How to Apply Eyelid Tape for Hooded Eyes: Step-by-Step Tutorial

Eyelid tape — the thin adhesive strip make-up artists use to define the crease on hooded eyes — is the fastest way to open up the eye without surgery. Applied correctly, it disappears against the skin and holds for the full day. Applied incorrectly, it peels, folds, or shows through eyeshadow. This tutorial walks through the exact technique for hooded eyes, one eye at a time.

Before you start

• Clean, oil-free lids. Wipe the lid with a fragrance-free micellar water and let it fully dry. Any residue of moisturiser, primer, or SPF prevents the adhesive from bonding.
• Skip the eyeshadow primer until the strip is in place.
• Have tweezers ready. Fingertips add oil; tweezers give precision.

Step 1 — Find your natural crease

Look straight into a mirror with both eyes open. On a hooded eye the visible crease sits below the fold of skin. Gently lift the brow and mark — mentally — where the natural crease actually is. That's the target line, not the hood above it.

Step 2 — Choose the right size

Match the strip to the length of your lid: Small for petite eyes, Medium for most adults, Large for wide-set eyes. A strip that's too long will peel at the outer corner as you blink. If in doubt, size down.

Step 3 — Position with tweezers

Look slightly down (not fully closed). Using tweezers, pick up the strip by its outer tip and place it along the natural crease — never on top of it. The matte side goes against the skin. Press gently along the arc for 3–5 seconds.

Step 4 — Open the eye slowly

Open the eye in a slow, deliberate motion. The hooded skin lifts up and back over the strip, revealing a defined crease and hiding the tape completely. Blink several times to let the lid settle. If the strip is visible, the placement was too high — remove and retry a millimetre lower.

Step 5 — Apply make-up last

Powder eyeshadow blends the strip seamlessly into the lid. Apply concealer first, then a light matte shadow across the entire lid — including over the strip. Liner and mascara go on as normal.

How long does eyelid tape last?

Medical-grade eyelid tape like Magicstripes holds for a full 8–14-hour day. It's waterproof against normal sweat and light rain but should not be worn while swimming or in the sauna.

How to remove eyelid tape

Do not pull. Soak a cotton pad in warm water or oil-based cleanser, hold it against the lid for 10 seconds, then wipe gently. The adhesive releases without stretching the skin.

Common mistakes

• Applying on moisturised skin — the strip won't grip.
• Placing on the hood instead of the crease — the strip stays visible.
• Opening the eye too fast — the tape folds instead of tucking under the hood.
• Using a strip that's too long — it peels at the outer corner.

Recommended product

Magicstripes Eyelid Lifting Stripes are the invisible, medical-grade tape referenced throughout this tutorial. Available in Small, Medium, and Large, with 3-month packs for daily wear.