What Are the Differences Between Monolids, Double Lids, & Hooded Eyes?

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Why each eyelid shape is beautiful & how to flatter them

Co-authored by Cordelia Frost and Devin McSween

Last Updated: February 28, 2026 Fact Checked

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• Monolids vs Double Eyelids vs Hooded Eyelids
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• What causes eyelid shape?
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• Makeup Tips
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• Eyelid Shape & Beauty Standards
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• Ways to Create an Eyelid Crease
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• FAQs
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• Video

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Eyelids come in all different shapes and sizes, with monolids, double eyelids, and hooded eyelids being the most common kinds. But, if you’re not sure what sets these eyelid shapes apart, we’re here to help! In this article, we spoke with makeup artist Cordelia Frost and beauty expert Joseph Harwood to learn what each eyelid shape is, what causes them, and how to best flatter them with makeup. We’ll also discuss cultural differences between each eyelid shape. Keep reading to learn more!

Monolids vs Double Eyelids: What's the Difference?

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Monolids, double eyelids, and hooded eyelids are often described as distinct “types,” but in real life there is a spectrum. A helpful way to think about it is that an upper-eyelid crease (the supratarsal crease) is a folding pattern that can be more or less visible. Many people also have a natural “crease footprint,” meaning the zone where the upper-eyelid skin tends to hinge and fold when the eye opens. In some people, the crease footprint shows clearly and consistently. In others, it is subtle, sits low, is partial, or gets covered by how the skin drapes. Hooded eyelids often have a crease footprint too, but overlapping skin and soft tissue can cover it, reducing visible eyelid space.

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Section 1 of 6:

Monolids vs Double Eyelids vs Hooded Eyelids

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   Monolids often have less visible upper-eyelid crease definition. Monolids are a common eyelid shape where the crease footprint is subtle, low, faint, or easily covered by the way the skin drapes, so the eyelid can look smoother between your upper lash line and eyebrow.

   • Many people who have monolids also have an epicanthic fold, which is a fold of skin that covers the inner corner of the eye.
   • Monolids tend to be more common in people of East Asian descent. However, not all people of East Asian descent have monolids. Additionally, people of other ethnic backgrounds can have monolids.
   • Celebrity examples: Lucy Liu, Karen Fukuhara, Sandra Oh, Simu Liu, Daniel Dae Kim, Seulgi (Red Velvet)
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   Double eyelids usually form a more visible crease fold when the eye opens. Double eyelids are another common eyelid pattern where the crease footprint expresses more consistently, although it can still be subtle, partial, shallow, or “hidden” on some faces.

   • People with double eyelids can have many different eye shapes, like almond, round, downturned, or upturned.
   • Celebrity examples: Florence Pugh, Gemma Chan, Michael B. Jordan, Zendaya, Timothée Chalamet, Jenna Ortega
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   Hooded eyelids have overlap that covers the eyelid crease and reduces visible eyelid space. According to Frost, having hooded eyelids often means your eyelid crease is partially or fully covered by overlap below your eyebrow. The skin can fold down toward your upper lash line, making the crease less visible.

   • People with hooded eyelids often do have an eyelid crease. Hooded eyelids usually describe how much overlap covers the crease.
   • Celebrity examples: Sarah Snook, Samira Wiley, Barry Keoghan, Chris Hemsworth, Dua Lipa, Blake Lively
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Section 2 of 6:

Why do people have certain eyelid shapes?

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   Eyelid shape is influenced by genetics, but it is not a simple “single eyelid vs double eyelid gene.” Your genes can influence things like skin thickness, soft-tissue distribution, and the overall structure of the upper eyelid. However, whether an eyelid crease looks visible day to day also depends on mechanics, meaning how the upper-eyelid skin drapes and folds when your eye opens and closes.

   • A useful concept is the “crease footprint,” meaning the zone where the upper eyelid naturally tends to hinge and fold. Some people have a footprint that expresses very clearly, while others have a footprint that is faint, low, partial, or easily covered by drape.
   • It is very common for people to first notice uneven eyelids during puberty. Puberty involves a hormone cascade (signals from the brain and pituitary that increase sex hormone production), plus rapid growth and shifts in skin and soft-tissue behavior. Because eyelid tissue is thin and can get puffy easily, small left-to-right differences in swelling or tissue behavior can change how visible each upper-eyelid crease looks.
   • Lack of sleep can make eyelids look puffier. Fluid retention around the eyes can make one eyelid look more “covered” than usual, which can temporarily reduce crease visibility.
   • Rough eyelid rubbing can also trigger unevenness. Vigorous rubbing can cause irritation and swelling, and if someone rubs one eye more often, that side can look more covered and less consistent.
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   Monolids are often about crease visibility and coverage, not “having no crease at all.” In many people, the crease footprint exists but sits low, is faint, or gets covered by the way the skin drapes, so the eyelid can look smoother from the outside.

   • Some people notice tiny micro-creases or multiple faint skin tension lines, especially when the eyelid skin is more tired, puffy, or irritated.
   • Monolids are seen across many backgrounds worldwide, and they can vary a lot in how much eyelid space shows.
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   Double eyelids usually mean the crease fold forms more reliably when the eye opens. This tends to happen when the upper-eyelid skin and deeper eyelid structures encourage a consistent folding pattern, so the crease footprint shows more clearly, though it can still be partial, shallow, or “hidden” on some faces.

   • Some people have a crease that is visible in the morning but looks more covered later in the day. This can relate to swelling, tissue tone, and how the skin drapes.
   • Because crease visibility can change with conditions, it is often more accurate to think of double eyelids as a range rather than one single look.
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   Hooded eyelids can be influenced by genes, aging, and how soft tissue sits around the upper eyelid. Hooded eyelids often have a crease footprint, but overlap can cover it and reduce visible eyelid space.

   • Temporary puffiness can make hooding look more pronounced.
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Section 3 of 6:

Makeup Tips for Each Eyelid Shape

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   Monolids Monolids are a gorgeous eyelid shape that can make eyes appear smaller or sleepy-looking. Because this eye shape often has less visible crease definition, you use different techniques to flatter monolids than to flatter double eyelids. Using these makeup tips can help open up your eyes and make them pop, or accentuate the alluring, sleepy look. For instance:

   • Layer your eyeshadow vertically to define your eyes. First, apply lighter shades all over your eyelid and closer to your brow bone. Then, place mid-toned shades along the center of your eyelid. Focus darker shadows on your upper lash line.
   • Use liquid eyeliner to help prevent smudging. Smudging and transferring eyeliner onto your eyelids can be an issue with monolids, so use a pen eyeliner or liquid eyeliner. These eyeliners dry quickly and tend not to smudge.
   • Apply a thin line of eyeliner to open up your eyes. Aim to keep your eyeliner on the thinner rather than the thicker side to help your eyes appear larger and brighter. This still defines your eyes while helping to prevent any smudging.
   • Curl your lashes and apply mascara. Curling your lashes also helps to make your eyes pop. Simply use an eyelash curler and then sweep on your favorite mascara, brushing it from the base of your lashes to the tips.
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   Double eyelids Double eyelids are another beautiful eyelid shape. There are different makeup techniques for double eyelids than monolids to help this eye shape pop and appear bigger and brighter. To help flatter your unique eyes:

   • Apply darker eyeshadows in the crease to intensify your eyes. After you apply a lighter base shade all over your eyelid, sweep a darker shadow along the crease to define your eyes. Focus the color on the outer corner of your eye and blend it out well.
   • Apply highlight in the inner corners to make your eyes brighter. To help your eyes pop and appear bigger, dab a matte or shimmery shade in a very light color onto your inner corners.
   • Play around with different eyeliner looks to define your eyes. Most double eyelids look great with thin or thick eyeliner. For a more subtle look, keep your liner thin. For a more dramatic look, thicken up the crease. Opt for a dramatic wing or subtle cat-eye, too.
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   Hooded eyelids Hooded eyelids are stunning, too, and can make eyes look smaller or give them a sultry, sleepy look. Since this eye shape has less eyelid space, you use different techniques to complement your eyes. So, to help open up your eyes and accentuate their shape, try these tips:

   • Apply light eyeshadow on the center of your eyelid to widen your eyes. To help open and brighten your eyes, concentrate lighter shades on the center of your eyelids.
   • Sweep darker shadows above your crease to define your eyes. Place your darker eyeshadow along the outer corner and slightly above your eyelid crease. This makes the darker shade visible, helping to emphasize and open your eyes.
   • Apply a thin line of eyeliner using a liquid product to open your eyes. Like monolids, hooded eyelids are prone to eyeliner smudging. Harwood suggests using an eyeliner pen or liquid liner and keeping the eyeliner thin along your upper lash line. This defines your eyes and helps them appear wider.
   • Brush your brows upwards to lift up your eye area. To give the appearance of a more lifted eye, comb your brows up. Simply set them with a bit of brow gel.
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Section 4 of 6:

Eyelid Shape and Beauty Standards

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1. 
   Some cultures consider monolids beautiful while others think double eyelids are. Both monolids and double eyelids are beautiful eyelid shapes—neither is “better” to have than the other. What’s considered conventionally beautiful is different in different places, though. For instance, in some East Asian countries, double eyelids are seen as a sign of attractiveness. Because of this, some people with monolids get treatments and surgeries to get double eyelids.

   • While getting double eyelids is a personal choice, it’s important to remember that monolids are beautiful and don’t mean anything negative about you. Beauty is entirely subjective and looks different to different people!
   • There are medical reasons why people with monolids might want double eyelids. Monolids can sometimes interfere with vision or cause ptosis, which is when your upper eyelid droops over your eye.

Section 5 of 6:

Ways to Create an Eyelid Crease

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1. 1
   Use specially designed eyelid tape (variable sizing) to guide and stimulate the eyelid skin. Specialty eyelid tapes come in multiple sizes and shapes so you can match the tape to your eyelid profile and guide a crease path that looks natural and feels comfortable.

