How To Apply Eyeshadow Like A professional
Your eye shape
Eye color
Must-have brushes guide
Perfect makeup application
Our expert tips
Top 10 Mistakes
Eye Makeup Application: Step-by-Step Instructions
When it comes to eye makeup, the goal is to highlight your eyes, allowing your creativity (and inherent beauty) to take center stage!
The first and most crucial factor to consider is the shape of your eyes.
I remember struggling to understand why certain makeup looks that looked stunning on others didn’t have the same effect on me. The answer? My eyes are deep-set, and I was trying to recreate a look designed for someone with almond-shaped eyes. Consequently, my pronounced brow bone cast shadows where I didn’t want them, resulting in a final look that vastly differed from my intended outcome. This experience dates back to my early days as a budding Makeup Artist. Since then, I’ve learned so much – and I’m excited to share these crucial tips with you for perfecting your eyeshadow application!
Step 1
First, you will need to determine the eye shape you are working with before beginning the makeup application. There are several eye shapes: round, almond, monolid, hooded, small, protruding, downturn, upturn, and deep-set eyes. When you’ve confirmed the correct shape you are working with, you can move on to the next step.
Step 2
The eye color you are working with on your client (or on yourself) is also an important factor in choosing the right eyeshadow color. Depending on the eye color, some colors can make you look tired, while others will make your eyes look bright and sultry. You always have to use products that compliment your eye color. For example, for blue eyes, choose oranges, reds and warm browns. For green eyes, purples, burgundy and warm browns or red colors are the ones that will make your eyes pop. For brown eyes any eyeshadow color is destined to look great!
Step 3
If you want the eye makeup to be perfect and professional – you will need to ‘invest’ in some great brushes. There are a ton of brushes on the market right now (and luckily, they really don’t have to be very expensive!); Morphe Brushes, E.L.F, or Real Techniques have really good quality affordable brushes! The other plus? You won’t need to have a ton of brushes, it will be enough to have 4-5 varying brushes to apply eye makeup.
1-A soft, fluffy brush is used to create dimension in the crease and facilitate blending.
2-A somewhat firm, rounded brush allows for a more controlled eyeshadow application and seamless blending.
3-A flat, dense brush is perfect for applying rich color onto the eyelid.
4-A flat, sharp brush is designed for precision. Use it to highlight your inner corner and brow bone, define your lower lash line, or even apply tight lining and eyeliner.
5-The eyeliner brush is your go-to tool for precise eyeliner application and tight lining.
When you have answered all of the above questions (you know the eye shape, you’ve chosen the right eyeshadow color(s) for the eyes, and you have brushes on hand), here comes the most interesting, creative, and fun part—makeup application!
“Here are Some Expert Tips for Flawless Eye Makeup Application: A Guide to Creating the Classic Smokey Eye”
1. Pay attention to the inner corner of your eye, which always should be a slightly lighter highlight to “open up” your eyes.
2. Medium eyeshadow on the lid and dark eye shadow in the outer corner.
3. Or you can even skip the medium and apply a dark eyeshadow to the outer “V.”
4. The same goes with the lower eyelid: light-medium-dark.
The brow bone has to also be gently highlighted
The brow bone has to also be gently highlighted to “lift” the brow and to create an illusion of a bigger eye. This is a classic technique that works for all eye shapes. Again, light-medium-dark.
The first tip is to use primer!
Always! This will even out the skin color of your eyelids if you have veins or discoloration, it will make the payoff of the eyeshadow color and pigment much better and it will make your eyeshadows stay the whole day without fading. The benefits of an eyeshadow primer are truly endless!
Always adopt a gentle approach when applying eyeshadows to the crease. This tip, in my opinion, is vital! It helps prevent your eye makeup from creasing and ensures a more seamless blend. Holding the brush nearer to the end of the handle reduces pressure on the bristles, resulting in a more subtle and refined eyeshadow application.
You should always go from the lightest shade to the darkest in the crease!
Prep your crease with the light brown eyeshadow first and then take medium brown and then dark brown or even black eyeshadow. Prepping your crease with a lighter shade will make it easier for you to blend the darker shade later. You can even blend in between each eyeshadow application with a clean brush to make the blending appear more professional.
