How to Apply Colors of Eye Shadow Properly

Flawless eyeshadow application

While there are unlimited ways of applying eyeshadow to come up with a stunning and creative end result, there are a few methods to keep in mind whether you aim to create a simple look or a more intricate one. Don't wait for a special occasion to begin experimenting with eyeshadow. Whether you are a novice or a long-time makeup wearer, with regular practice of these techniques you will see that your eyeshadow application yields colors that are bright and seemingly more pigmented as opposed to murky and dull.

Things You'll Need

• Undereye concealer
• Translucent powder
• Eye makeup primer
• Eyeshadow base
• Eyeshadows in the texture best suited to your skin type
• Fluffy eyeshadow brush
• Brow color
• Eyeliner
• Eyelash curler
• Mascara

Instructions

1. Begin your eye makeup application always with clean skin. Yesterday's makeup and excess oils do not serve as a favorable base for eyeshadow. Reserve rich eye creams for when you remove your makeup at night, as these also do not go well with eyeshadow and can cause your colors to crease and smudge.

2. Keep dark circles under the eyes from detracting attention away from any attractive eyeshadow colors you will be applying. Pat a creamy undereye concealer onto the area. After all demarcation lines have been blended away, set concealer with a translucent powder.

3. Create a smooth blank canvas for your eyeshadow by applying an eye makeup primer from lash line to browbone, followed by an eyeshadow base over entire lid as well. Primer helps your eyeshadow to resist creasing and fading throughout the day, while base makes your eyeshadows pop.

4. Choose whether to wear one shade of eyeshadow from lash line to crease, or a combination of light, medium and dark eyeshadows in one look in order to enhance the shape of your eyes through contouring. In any case, make sure the eyeshadow textures you use are compatible with your skin type. Oily skin does best with powder or liquid-to-powder formulations, but causes creme-based colors to crease; dry skin on the other hand can handle creme eyeshadows, but may appear even drier with chalky powder ones.

5. Use a fluffy eyeshadow brush to blend any hard edges in your eyeshadow so that there are no definite lines that tell where one color ends and another begins. Not blending is one of the most common mistakes women make when applying eyeshadow colors, leading to an application that looks far from professional.

6. Anchor your eyeshadow colors by adding definition to the other parts of the eye area. Fill in your brows, line your eyes, curl your lashes and apply mascara. These particular steps prevent your eye makeup from appearing unstructured; neglecting to do these leaves your eye makeup looking somewhat unfinished no matter how expertly your eyeshadow has been applied.

Tips & Warnings

• You can use a creamy concealer or nude eyeshadow as base instead of purchasing a separate product. While an eyeshadow applicator can be used to lay down and blend eyeshadow, learn how to use a variety of eyeshadow brushes for a more textured and professional look.

Resources

• Adding contour to eye makeup
• Creating multiple effects with one eyeshadow
• Eye makeup tips and information