How to Apply Brown Eye Shadow

If you think that brown eyeshadow is useful mostly as a crease color, but not as much else, you may be accustomed to wearing eye makeup in colors bolder than brown. While brown's earthy quality makes it a very wearable color for those who prefer to stay out of the limelight, brown eyeshadow need not be boring or dull. Outlined here are tips and techniques you can experiment with for brown eyeshadow that will flatter you whether your sense of style is natural or dramatic.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Eye primer
• Eyeshadow base
• Small, stiff-angled brush or small eyeshadow brush with a flat head
• Fluffy eyeshadow brush
• Creamy black eyeliner
• Cotton swab or eyeshadow smudge brush
• Sheer highlighter

1. Look for a brown eyeshadow in the exact tone and finish you want to wear. If you wish to wear light reflective eye makeup for example, choose a frosty, shimmery or metallic brown eyeshadow. To keep your eyeshadow from looking too plain or neutral, find one containing hints of another shade--there are even brown eyeshadows with specks of glitter. Use a highly pigmented brown eyeshadow for color that is vibrant and rich.

2. Get clean eyelids ready for brown eyeshadow by smoothing eye primer on from lash line to browbone. When the primer has absorbed into your skin, apply an eyeshadow base, from lash line to browbone as well. Primer and base help eyeshadow last longer, resist creasing, and maintain its vivid appearance throughout the day.

3. Rim your eyes with the brown eyeshadow. Use a small, stiff-angled brush for a finer application, or a small eyeshadow brush with a flat head for a somewhat heavier effect. Apply the brown eyeshadow all the way to the crease on your upper eyelid if you want a more dramatic look. To intensify the color of the eyeshadow, dip your brush in a drop of water before swirling it in the eyeshadow. Whatever you opt for, buff away the hard edges in the brown eyeshadow with a fluffy eyeshadow brush. This creates a gradient smoky effect.

4. Bring out the shape of your eyes by working a creamy black eyeliner into the base of your lash lines. You aren't drawing a line on so much as making your lashes seem thicker. Apply the eyeliner to your top lash lines only, or smudge some also into your lower lash lines if you want more drama. Begin at the outer corners of your bottom lash lines, stopping about midway before you reach the inner corners in order to avoid making your eyes appear smaller. Soften any jagged edges in your eyeliner application with a cotton swab or eyeshadow smudge brush.

5. Finish your brown eyeshadow application by dabbing a sheer highlighter on your browbones and on the inner corners of your eyes, by the bridge of your nose. Blend thoroughly for a seamless finish. This adds polish, texture and dimension to your eye makeup, without detracting attention from the intense brown you have on your eyes.

Tips & Warnings

• Substitute a different color--like darkest brown, or a shade that complements brown, such as purple--in place of the black eyeliner in Step 4 if you want a more colorful look.

Resources

• Videos on brown eyeshadow application