For monolids (such as Asian eyes) you will have to create a crease yourself and the steps going from lighter to darker eye shadow will be incredibly helpful.
The rule of thumb is, the darker the eyeshadow, the smaller the brush you should use. This ensures more precision in areas that require deeper hues to highlight your eyes, such as the outer corner. Smaller brushes offer better control, which is crucial when handling darker shades.
Don’t apply too high on your upper eyelid or too low on your lower eyelid with dark eyeshadows. This exception is if you are looking to achieve a ‘messier’ look with your eyeshadow for the specific style (ie: grunge, goth, rocker, etc).
Don’t take too much product on your brush. You can always add additional color later; it is much easier to add than subtract color!
In case you’ve accidentally applied too much eyeshadow and wish to tone it down, use a matte light (like ecru or nude) eyeshadow on a fluffy brush and sweep over the area you want to lighten. This technique significantly aids in blending everything seamlessly. At times, light shimmery eyeshadows or pigments may be more effective in evening out and blending colors than their matte counterparts.
Tap off the excess every time you grab the eyeshadow from a pan. It will save you from fallout.
Don’t shy away from tight lining, as it can dramatically enhance your appearance, making your lashes seem fuller and more intense. This technique is particularly beneficial for individuals with hooded eyes, as the skin fold over the eye conceals the eyeliner. If you have hooded eyes, you might even opt to forego the eyeliner altogether and proceed directly with tight lining.
A Few More Tips
Tip 1
If you want any eyeshadow to give you more color and be more opaque, you will look to choose a creamy white base underneath (blended out before the final color eyeshadow application).
Tip 2
If you want your lighter eyeshadow to pop even more, you can use a darker base for them, it can be a brown or black eye pencil, cream eyeshadow, or even a gel liner. One thing that matters is it has to be a cream-based product (so that the eyeshadow sticks to it), and it will also be blended out with a white base.
Tip 3
Keep in mind if you use a powder black base, the color will not show up. This trick works especially well if you use metallic or foiled eyeshadows or pigments, or glitter on top of this base.
#Top 10 Mistakes
Mistake #1: Putting too much
product on your brush.
The primary reason for eyeshadow fallout is often due to improper application techniques. To prevent this, dampen your brush slightly, pick up a small amount of glitter, and carefully press it onto the desired areas.
Mistake #2: Not using a primer before applying powder eye shadow.
Primer plays various roles such as hydrating dry eyelids, ensuring the longevity of the eyeshadow, and preventing the shadow from scattering onto your cheeks. If you’re hesitant to buy a separate primer, consider using alternatives like a scent-free lip balm, salve, or eye cream.
Mistake #3: Applying concealer to your lids before shadow.
Concealer can be too cakey, which changes the color of the eye shadow and doesn’t look good.
Mistake #4: Buying nude shades that “match” your skin tone.
You’re better off reaching for something metallic to make your eyes stand out.
Mistake #5: Skipping shadow underneath your eyes.
Putting shadow on the small lid underneath your eyes can complete your look. Use a small tapered brow brush to get in that delicate area, and then take the color you’re using back up to the crease in a sideways V-shape for a messy but put-together look.
Mistake #6: Limiting your eye makeup to traditional eye shadow products only.
It’s recommended to explore various makeup types to enhance your eyelids with depth and dimension. For instance, consider applying a damp blush to craft a sunset-like aura, or utilize bronzer to introduce a hint of sun-kissed charm. Feel free to experiment with diverse textures and finishes – a touch of highlighter can infuse a gentle shimmer on your lids.
Mistake #7: Applying eye makeup before foundation.
It’s best to apply foundation before any eye makeup so that your skin looks perfect and you don’t have to use multiple eye shadows.
Mistake #8: Using only a makeup brush to apply eye shadow.
Your fingers are a powerful and versatile tool, capable of achieving results that even high-end brushes might struggle with. However, in light of the COVID pandemic, we’ve put safety measures in place which require obtaining client approval and conspicuously cleaning hands prior to service provision.
Mistake #9: Thinking you need four different shades of eye shadow for a proper look.
You can get away with using just one shadow shade.
Mistake #10: Using black eye shadow to create a smoky eye.
A smoky eye can come from many different colors, such as a subtle brown, dark gray, or plums and navy shades.
