For months, I debated whether to get an upper blepharoplasty to address my increasingly heavy, hooded lids. Before committing to surgery, I tried a lineup of less-invasive in-office treatments—including energy-based devices, a neuromodulator “brow lift,” and regenerative treatments—to tighten the skin and subtly lift my brows. In my opinion, the combination worked. Maintaining it, however, would cost as much as buying a used car… every single year.

That’s when I started wondering whether I could fake that lifted look using makeup alone. A few good brushes and a tube of mascara are far more palatable than a needle or a device—zero pain, zero downtime, and a much lower recurring bill.

I called one of my favorite makeup artists, Nick Barose, whose celebrity clients include Lupita Nyong’o, Rachel Weisz, and Brie Larson, to walk me through a full eye-lifting makeup routine. His approach to hooded lids isn’t about camouflage—it’s about creating the illusion of structure where skin has started to flatten or fold. “Adding definition opens up the areas where extra skin is hanging over,” he explains. “You can create the illusion of depth by playing with light and dark, as well as contrasting matte and soft-shimmer textures.” In other words: Think less eye shadow, more contour.

Here’s exactly what he taught me, so you can try it, too.

1. Prime under the eyes with a tightening gel

Film-forming gels can visibly smooth and tighten skin for a few hours, with results kicking in after about five minutes. They work by creating a flexible “second skin” (using ingredients like silicates and polymers) that contracts like shrink wrap as it dries, smoothing texture and subtly tightening the area. Caveat: They can flake with sweat or when layered skin care, so you’ll want to apply a thin layer to clean, dry skin. Let it set completely—ideally without making any facial expressions—before you add any makeup on top.

Try: