5 Common Mistakes When Applying Makeup to Droopy Eyelids

Improper techniques when it comes to makeup can really ruin your look. Learn about common mistakes when applying makeup to droopy eyelids and how to avoid them.

Make-up for drooping eyelids is a strategy to restore light to the eyes without resorting to invasive aesthetic procedures. However, inadequate techniques or incorrect implementation of materials affect the results. Thus, instead of concealing the excess skin, it ends up becoming more pronounced.

So, what should be avoided in order to enhance your look? Because of this aesthetic detail, it’s necessary to get it right both in the cosmetics used and in the way they’re applied. In the following article, we’ll take a look at the most frequent mistakes.

Why do my eyelids look droopy?

If you look in front of the mirror and you can’t see your eye socket but instead notice a sagging with an overabundance of skin, then you have droopy eyelids. This sagging is caused by genetics, as a consequence of a disease, or due to the natural aging process, explains Medline Plus.

The physical evidence is manifested when the end of the upper eyelid has a droop far below what it should actually be. As detailed by the American Academy of Ophthalmology, this is a condition diagnosed as ‘ptosis’. If a pouch forms as a result of excess skin, it is known as ‘dermatochalasis‘.

There’s a medical alternative to lift drooping eyelids. According to the Mayo Clinic, this is blepharoplasty (Spanish link), a surgery that removes excess skin in this periocular area. Even so, it can be concealed with another method far removed from the scalpel: makeup.

The proper application of shadows, a good eyeliner, and working with the right brushes help to achieve an effect of lengthening and opening that’s ideal for the eyes to look expressive. In fact, this noticeably reduces the tired appearance of droopy eyelids.

Mistakes when applying makeup to droopy eyelids

In the quest to improve the appearance of droopy eyelids with makeup, it’s possible to make some mistakes. Failure to correct them will lead to the opposite of the desired results. Therefore, it’s advisable to be aware of them. Let’s take a look at the most common ones.

1. Heavy eyelashes or false eyelashes

The volume of eyelashes is a double-edged sword for eyelids with excess skin. If you want to use false eyelashes, look for subtle ones that give a natural effect; those that are heavy could age or make your look heavier.

Artificial eyelashes go on the outer corners of the mobile eyelid; it’s better to use the bristle system per point or trim a little the ones that come in strips.

2. Inappropriate eyeliner technique

It doesn’t matter if you use liquid eyeliner or an eye pencil, the main thing is to line without closing the eye you’re working on. If you have droopy eyelids and you draw a blind line, when you open your eye, the line will probably be thicker than you expected.

Also, the line may look choppy due to sagging skin. The best eyeliners for this type of eyelid are thin and fairly close to the edge of the lashes.

The best way to line the eyes is to draw a long, upward line that gives the illusion of an enlarged socket.

3. Not using concealer

Concealer is ideal for camouflaging imperfections and blemishes. In addition, when applied to the eyelids, it evens out their tone. So, don’t save the product only for under the eye.

4. Overly arched eyebrows

Overcast eyelids lead to over-rounding of the arch. The solution is to shape the eyebrows or pull out the hairs to create an angle that slims the look. Straight and elevated designs also work.

4. Bad shading

Bright or very light shadows are fashionable, but they’re not very good allies when it comes to drooping eyelids, because they make them look bigger. This doesn’t mean that you should omit them completely; if you use faint or pearly colors, make sure they’re well-blurred.

Dark or transition shades go on the fixed eyelid. Try to choose a range that’s not so intense because it can overload your look. An additional tip regarding shading is to blend the transition toward the top of the crease and, finally, toward the back. This makes the eye look lifted and more expressive.

The importance of using the right tools to make up droopy eyelids

Making up droopy eyelids with your fingers isn’t the best alternative. To rescue the freshness of your look, apart from not making mistakes in the technique, it’s a good idea to use the right tools. In this case, we’re talking about thick brushes created exclusively for blending, smudging, and illuminating.

Rounded brushes with dense fibers are best for shading the eyes. For highlighting, use a beveled brush. And if you need to blend, smoke, or fade, try long, soft-haired brushes. If the eyeliner product is a gel, use a soft brush. Otherwise, most eyeliners have their own applicator.