1.Start with a Smooth Canvas
Just like an artist starts any painting with a clean, smooth canvas, you need to do the same for your eyes, so before diving into eye shadow application, you need to make sure that your eyelids are make-up ready. Use an eye primer to create a base that evens out the skin tone and provides a crease-free surface for your eyeshadow.
You can apply your foundation to the eye area or even use a loose powder, but I recommend investing in a specialised “eye primer”, such as Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion, as it gives a nice even palette to work with.
2.Invest in Quality Tools
The right tools can make all the difference. Invest in a set of quality eyeshadow brushes, including a blending brush, a flat shader brush, and a precision brush. These tools will help you achieve precise application and seamless blending.
You should also make sure to apply your make-up in a comfortable and calming space with good-quality lighting.
3.Choose the Right Colors for Your Eye Shape
Different eye shapes benefit from different colors, so you should tailor your eyeshadow application to enhance your unique eye shape. Here are a few basic tips to get you started.
- If you want your Eyes to appear Larger, use a light colour on the inner corner, and a darker shade in the middle of the eye area.
- To Make Eyes Look Longer, apply a darker shade to the outer corners and extend it slightly outward. Extend your eyeliner slightly upward and outward to elongate the eyes. Use a light, shimmery shade on the inner corners to create a brightening effect.
- If you want your Eyes to appear Wider, apply a light, neutral shade across the entire lid to open up the eyes, Use a darker shade on the outer corners, angling it slightly upward and extend your eyeliner from the outer corners to create a subtle cat-eye that widens the eyes.
- To Make Eyes Look Brighter, use a light, shimmering shade on the lid and inner corners to add brightness, Apply a white or nude eyeliner on the waterline to make eyes appear larger and more awake.
- If you want your Eyes to look Younger, apply a lighter shadow in the inner corner of the eye to reflect and make your eyes look younger. (which also makes them look larger, as noted above).
- If you have hooded eyes, apply a light shimmer color on the eyes and a transition shade slightly above the natural crease to create the illusion of more defined eyes and use matte eyeshadows to add depth to the crease, focusing on the outer corners.
- If you have Round Eyes, apply a deeper shade in the crease to add dimension and elongate the eyes and steer clear of dark eyeshadows all over the lid, as they can accentuate roundness.
4.Consider Your Eye Color
Tailor your eyeshadow choices to complement your eye color. Earthy tones like browns and greens can enhance blue eyes, while warm shades like coppers and oranges can make brown eyes pop.
- Blue Eyes: Using tones like caramel, copper, gold, peach, and even brown will really help make blue eyes pop.
- Green Eyes: As red is the opposite side of the color wheel from green, any eyeshadow palette with red hues, like maroon, coral-orange, or pinkish-red, will accentuate green eyes. You can also wear purple, plum, rose gold, forest green, brown, and copper
- Brown Eyes: Most shades look great with brown eyes. But warm shades such as copper, bronze, gold, champagne are especially flattering.
- Everyone can wear navy, powder blue, and charcoal.
You should look out for colour palettes, such as the Dior 5 Colour Palette as shown below, and pick the color combination that flatters your eye color.
5.Experiment with Different Textures
Don’t shy away from experimenting with different eyeshadow textures. Matte shades work well in the crease for depth, while shimmer and metallic shades add a glamorous touch to the lid.
To make your eyes truly sparkle, add a touch of shimmer or a light, metallic shade to the center of your eyelids. This technique catches the light and enhances the dimension of your eyeshadow.
6.Layer and Build Colors Gradually
Instead of applying a heavy layer of eyeshadow at once, build the color gradually. Layering allows you to control the intensity of the pigment and ensures a more polished and controlled result.
7.Blend Blend, blend and then blend some more.
Blending is the secret sauce to a flawless eyeshadow look. If you don’t believe me, try this simple experiment. Blend one eye and then just use a brush and apply the other eye. You’ll instantly see what I’m talking about!
Of course, don’t forget to blend the other eye afterwards!
8.Use Concealer to Clean and Define
Sharpen your eyeshadow look by using concealer to define the edges.
Apply concealer under the eyes in a triangular shape to brighten, and use it to clean up any eyeshadow fallout for a crisp, polished finish.
9.Highlight along the brow bone
The main goal of highlighting the brow is to define your eye area, lift the appearance of the eye and to give the brow an instant lift, and the best way to do this is to apply a smudge of highlighter directly under the brow bone. My favorite is the Anastasia highlighting duo pencil, and I also like to apply a little clear brow gel to keep my brows neat and tidy.
To amplify the effect and create a spark, place a dab of highlighter in the corner of the eyes, in addition to beneath the brow bone.
10.To get a more dramatic look
If you want dramatic eyes, take your eye shadow brush, dip it in water, then into the shadow, then apply. It will give you a much deeper, dramatic colour. If you want to intensify the color, pick up the eyeshadow on a small synthetic brush, then mist it with a water mist like the MAC Prep + Prime Fix + Water Mist, before applying it to the eye. Not only does this deepen the pigment, but it also helps set the eyeshadow.
To get a smokey eye : The way to get the most attractive smoky eyes is to add warmth. So, even if your aim is a black smoky eye, mix in a little warm, dark brown to give extra dimension. Start by lining underneath the eyes with a black pencil, and then using a small shadow brush apply a little warm, brown shadow over the pencil. Then blend the two together, to create a warm, rich effect.
Smoky eye makeup doesn’t have to be black, so try experimenting with other rich, dark colours, such as dark olive, charcoal grey or deep plum.
11.Set with a Finishing Spray
Finish with a setting spray to ensure your eyeshadow stays in place throughout the day.
The multi-tasking MAC Prep + Prime Fix + Water Mist is not only good for prepping and hydrating the skin but is also the perfect product for fixing make-up and keeping your makeup looking fresh for
up to 12 hours.
12.Practice makes perfect
Practice until the application of your eye shadow becomes as natural as getting dressed! When you get good, your makeup will look more natural and more polished.
Final Thoughts on twelve tips for perfectly applied eye shadow
Perfectly applied eyeshadow is a form of artistry that allows you to express your style and enhance your natural beauty. With these top twelve tips, you can master the techniques that will elevate your eye makeup game.
Remember, practice makes perfect, so don’t be afraid to experiment with different looks and find what works best for you. Whether you’re going for a subtle everyday look or a bold, dramatic eye, these tips will guide you towards eyes that mesmerize and leave a lasting impression.
