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Applying eye makeup may seem challenging, but you don’t need to be a makeup artist to create stunning eye looks. With the right tools and a bit of practice, you’ll quickly master the art of blending eyeshadow and applying eyeliner with precision.
Steps
Preparation
Select your eyeshadow shades. The market is flooded with countless eyeshadow products, making it tough to choose the right brand, color, or formulation. However, this abundance also means you have endless options to experiment with until you find the perfect palette. Eyeshadows come in every imaginable hue and a variety of textures: pressed powder, loose powder, and cream.
- Loose powder eyeshadows often provide the most vibrant color payoff, but they can be tricky to apply due to their powdery nature. Cream eyeshadows are easier to use but may crease on the eyelid. If you’re new to eye makeup, pressed powder is your best bet. You can also explore techniques to make your eyeshadow more compact.
- While you don’t need dozens of shades like a professional makeup artist, having at least three colors in the same tone is essential. Many eye makeup techniques require a dark, medium, and light shade of the same color.
- If you’re a beginner and worried about overdoing it, opt for neutral tones like browns and grays. However, don’t shy away from experimenting with bolder colors that match your style or preferences.
Daniel Vann
Beauty Expert
Beauty Expert
Experiment with eyeshadow shades that have red undertones to complement your eyelids. Daniel Vann, Creative Director of Daredevil Cosmetics, explains: "Everyone’s eyelids have a reddish hue. If you have fair skin, your eyelids may appear pink or orange, while darker skin tones tend to have deep plum undertones. Using at least one red-based shade on your eyes makes blending easier, as it naturally harmonizes with your eyelid color. For instance, I love pairing gold and metallic yellow with brick red, smoky purple, and chocolate brown, all of which have red undertones."
Choose the right makeup brushes. While you can apply eyeshadow with your fingers, the oils from your hands can make the application uneven. Invest in a few high-quality brushes—they’re worth it if you plan to wear makeup regularly. Also, keep in mind that sponge brushes aren’t ideal for eye makeup, as they don’t distribute color evenly.
- Use a flat brush to apply eyeshadow across the entire lid. This type of brush picks up product effectively and ensures smooth application.
- A dome brush is perfect for blending eyeshadow into the crease. You’ll also need this brush to diffuse color from the lash line to the brow bone.
- For precise application along the lash line, use a pencil brush. Its small, tapered shape works well for both upper and lower lash lines, as well as tricky areas like the inner corners.
Master the application technique. One of the most crucial aspects of applying eyeshadow is how you use your brushes. Rushing or using the wrong brush can result in uneven and unflattering makeup.
- When applying eyeshadow, blend it across the lid rather than swiping it on. This technique helps the shadow stay in place and appear smoother.
- Instead of quickly swiping back and forth, gently pat the shadow in one direction using short strokes for even distribution.
- Unless you’re using a highlighter, avoid applying eyeshadow up to your eyebrows to prevent an overly dramatic or unnatural look.
Apply your face makeup as usual. Eye makeup should be the final step in your routine. Start with foundation, concealer, blush, or bronzer, and fill in your eyebrows before moving on to your eyes.
- Use an eyeshadow primer to prevent your eye makeup from smudging. Natural oils from your skin can seep through the shadow, causing it to crease and fade without a primer.
- Avoid applying mascara before eyeshadow. Even if you’re going for a dramatic smoky eye, always apply eyeshadow before eyeliner.
Fan-shaped Eye Makeup
Apply the lightest shade. This is typically a nude tone, as it helps brighten and highlight your eyes. Use a flat brush to apply this shade to the inner corners of your eyes, blending it up and down along the upper and lower lash lines. Add a soft sweep below the eyebrows for a subtle highlight.
Apply the medium shade. Choose a color that is one tone darker than your lightest shade and use a blending brush to sweep it across the entire eyelid, from the lash line to the crease. Be careful not to extend it beyond the crease or outside the eyelid area.
Define the eyelid with the darkest shade. Using a dome brush, apply the shadow in a crescent shape from the outer corner of the eye to the midpoint of the crease. The color should be most intense at the lash line and gradually fade upward. You can also blend diagonally toward the brow for a lifted effect.
