How to Make Your Eyes Look Less Droopy

Co-authored by Shun Pittman

Last Updated: November 3, 2022 References

There are a lot of great ways to describe your eyes: bright, big, beautiful, warm, kind, sparkling, and many more. “Droopy” is not a word you probably want to hear. If you struggle with droopy eyes, there are certainly ways to fix this. With some strategic makeup application, you can help conceal the droopiness. If you find that your skin still needs help, there are some natural remedies to help fix the sagging!

Method 1

Method 1 of 4:

Lifting with Eyeshadow

1
Prime your eyes. Before you apply any product to your eyes, you want to put on a great primer. Makeup primer basically acts as a foundation for makeup, giving it a smooth base to stick to. It will help make sure your eyeshadow lasts all day. Plus, it will prevent smudging, which can make droopy eyes look even droopier.^{[1]
X
Research source}
2
Apply a light color over your lid. Just like with many makeup looks, you will want to choose three shadow colors in light, medium, and dark shades. You will apply the lightest over your entire lid as your base color.

Begin in the middle, carefully blending it out across your entire lid and up to the crease. From the crease, sweep the product up to your brow bone, not adding more product, but simply blending it upwards.^{[2]
X
Research source}

Advertisement
3
Highlight the inner corner and brow bone. This might sound tricky, but it’s not. If you have fair skin, grab a pink or rose gold color. If you have medium skin, use a white or white gold shimmer. For darker skin, try a bronze shadow.

Simply place a bit of your highlight color in the inner corner of your eye and along your brow bone. Then, brush the remaining product on the center of your lid. These highlights will make your eyes look bright and open, and therefore less droopy! ^{[3]
X
Research source}
4
Brush your medium color into your crease. Use a fluffy brush to sweep the product along your eyelid crease, but do not extend it past the outer corner of your eye.

Imagine a line connecting your bottom last line to the tail of your eyebrow. Don’t put dark shadow past that line. Instead, when you get to the end of your crease, gently sweep the product upwards. It shouldn’t be dark or highly pigmented, but it can add a bit of lift to your eye.^{[4]
X
Research source}
5
Add the darkest color to outer edge. Again, imagine a line extending upwards from your lower lash line. If you need to, hold a straight edge or an eyeliner pencil against the bottom of your eye so that it extends up from the outer corner towards your eyebrow. The darkest color should not go past this line.

Instead, brush the color into just the corner of your lid and sweep it upwards. By brushing the color upwards, rather than outwards, it will lift your eye up.^{[5]
X
Research source}
6
Clean up the bottom of your eye with concealer and powder. Use a concealer brush to carefully brush concealer under your eye. Then, bring it upwards so that it follows the upward line you created with your eyeshadow. Use the concealer to make the border of the eyeshadow darker and crisper. Then, simply dust your lightest eyeshadow over the concealer.^{[6]
X
Research source}

Method 2

Method 2 of 4:

Creating Lift with Winged Eyeliner

1
Choose your eyeliner. For this technique, your best options are gel, felt tip, or liquid liners. You will be creating a winged eyeliner look, and these three products work best to create precise lines. Choose the product that you feel most comfortable working with. You may need a bit of practice, but that’s okay!
2
Begin applying your liner in the center of your lid. Carefully begin lining your top waterline at the center of your lid, brushing it towards your outer corner in small strokes. The line should get thicker as it moves toward your outer corner.

Once you’ve outlined from the middle to the outer corner, bring it inwards towards your inner corner. As you bring the eyeliner inwards, thin out the line.
- Stick with thicker lines rather than thin lines to help hide any droopiness even more.^{[7]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Shun Pittman
  Master Cosmetologist, Global Salon Educator & Author
  Expert Interview. 14 April 2021.}
3
Create a wing. To do this, follow the same angle you created with your shadows. From the outer corner of your eye, create a line in eyeliner extending upwards. Bring it to a point, which is the tip of your eyeliner “wing.” From that tip, bring another line inwards, connecting to your top eyeliner.^{[8]
X
Research source}
- For winged eyeliner instructions and demonstrations, check out the article here.
4
Connect your wing to your lower lash line. You do not want to fully line your bottom lash line. However, you can line the very outer corner to attach it to the outer wing and make your makeup look more cohesive. Make sure only the outer 1/4 of your bottom lash line is lined.^{[9]
X
Research source}

Method 3

Method 3 of 4:

Opening Droopy Eyes with Mascara

1
Curl your eyelashes. Use an eyelash curler for this. Clamp your lashes at the base, holding it for five seconds. Then, release your curler and move it down to the middle of your lashes. Clamp and hold again. Release, and do this one more time at the tips of your lashes.

This will give your lashes a big curl, which will also make your eyes look bigger and more open.^{[10]
X
Research source}
2
Apply mascara. Place your wand at the base of your lashes, slowly wiggling the wand towards the ends. The wiggling helps to coat the lashes fully, while also preventing any clumps.

Apply one coat to your lashes and allow it to dry. Then, apply a second coat to your outer lashes. This will create a winged effect that will help to open your eyes even more.
3
Add false eyelashes. This step is completely optional, but you can add fake eyelashes if you have sparse eyelashes, or simply want even more volume. For droopy eyes, it’s best to apply the false lashes only on the outer corners. You can buy special eyelashes for this, or you can simply trim regular lashes. You can learn how to apply false lashes here.

Method 4

Method 4 of 4:

Using Other Remedies

1
Put chamomile tea bags on your eyes. Your eyes may appear droopy if the delicate skin around them is inflamed. Chamomile can help to calm that inflammation. For best results, cool them off in the refrigerator first. Then, lay back, close your eyes, and let the chamomile tea bags sooth your eyes.^{[11]
X
Research source}
2
Relax with cucumber slices on your eyes. It’s a common sight in spas to see women relaxing with cucumbers on their eyes as they indulge in facials and other services.

It might seem silly, but it’s actually beneficial for drooping eyes! Cucumbers have antioxidants that can help de-puff your eyes.^{[12]
X
Expert Source

Shun Pittman
Master Cosmetologist, Global Salon Educator & Author
Expert Interview. 14 April 2021.} Pop the slices in the refrigerator to chill them, and get the benefits from the cucumber and the cold.^{[13]
X
Research source}
3
Tighten your skin with ice water. Cold water can do wonders for sagging, drooping skin. Before going to bed and right after waking up in the morning, wash your face with cold water. If you can’t stand washing your whole face with cold water, at least douse your eyes.

Let that air dry before applying any moisturizers or makeup. Sometimes, just a little water can make all the difference between sleepy, droopy eyes and bright, alert eyes!^{[14]
X
Research source}