ASIAN EYELID EDUCATION
Asian eyelids are beautifully distinct and commonly differ from Western or other ethnic eyelid shapes in several key anatomical ways.
One of the most noticeable differences are monolids, where the upper eyelid lacks a visible crease, which gives the eye a smoother, flatter appearance. This is due in part to a thicker layer of preaponeurotic fat in the upper eyelid, which can prevent a crease from forming and adds to the soft, full look of the lid.
Another common feature is the epicanthic fold, a small fold of skin that covers the inner corner of the eye. This creates the signature almond-shape seen in many East Asians and adds to the unique structure of the eyelid. If the epicanthic fold is more pronounced, it will cover the inner corner of the eye and extend across the entire upper eyelid, leading to a smooth, uninterrupted surface from inner and outer corners and from the lash line to the brow - also known as a monolid.
A moderate epicanthic fold may crease as it reaches the upper eyelid, whether towards the front of the eye or towards the middle, which could then be considered a hooded eye or double eyelid. For some people, the epicanthic fold may be less pronounced or it may fold differently as the person ages.
While it is not unusual for Asians to have double eyelids, typically where the fold appears on the eye will be lower and not as deep set. This is referred to as a "lower crease." But, more often, Asians with an eyelid crease, actually have what would be considered hooded eyes.
Hooded eyes or hooded eyelids occur when excess skin or fat hangs over the crease of the eyelid, creating a "hood" that partially or completely covers the crease. The skin above the crease "folds down" and can sometimes obscure it, especially when the eyes are open.
A "classic" double eyelid has a crease that is well-defined and visible, even when the eyes are open, and does not have an epicanthic fold. This makes the eyelid look more prominent and gives a deeper, more open-eyed appearance.
What causes our eyelids to have these distinctions? It's the combination of the levator aponeurosis and preaponeurotic fat pad. The levator aponeurosis is a thin sheet of connective tissue that extends from the levator muscle, which lifts your upper eyelid. It fans out and connects to tarsal plate (a firm structure in the lid), and in many people, the skin of the upper eyelid. When the aponeurosis attaches to the skin, it pulls the skin inward as the eye opens, creating a visible eyelid crease. This is how a double eyelid forms. Preaponeurotic fat is a natural fat pad located just in front of the levator aponeurosis, beneath the eyelid skin. In many East Asians the preaponeurotic fat pad is more prominent, and it adds fullness to the upper eyelid, preventing the skin from folding easily. If the preaponeurotic fat pad is more prominent, it can push down on the levator aponeurosis, preventing it from pulling the skin back in the way that forms a visible eyelid crease. The fat pad also contributes to the hooded eyelid appearance, especially if it is thicker. As the fat pad creates fullness in the upper lid, it can overhang the crease or make the eyelid skin fold down, which contributes to a hooded or heavy look.
These features are natural variations shaped by genetics, not flaws. But they do call for beauty products - like lashes - that are designed with a better fit in mind. At Hannah Cho Beauty, our lashes are made specifically to complement monolids, hooded eyes, epicanthic folds, and smaller eye shapes for a comfortable, natural-looking fit and feel.
Learn more about the different eyelid types on our Eyelid Types page