Struggling with eye make up application - hooded/droopy eyes :(

[HaveAGoodDay]

Ok, so to be brief I had some Botox about 4 weeks ago for headaches. It's made my eyebrows droop & had a knock on effect so in turn its caused my eyelids to become hooded - I have so much excess skin on my upper eyelids, my 'mobile' lid is not visible when my eyes are open. I can't get to my eyelid to apply eyeliner or mascara correctly. If I try to put mascara on, it just smudges onto the top eyelid area. It's beginning to really bring me down, I look like I'm constantly pi$$ed off!

I've watched a few YouTube vids for make up tutorials for hooded eyes but they're not as droopy/hooded like mine!

Do you think it would be a start to but some good eye shadow brushes or do they all basically do they same job, I basically have just the one brush to apply eyeshadow.

I've thought about going to one of the make up counters ( I don't use £££ make up, just run of the mill stuff like loreal, Rimmel etc) & asking them for a lesson/demonstration but it's a) finding the time & b) finding the courage!

I saw your title and came on to say Botox brow lift but it seems that us the cause of your problem in which case first thing is going back to your doctor and ask their advice re droopiness.

Second good makeup brushes make a huge difference so I'd invest in some anyway as they'll stand you in good stead after the Botox wears off.

Pastperfect - if the Botox proves to be successful in eradicating my headaches, I'm due for another round of botox in 3 months, now I'm really really am hoping that this works, droopy brows, hooded eyes may be a side effect of course i'd rather have that than the daily headaches but would there be a way to avoid the hooded eyes effect next time? I had 31 injections all over my scalp, neck, temples and a few I'd say mid forehead area, which I suspect is the ones causing the droopyness. I really don't like the sensation of not being able to move my forehead anyway.

I have had Botox for an eyebrow lift - it is very effective but I was cautioned too much could give the opposite effect which is what you describe.
I'd go back to your doctor - I can see why droopy eyes would be an acceptable side effect to curing your headaches but I would hope a good practitioner could find an appropriate balance. Good luck

Is is this? That's so interesting, I didn't even realise it was possible. Definitely report the side effect - the original study (if it's the same as the link above) listed it as a side effect for about ~3% of patients so it's not normal and they should be tracking and managing it.

For makeup in the meantime, have you looked for youtube tutorials for oriental eyes eg?

OK, Haveagoodday I have had hooded droopy eyelids for years and this is what I've learnt about eye makeup:
First, a good matte eye primer, something like Urban Decay Primer Potion in Original (purple tube). This will prevent transfer onto the upper lid. If your mascara still transfers after this then perhaps you'll need a different mascara.

Then, if you want to wear eyeshadow, this will really 'open' your eyes and stop the cross look:

Put a matte eyeshadow, preferably in a taupey shade, in and just above your 'socket'. This probably means you'll have to 'invent' the crease and work the shadow into the skin where the crease should be. Check in the mirror with your eyes open - you need to see the shadow when the eye is open.
Then put a darker shade on the outer quarter of the upper lid, going up into and just above the socket so you can also see a bit of this with open eyes. Then blend all of this.
Maybe smudge a bit of eyeshadow on your lower lashes or do your lower liner in your normal way.
Dust very lightly with a setting powder. This should really stop any transfer. If you're still getting transfer then you could try some of the long wearing cream shadows like Bobbi Brown or Maybelline Color Tattoo (they do a good matte taupey grey called Tough as Taupe).
Then mascara.
Do you curl your lashes? According to Lisa Eldridge we should. I can't really be bothered so after mascara I just sort of hold them up and out with the mascara wand so they dry in that position. This is important as it covers and softens the hooded bit.
This should leave you with a contoured, matte, neutral, natural eye.
If you want to use eyeliner, don't put it on top of the eyelashes, but do tightlining instead.
You can add more eyeshadow if you want different looks. If you use shimmery shades, just make sure you don't get it in or just above your crease or on the hooded bit as it'll highlight it.

Brushes: I think this Real Techniques eye brush kit is good.

Have fun experimenting. Lisa Eldridge is a good resource. I've learned to be wary of Youtube makeup 'experts' advising on this eye shape as many of them give very bad advice!

Get some of those eye lid tapes. Super effective and cheap as well.

Look up mono lid makeup tutorials on YouTube. That should help.

Thanks so much for all of your advice :)

UnwittingAccomplice - yes apparently so, there has been a significant response over the years, Botox seems to of done wonders for many migraine sufferers. I've had to push for four years to get mine though (after trying about twenty different tablets!)

But time will tell if it works for me. I think I need to stop worrying about the dam droopy eyelids etc or I'll bring on the headaches! It could just be that I've finally had something that works but the side effect may prompt me to start having them, so what would be the point in the first place! I really need to take a step back & try not to get too worked up about it, but when you put make up on everyday, it's difficult not to feel a little dispondent. OH just thinks i'm being 'daft' hasn't a clue at all.