Blend the eyeshadow. Clean your dome brush with an antibacterial brush cleaner or soap and water, then dry it with a clean cloth. Use the brush to softly blend the eyeshadow across the lid, ensuring the colors transition smoothly. Pay extra attention to the outer corners to create a seamless gradient with your skin tone.
Round-shaped Eye Makeup
Apply the medium shade across the entire eyelid. Use a flat brush to sweep a medium-toned color over the lid, focusing particularly on the center. This style of makeup relies more on medium and dark shades, but you can incorporate lighter tones if desired.
Define the eyelid with the darkest shade. Using a dome brush, apply the darkest color to the inner and outer thirds of the eyelid, creating a gradient effect from dark to medium to dark. Avoid over-applying on the lid and inner corner, as this can make your eyes look tired or bruised. You can also extend the shadow diagonally toward the brow for a lifted effect, similar to eyeliner.
Blend the eyeshadow. Clean your dome brush with brush cleaner or soap and water, then dry it with a cloth. Gently blend the shadow to ensure the darkest shade doesn’t bleed into the center of the lid, which could ruin the lighter tones. Pay extra attention to blending the outer corners for a seamless transition with your skin tone.
Banana-shaped Eye Makeup
Apply the medium shade across the entire eyelid. Create a base layer by using a flat brush to sweep eyeshadow over the entire lid. If desired, you can add a touch of highlighter to the inner corners or below the brows to brighten your face.
Add depth to the crease. Apply the darkest shade to the crease and blend it back and forth with a pencil brush to create a deeper, more defined look. Avoid over-application, as this line should remain thin and subtle. You can focus the shadow solely on the crease or extend it across the entire lid.
Blend the eyeshadow. Clean your pencil brush with antibacterial brush cleaner or soap and water, then dry it with a cloth. To intensify the crease, gently blend the outer corners and the outer portion of the lid. Be careful not to over-blend, as you don’t want to smudge the highlighted areas.
Smoky Eye
Apply highlighter. Use a flat brush to apply highlighter to the inner corners of the eyes and just below the brows to make your eyes appear larger and more radiant.
Apply a neutral shade. Use a flat brush to sweep the color across the entire eyelid, working from the lash line up to the crease. Be careful not to over-apply, as this could interfere with the highlighted areas.
Create a smoky effect. Using a dome brush, apply the darkest shade along the upper lash line, blending it upward so it covers about one-third of the lid. Then, use a pencil brush to add a thin, defined line of the dark shade along the upper lash line.
Move to the lower lash line. Use a pencil brush to apply a small amount of the dark shade to the lower lash line. Start from the outer corner and work inward, gradually lightening the application as you go.
Blend the eyeshadow. Use a clean dome brush to blend the colors. Spend a few minutes softening the transition between the darkest and medium shades for a smooth, even finish. Avoid touching the eyeliner to prevent smudging.
Complete the look!
Tips
- Always apply the lightest shade first before moving on to darker colors.
- Clean your makeup brushes after each use to avoid mixing colors on your eyeshadow palette.
- To prevent fallout on your cheeks or smudging, pick up just enough eyeshadow on your brush.
- Ensure you’re using the right brush. Even budget-friendly eyeshadows can look stunning if applied with the correct tools and techniques.
- Avoid applying too much product at once. If the color isn’t as intense as you’d like, simply layer more instead of removing and starting over.
- For powder eyeshadows, dampen your brush with water or a mixing medium to make the color more vibrant and pigmented.
- Use a damp cotton pad to fix mistakes instead of your fingers. Dip it in makeup remover and gently clean up any errors for a polished look.
- Always apply foundation and face makeup before eye makeup to prevent smudging or mixing with your base.
- Instead of working on one eye at a time, apply each shade to both eyes in sequence—lightest first, then medium, and finally the darkest. This saves time and reduces the need to clean brushes repeatedly.
- Layering cream eyeshadow under powder can make the color pop, but be cautious as it may look cakey if not blended properly.
Warnings
- If you wear contact lenses, opt for makeup products that are safe for use with contacts.
