How to Apply Eye Makeup for Green Eyes

Green eyes that stand out

If you have attempted to enhance your green eyes with makeup only to feel that you went overboard on product application, you may have simply chosen the wrong eyeshadow color. While there are no hard and fast rules about the shades of makeup that should be used on green eyes, there are colors that complement green better than others. Experiment with the tips and techniques given here to discover firsthand which ones personally work to make your green eyes appear even more stunning, whether you were born with them or wear colored contact lenses.

Difficulty:

Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Tweezers and mini scissors
• Brow color
• Eye primer
• Eyeshadow base
• Lavender, violet, purple or plum eyeshadow
• Fluffy eyeshadow brush
• Eyeshadow crease brush
• Highlight eyeshadow
• Creamy eyeliner
• Eyelash curler
• Mascara

1. Use a tweezer to remove any stray hairs outside of your brow line as well as over the bridge of your nose. Trim the hairs that extend past the brow line. Keep in mind that well-groomed eyebrows will attractively frame your green eyes and draw attention to them. Eliminate any sparseness in your brows by filling them in with a brow pencil or powder applied with a small stiff angled brush. Use soft, short strokes to mimic the appearance of brow hairs.

2. Get the clean lids ready for makeup by applying eye primer from the lash line to the brow bone. After the primer absorbs, lay down an eyeshadow base, from the lash line to the brow bone as well. Base and primer help your eye makeup last longer and appear more vivid against your skin and green eyes.

3. Invest in the eyeshadow colors that best flatter your eyes based on the shade of green. A purple or plummy eyeshadow with a touch of brown or bronze draws attention to the blue in green eyes, while a lavender or violet eyeshadow with a hint of red or pink brings out the yellow-gold tint in green eyes. Look for eyeshadow with a highly pigmented formula for color that pops.

4. Rim your green eyes with a mid tone version of the violet, purple or plum eyeshadow of your choice, making sure that no skin is peeking in between the eyeshadow and your lashes. You have the option of applying the color around your lashes and stopping there, or you can use a heavier hand in your application for more drama. In any case, buff away any harsh edges in your eyeshadow with a fluffy eyeshadow brush.

5. Add texture and depth to your eye makeup by blending a deeper version of your eyeshadow in Step 4 on the outer corner of your upper eyelid or on your crease using an eyeshadow crease brush (see Resources for more detailed application tips). Dab and blend a highlight eyeshadow on your brow bones and on the inner corners of your eyes. This will pull the light towards your green eyes.

6. Bring out the shape of your eyes by working a creamy eyeliner into the base of your lash lines. Use a neutral shade like black, gray or brown in order to avoid detracting attention from your enhanced green eyes. You aren't drawing a line on your eyes, but making your lashes appear thicker. You may apply the eyeliner to just your upper lash lines, or to your bottom ones as well if you want a more defined look.

7. Finish by curling your eyelashes and applying a mascara that matches the color of your eyeliner. Dislodge any clumps with your mascara wand before putting it away.

Tips & Warnings

• If there is any purple eyeshadow fallout under your green eyes, brush it away with a swift flick of your wrist using a mid size fluffy face brush. Pat under eye concealer on to brighten up the area. Blend away any hard lines in your concealer application for a seamless finish. Dust translucent powder over the concealer to set it in place.

Resources

• Videos on makeup application for green eyes
• eHow article about adding contour to eye makeup