Feel free to unleash your creativity, test out various methods, and discover what suits your eye shape and color the most! Once you’ve mastered these techniques, it’ll take you less than 10 minutes to flawlessly blend your eyeshadows, making your eyes strikingly prominent!
FAQ: Eye Makeup and How to Apply Eyeshadow
What is Basic Eye Makeup?
Basic eye makeup involves a few fundamental steps to enhance the eyes and create a polished look. Here are the key components:
Primer:
- Purpose: To create a smooth base for eyeshadow, enhance color payoff, and increase longevity.
- Application: Apply a small amount of eye primer across the entire eyelid up to the brow bone and blend it in.
Eyeshadow:
- Shades: Typically involves at least three shades—a light shade for highlighting, a medium shade for the crease, and a dark shade for defining.
- Application:
- Base Shade: Apply the lightest shade over the entire lid up to the brow bone.
- Crease Shade: Use the medium shade in the crease of the eyelid to add depth.
- Outer Corner/Defining Shade: Apply the darkest shade to the outer corner of the eye and blend into the crease for definition.
Eyeliner:
- Purpose: To define the eyes and make the lash line appear fuller.
- Types: Pencil, gel, or liquid.
- Application: Apply along the upper lash line. You can also apply it to the lower lash line for a more dramatic look.
Mascara:
- Purpose: To enhance the lashes by adding length, volume, and curl.
- Application: Apply from the roots to the tips of the eyelashes using a zigzag motion to avoid clumps. Apply to both upper and lower lashes.
Eyebrows (Optional but recommended):
- Purpose: To frame the face and give structure to the eye area.
- Products: Brow pencil, powder, or gel.
- Application: Fill in any sparse areas with light, hair-like strokes and set with brow gel.
What is the Makeup for Your Eyes Called?
The makeup used specifically for your eyes includes several products designed to enhance their appearance. Here are the common types:
Eyeshadow:
- Used to add color, depth, and dimension to the eyelids. Available in various forms such as powder, cream, and liquid.
Eyeliner:
- Defines the eyes and makes the lash line appear fuller. Comes in pencil, gel, and liquid forms.
Mascara:
- Enhances the eyelashes by adding length, volume, and curl.
Eyebrow Products:
- Includes pencils, powders, gels, and pomades to fill in and shape eyebrows.
Eye Primer:
- Prepares the eyelids for eyeshadow application by providing a smooth base and increasing the longevity of the makeup.
False Eyelashes (Optional):
- Used to add dramatic length and volume to natural lashes.
How to Apply Eyeshadow
Applying eyeshadow can transform your look. Here’s a step-by-step guide:
Start with Primer:
- Apply a thin layer of eye primer to your lids to ensure the eyeshadow stays in place and appears vibrant.
Apply a Base Shade:
- Use a light, neutral shade to cover the entire eyelid up to the brow bone. This creates an even canvas for other colors.
Add a Crease Shade:
- Use a medium-toned eyeshadow to define the crease of your eyelid. Apply the shade with a fluffy blending brush and blend back and forth in a windshield-wiper motion.
Define with a Darker Shade:
- Apply a darker color to the outer corner of your eye and blend it into the crease. This adds depth and dimension.
Highlight the Brow Bone and Inner Corners:
- Use a shimmery or light shade to highlight the brow bone and the inner corners of the eyes.
Blend Well:
- Blend all the shades together to eliminate harsh lines and ensure a seamless transition between colors.
Finish with Eyeliner and Mascara:
- Apply eyeliner along the upper lash line and, if desired, the lower lash line. Finish with mascara to enhance your lashes.
By following these steps, you can achieve a beautiful and polished eye makeup look.
What is the Base for Eye Makeup?
The base for eye makeup is an essential step that helps create a smooth canvas, enhances the color payoff, and ensures the longevity of your eyeshadow and other eye products. Here’s a detailed look at what constitutes the base for eye makeup:
1. Eye Primer
Purpose:
- To create a smooth surface on the eyelids.
- To enhance the vibrancy of eyeshadow colors.
- To prevent creasing and smudging, making the eyeshadow last longer.
Application:
- Apply a small amount of eye primer across the entire eyelid up to the brow bone.
- Use your fingertip or a brush to blend it evenly.