   • Many people first notice uneven eyelids starting around puberty. During puberty, hormone signaling ramps up and the face is still changing, which can shift soft-tissue behavior and day-to-day puffiness. Because upper-eyelid tissue is thin and swells easily, small left-to-right differences in swelling, irritation, or tissue tone can make one upper-eyelid crease look less visible than the other.
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   • Many people have a “good eye” where the upper-eyelid crease (the supratarsal crease) is well defined and follows a dominant skin tension line. Because that crease path is mechanically favored, it stays reliable throughout the day and usually holds up even when the eyelid skin is temporarily puffy from poor sleep, salty foods, crying, or mild rubbing.
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   • Many people also have a “difficult eye,” where the supratarsal crease is less reliable. This can happen when there are multiple skin tension lines (so the crease path looks confused), or when the crease is compromised (shallow, broken, or incomplete). On the difficult eye, normal stressors like morning puffiness, lack of sleep, salty foods, crying, or rubbing can make the crease even less consistent, which is why that eye may look smaller or more covered.
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   • Variable sizing matters because the thin crease-shaping strip determines the crease size and shape. It needs to match each person’s eyelid profile. If the tape is too large, it can feel bulky or look uneven. If it is too small, it may not guide the fold clearly.
   • For best accuracy, use a tabletop mirror below eye level and look downward so the eyelid skin is smoothly extended before placement. Then place the tape along the crease path where the eyelid naturally wants to fold when you blink, instead of forcing a crease much higher than the eyelid wants to fold.
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   • Optional second strip for stability: Some routines add a second, smaller support strip that works with the first strip to stabilize the fold while the tape is worn. Keep adhesive on skin only and avoid placing tape on eyelashes.
   • When the two strips work together, the crease path can stay more consistent under normal stressors. Over time, consistent gentle guidance plus good skin care can help the crease stay reliable for longer stretches. Rough eyelid rubbing and irritation can destabilize a crease whether it comes from tape training or surgery, so protecting eyelid skin matters.
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   • If your crease looks weaker when your eyelid skin is puffy, do a quick “reset” with gentle eyelid crease exercises when needed.
     • Common times this happens include:
       • After waking up in the morning (most common)
       • Long periods of looking down
       • Low blinking (studying, reading, watching movies)
       • After crying
       • After sweating, gym sessions, or sauna use
       • After showering
       • Driving and squinting
       • Using a computer set below eye level
       • After removing cosmetic day tapes
       • Early evening fatigue slump
     • For a step-by-step guide on eyelid crease exercises, see: https://opti-fold.com/blogs/science/crease-guide
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   Eyelid glue Harwood says eyelid glue is another way to create an eyelid crease. Simply apply the glue in a semicircle shape where you want your crease to start. Wait for the glue to get tacky and then use the provided plastic tool to press a fold into the eyelid skin.

   • It’s typically easier to apply your makeup before you use eyelid glue.
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   Double eyelid surgery (Blepharoplasty) Surgery is one long-lasting way to create an eyelid crease. There are several different ways a surgeon can create a crease. In one method, they add sutures along your eyelid to mimic the look of a crease. In another method, they cut away excess skin on your eyelid and then close the incision.

   • Suture-only surgery is generally less invasive, takes quicker to heal, and does not create a scar. However, the results are often more subtle, and there’s a slight chance the sutures can become undone.
   • The incision-based surgery is more invasive, takes longer to heal, and can leave a faint scar. However, this is a good option for people who have excess skin around their eyelids, or their eyelids are impacting their vision.
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   Epicanthoplasty For people who have an epicanthal fold, this surgical procedure can also help create a crease. During this surgery, a surgeon cuts into the epicanthal fold along the inner corner to help open up the eye.

   • Many people get an epicanthoplasty when they get double eyelid surgery.
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Section 6 of 6:

Frequently Asked Questions

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1. 1
   Are monolids or double eyelids better? Neither monolids nor double eyelids are “better” than the other. Both of these eyelid shapes are beautiful in their own unique ways.

   • Remember, what’s considered beautiful is entirely subjective and differs from person to person.
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   Are double eyelids rare? No, double eyelids are not rare. They are a common eyelid shape in people of all ethnic backgrounds, all over the world. Genetics can influence anatomy, but eyelid crease patterns are not a simple dominant or recessive trait.
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   Are certain ethnicities known for having double eyelids? People of all different ethnicities can have double eyelids. So, they aren’t specifically unique to any one group or culture.
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   What is the rarest eye shape? Generally, some of the rarer eye shapes include monolids, prominent eyes, and downturned eyes. Almond-shaped eyes and round eyes are some of the more common eye shapes.
5. 5
   Are certain genetic syndromes associated with eyelid shape? People with genetic syndromes often share physical features, like the shape of their eyes. For instance:

   • Epicanthal folds can be a shared feature between people who have Williams syndrome and Down syndrome.
   • Almond-shaped eyes can be a shared trait in people of Prader-Willi syndrome or Baker-Gordon syndrome.
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