistakes.

Super creamy pencils: These always smudge on me, especially in the heat. If you really want to use one, try applying an eye primer first—it might help with staying power.

💡 Application Tip That Helps

You don’t have to draw one continuous line! Instead, try dotting small dashes from the middle of your lid outward and then gently connect them. Avoid the inner corners—that can make eyes look more closed off and emphasize puffiness.

📺 Watch It In Action

Check out this eyeliner video tutorial from celebrity makeup artist Debra Rubin-Roberts. Her technique is subtle, clean, and super flattering for aging or hooded lids.

🔗 More Pages You Might Like:

• Eyeliner by Eye Shape


• Step-by-Step Eyeliner Application


• Top Eyeliners That Don’t Smudge

Hope this helps! If you find one that works great for you, I’d love to hear about it. 😊

P.S. My personal favorite? Just a basic waxy Maybelline pencil. It’s cheap, old-school, and doesn’t budge. You can see how I use it here.