Popular Choices:
- Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion
- Too Faced Shadow Insurance
2. Concealer or Foundation
Purpose:
- To even out the skin tone on the eyelids.
- To cover any discoloration or veins, providing a neutral base for eyeshadow.
Application:
- Apply a thin layer of concealer or foundation on your eyelids.
- Blend it out with a makeup sponge or brush.
- Set it with a translucent powder to prevent creasing.
Tips:
- Choose a long-wearing, crease-resistant formula.
- Make sure to use a shade that matches your skin tone.
3. Setting Powder
Purpose:
- To set the primer or concealer.
- To absorb any excess oils on the eyelids.
- To create a smooth surface for blending eyeshadow.
Application:
- Lightly dust a translucent setting powder over the primer or concealer using a fluffy brush.
- Ensure it’s applied evenly to avoid patchiness when applying eyeshadow.
Popular Choices:
- Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder
- RCMA No-Color Powder
4. Base Eyeshadow Shade (Optional)
Purpose:
- To create an even canvas for other eyeshadow colors.
- To help other eyeshadows blend more smoothly.
Application:
- Use a light, neutral eyeshadow shade that matches your skin tone.
- Apply it all over the lid up to the brow bone using a large eyeshadow brush.
Example Shades:
- Soft beige
- Ivory
- Light taupe
Eye Makeup
What is the Makeup for Your Eyes Called?
The makeup used specifically for your eyes includes various products designed to enhance and define the eye area. Here are the common types:
Eyeshadow:
- Purpose: Adds color, depth, and dimension to the eyelids.
- Forms: Available in powder, cream, and liquid forms.
Eyeliner:
- Purpose: Defines the eyes and makes the lash line appear fuller.
- Types: Pencil, gel, liquid, or felt-tip.
Mascara:
- Purpose: Enhances the eyelashes by adding length, volume, and curl.
Eyebrow Products:
- Purpose: Fills in and shapes the eyebrows to frame the face.
- Products: Brow pencils, powders, gels, and pomades.
Eye Primer:
- Purpose: Creates a smooth base for eyeshadow, enhances color payoff, and increases longevity.
False Eyelashes (Optional):
- Purpose: Adds dramatic length and volume to natural lashes.
How Should I Wear My Eye Makeup?
The way you wear your eye makeup depends on your personal style, the occasion, and your eye shape. Here are some general steps and tips to follow for a versatile, polished eye makeup look:
Start with a Clean Canvas:
- Ensure your eyelids are clean and free of any oils. Use a gentle cleanser or makeup remover if needed.
Apply Eye Primer:
- Use a small amount of eye primer to cover your eyelids and blend it in. This will help your eyeshadow stay in place and appear more vibrant.
Choose Your Eyeshadow Palette:
- Select a palette with at least three shades: a light shade for highlighting, a medium shade for the crease, and a dark shade for defining.
Apply a Base Shade:
- Use the lightest shade on your palette and apply it all over your eyelid up to the brow bone.
Add a Crease Shade:
- Apply a medium-toned shade into the crease of your eyelid using a fluffy blending brush. Blend back and forth in a windshield-wiper motion to add depth.
Define with a Darker Shade:
- Apply the darkest shade to the outer corner of your eye and blend it into the crease. This adds dimension and intensity.
Highlight the Brow Bone and Inner Corners:
- Use a shimmery or light shade to highlight the brow bone and the inner corners of your eyes to make them pop.
Apply Eyeliner:
- Use eyeliner to define your eyes. Apply along the upper lash line and, if desired, along the lower lash line. For a more subtle look, you can use a brown or gray eyeliner instead of black.
Curl Your Lashes:
- Use an eyelash curler to lift and curl your lashes before applying mascara.
Apply Mascara:
- Apply mascara from the roots to the tips of your eyelashes using a zigzag motion to avoid clumps. Apply to both upper and lower lashes.
Fill in Your Eyebrows:
- Use an eyebrow pencil, powder, or gel to fill in any sparse areas and shape your brows. Light, hair-like strokes will give a natural finish.
Optional: Apply False Eyelashes:
- If you want extra drama, apply false eyelashes. Make sure to trim them to fit your eye shape and use a good adhesive.
By following these steps, you can create a versatile and polished eye makeup look that suits any occasion.