THE DOUBLE WHAMMY: HOODED AND DEEP SET — WHAT WORKS

You have hooded eyes, so the fold of skin covers your crease. You also have deep set eyes, so your eye socket is recessed. Together, they create a very specific challenge: there is almost no visible lash space when your eyes are open.

You've tried lashes before, and they either disappeared completely into your hood, poked your brow bone, or made your eyes look like tiny slits. You might have concluded that false lashes are just not for you.

I'm here to tell you that's wrong. False lashes can absolutely work for you — but only if you use the right shape and the right technique. The problem isn't your eyes. It's the lash design.

THE VISIBLE LASH ZONE: WHY MOST LASHES FAIL FOR YOU

Let me explain what's happening. When you have both hooded and deep set eyes, the visible part of your lash — the part you can see when looking straight ahead — is very small. It's the tiny sliver between your lash line and the fold of your hood.

Most lashes are designed with the most length in the middle. That's the worst possible shape for you. The middle length gets hidden by your hood, so the lash looks invisible. Meanwhile, the outer corner, which should be the longest part, is left without enough length to create any visible lift.

The result is a lash that looks like it's doing nothing — or worse, one that pokes your brow bone when you look up.

THE 5-STEP CUSTOM FIT FOR HOODED DEEP SET EYES

Here's my exact process — it takes about 6 minutes and will give you a lash that actually works.

1. Trim the middle completely. Unlike other eye shapes where you remove a few clusters, for hooded deep set eyes, remove the middle 3 to 4 clusters entirely. This creates a gap that lets the lash sit flat against your natural lash line rather than being pushed up by your hood.
2. Keep the inner corner short. Trim 2 millimeters off the inner edge of the band. This prevents the lash from digging into your tear duct, which is already recessed.
3. Focus all length on the outer third. The outer third of the lash should be the longest part. This is the only section that will be visible when your eyes are open. Don't trim this section at all — it's your lifting wing.
4. Flatten the band. Your eye socket is curved, but the lash band is probably shaped for a more protruding eye. Gently bend the entire band around your finger to make it more flat. This helps it sit snugly against your lash line without gapping.
5. Use two coats of glue on the middle. The middle section is where the lash will naturally lift away from your eye due to the hood. Apply an extra layer of glue to the middle of the band and press it down firmly for 15 seconds.

This approach sacrifices the middle section — which you can't see anyway — and puts all the lash's power into the outer corner, where it creates a visible, flirty wing.

THE MIRROR TEST THAT GUARANTEES SUCCESS

After you've trimmed and applied, do this final check:

• Look straight ahead at the mirror. What do you see? You should see a clear wing at the outer corner. The middle should look like your natural lashes — nothing more.
• Tilt your chin down and look up. This is the position where your hood is most relaxed. The lash should not poke your brow bone. If it does, you need to trim more off the middle.
• Tilt your chin up and look down. This is where your hood is most active. The lash should stay in place and not flip upward. If it flips, the band is too curved — flatten it more.

If your lash passes all three checks, you've achieved the perfect fit. Congratulations — you've customized a lash to an eye shape that most lash brands ignore.

THE STYLE RULES FOR YOUR EYE SHAPE

Beyond the trim, the style of lash you choose matters. Here are my rules of thumb for hooded deep set eyes:

• Avoid any lash that's "full volume" or "dense." The hood will press down on the dense fibers, making them bend and look messy. Choose a lash with visible spacing between the hairs.
• Look for a "wispy" or "cat eye" style. These have the length concentrated at the outer corner, which is exactly what you need.
• Skip the dramatic curl. For deep set hooded eyes, a strong curl will push the lash into your brow bone. Choose a natural or gentle curl instead.
• Never buy lashes with a thick band. A thick band will sit higher on your lid, eating up the little visible space you have. Thin bands are essential.

Following these rules will save you more money and frustration than any other tip I can give you.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What if I can't see my lashes at all when my eyes are open?

That means the lash is too long in the middle and getting hidden by your hood. Remove more clusters from the middle, and make sure the outer third is longer than the middle. The outer wing is what becomes visible.

Will my lashes look uneven if I remove the middle clusters?

No, because the middle is hidden by your hood anyway. From the front, you'll see a clean wing at the outer corner and natural-looking lashes in the middle. It looks intentional and flattering.

How do I make the lash stay put on my hooded eye?

The key is pressing the middle section down firmly after applying glue, and giving it time to dry. Also, use a glue that has some flexibility once dry — a stiff glue will cause the lash to pop off when you blink.

THE LASH THAT'S ALREADY CUSTOMIZED FOR YOUR EYES

I've walked you through a detailed customization process because I want you to have the skills to fix any lash. But the truth is, you shouldn't have to do this every time. PHANSTA LASHES are the only lashes I've tested that are designed for hooded deep set eyes straight out of the box. The middle section is naturally sparse and short, so it blends with your hood. The outer corner is longer and wispy, creating that visible wing. And the band is ultra-thin and flexible, so it sits flat against your recessed eye socket without lifting.

No trimming. No extra glue. No frustration. Just a lash that opens up your eyes and makes you wonder why you ever struggled with this before.

Discover the lash that finally works with your eye shape — not against it.

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