What Are Hooded Eyes?

Hooded eyes are iconic, adorning the faces of celebrities like Taylor Swift and Jennifer Lawrence. However, with all their depth and dimension, they can still present a few problems. For example, hooded eyes are notoriously difficult to use in eye makeup techniques, like applying eyeliner, mascara, and eyeshadow.

For eyeglass wearers, the problems can continue. The excess skin beneath your brow bone may cause hooded eyes to look smaller than they actually are, so choosing eyewear that accentuates your eyes and adds length and width is key.

In this article, we’ll explain what hooded eyes are, the problems they can cause, and some solutions. We’ll also share which kinds of glasses look the best on hooded eyes, so you’ll have the information you need to get a pair from Pair that looks amazing on your face.

What Do Hooded Eyes Look Like?

Take a look in the mirror — go ahead, we’ll wait. If you can see your entire eyelid while looking directly at your face, you probably don’t have hooded eyes. If you can’t see your eyelid or it seems like you have droopy eyelids, you probably have hooded eyes.

Hooded eyes are technically hooded eyelids. In other words, the hooded feature applies to the eyelid, not the eye itself. Hooded eyes mean a part or portion of your eyelid is covered by an additional fold of skin when your eyes are open.

Eye shapes are often a consideration for makeup artists and eyeglass wearers. Hooded eyes are an eye shape of their own, although they can also co-occur with others. For instance, you might have an almond eye shape with the presence of hooded eyelids. Additionally, hooded eyes can be genetic or may develop with age.

What Causes Hooded Eyelids?

If you’ve recently noticed your eyelids changing, you’re probably in the 40-and-up crowd. Changes in eyelid structure are common as you get older, including sagging skin and loss of elasticity. Your upper eyelid may begin to sag down, and excess skin from your brow may create a fold on your eyelid.

That said, age isn’t the only factor. Genetics can play a major role in whether or not you develop hooded eyelids. If one or both of your parents have hooded eyelids, there’s a good chance you may have them, too.

Eye injuries may also cause your eyelids to change. Likewise, if you’ve suffered a medical condition like a stroke or Bell's Palsy, you may develop a hooded eye or drooping eyelid.

Lastly, the same tactics you use to help rejuvenate your skin may actually result in a saggy eyelid. For example, muscle-freezing injectables are popular for helping reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. However, if your aesthetician or plastic surgeon places them incorrectly, your eyelid can begin to sag.

What Are Some Solutions for Hooded Eyes?

Most people with hooded lids don’t need to have them corrected. However, if they begin to impair your vision over time, you might choose to have a blepharoplasty procedure. An upper blepharoplasty is an eyelid surgery that helps remove the weight of the skin on your upper eyelid and can create a more open look to your eyes.

Another plastic surgery solution is a brow lift, which can help lift the skin from the lid. These procedures are invasive and involve incisions along the brow line. Non-surgical treatments, like dermal fillers, can also help if your hooded lids are due to the aging process and not genetics.

If eyelid lifts and non-surgical options aren’t your thing, you’re probably accustomed to your hooded-lid look and love your alluring eyes. Cosmetic procedures aren’t in the cards, but vision issues still can be. Here’s why.

Are There Vision Problems Associated With Hooded Eyes?

Most people with hooded eyelids won’t suffer from vision issues because of them. However, if your hooded eyes begin to droop more with time, you may experience unexpected changes in your vision. Hooded eyes can cause peripheral vision problems, especially if the extra skin on your eyelids is heavier on the outer edges.

Additionally, if your lash line begins to interfere with your vision, you may have to consider eye surgery to reduce the amount of excess skin on your lid. There are numerous treatment options, including surgical procedures for a permanent solution and non-invasive processes that may still work for your deep-set eyes.

How To Select Eyewear for Hooded Eyes

Whether you currently wear corrective lenses or simply need a great-fitting pair of durable glasses, you’ve come to the right place.

Pair specializes in matching people to the eyewear that makes them look and feel fantastic. Our process is simple and straightforward:

Step One

First, select your favorite frame shape. Remember, with hooded eyes, the eyes themselves may sometimes appear smaller. To “open” your eyes, so to speak, look for frames that allow your entire eye area to stay unobstructed. Round and cat-eye glasses are great options for people with hooded lids.

At Pair, we call the bottom frames Base Frames. These are the frames that house your lenses. Whether you need corrective lenses or not, they’re your eyewear home base.

Step Two

Now, it’s time to add your lenses. If you have a prescription, grab it. At Pair, we offer multifocal lenses (like progressives) and single-vision lenses. We also offer sunglasses and prescription sunglasses. All you have to do is fill in your prescription information — we’ll take care of the rest.

Step Three

Add additional features. These are like little extras that can give your eyewear super powers. Foe example, if you sit behind a computer screen or are on a tablet or smartphone for long periods of time, you might want to consider leveling up your lenses with a blue light filter.

Let’s say you work an outdoor job that requires you to be in the sun. You’ll want to invest in some serious UV protection and possibly a tint to keep your eyes comfortable.

Fun fact: The darkness of your eyewear doesn’t have much to do with UV protection. In fact, polycarbonate lenses are naturally UV-protective. They’re also very durable.

Step Four

Have fun! Now that you’ve selected your Base Frames and lenses, it’s time to make your eyewear your own. Shop from Pair’s Top Frames, which attach to your Base Frames to create brand-new looks every time you switch them out. With Top Frames, you get the benefit of having eyewear that matches your wardrobe, mood, event — anything you like!

What Else Should You Know About Hooded Lids?

Hooded lids can look elegant and rarely need correction of any kind. However, you may find yourself in need of cosmetic surgery if:

• Your Eyelids Feel Heavy. This can happen if your eyelid skin sags more with time. You may also feel as though you have moisture near your eyelid crease, which could be from oil or sweat.

• You Lose Peripheral Vision. If you’re unable to see things out of the corners of your eye, you may need to consider reconstructive surgery to deal with the eyelid ptosis you’re experiencing.

• You Have To Look Up To See Directly in Front of You. If your eyelid skin becomes too heavy or prominent, you may find yourself maneuvering your head to see.

These aren’t the only reasons to consider cosmetic eyelid rejuvenation, and they don’t mean you have to perform a procedure. However, in special cases, it may improve your ability to see clearly.

Hooded Eyewear That Lifts Your Lids

At Pair, our frames are worth raising an eyebrow. If you need new glasses, check us out! We offer a 30-day guarantee, so if you don’t love the glasses you select, just send them back. Our virtual try-on tool also ensures you won’t have any surprises and will love the Base Frames and Top Frames you choose.

Sources:

Hooded eyelid | NCBI

Upper eyelid morphology and age-related changes in Japanese and Chinese females | PubMed

Ptosis (Droopy Eyelid): Causes & Treatment | Cleveland Clinic

Shatter resistance of spectacle lenses | PubMed