How to Apply Eye Makeup

Selecting the right eye makeup and applying it correctly isn't as daunting as it sounds. It can actually be a relatively quick and simple process.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Mascara
• Eye liner
• Makeup brushes or sponge applicators
• Eye shadow or shadows

1. Settle on what you would like your eye makeup to look like and plan accordingly. Select darker shadows for night, lighter shades for the daytime hours, or choose one or two neutral shades to go from day into night.

2. Select the tools you will use to apply your eye shadow, mascara, eye liner or all three. There are several tools that are commonly used to apply eye makeup, including brushes, your fingers and a sponge applicator.

3. Pick the hues of shadow, mascara and eyeliner. It's important to compliment them with your hair, skin-tone, clothes you will be wearing and time of day.

4. Apply a base to your eyelid. This can be cream or powder foundation, makeup primer, a light eye shadow or any combination of the three. Applying a foundation before putting on eye shadow helps to hold the look longer.

5. Brush on one to three colors of shadow that combine well. The lightest color should be allover and can extend to the eyebrow. The darkest color belongs in the crease in the middle of the lid, and the medium color extends from lashes to the crease. For a more dramatic or sultry look, you can extend the darkest color along the crease line past the end of the brow.

6. Apply eyeliner. When using liquid be sure to let it dry before putting on mascara. You can use eyeliner on the bottom, top, or both top and bottom for a more dramatic look.

7. Coat your lashes with mascara. If you desire to enhance the look of your lashes, there are many mascara products that will lengthen, curl or volumize. Use more than one coat if the first application does not get the look you desire. You can also use two different types of mascara to get the desired look.

Tips & Warnings

• As with any makeup products, choose colors that you've been complimented on before, work well with your skin-tone, or enhance the color of your eyes.
• Ask someone if you are unsure of what type or brand of eye makeup you should use, or how to apply it. Visit a salon, talk to a friend, or consult the makeup specialists at a department store.
• You don't need to use all the types of eye makeup products to create a look you desire. You can use shadow only, eyeliner only, or mascara only depending on how much time you have and where you are heading. Eyeliner and mascara together without shadow can still make the eyes pop.
• Don't overdo it. Less is more when you are in doubt.
• Don't be afraid to start over if it doesn't look right.

Who Can Help:

• Are you tired of cakey makeup? Try RawMinerals Free.

[3-Point]

on 6/12/2008 Good advice. I use eyeshadow regularly and like to use the layer approach using a combo of 2-3 colors that compliment what I'm wearing. If you wear eyeglasses, you may want to put on the eyeshadow a little heavier than normal so that you get the color effect you want once you've put on the specs.

[desolator144]

on 6/11/2008 I gotta add that people shouldn't use too much mascara. As a guy, let me just tell you that I saw a commercial for some 3x volume mascara and the model wearing it was pretty scary looking with giant super-lashes.

[smilesatme1]

on 6/11/2008 Great article! Let's try to apply these information! Thanks!

[amylaine]

on 6/11/2008 Great pointers on applying eye makeup. Like the detail in getting started. Thats were my problem always arose.

[mchapman]

on 6/11/2008 very clearly written, although the picutures are not there the steps are easy to follow.