How to Apply Eye Makeup . . . the Right Way

Is your eye makeup enhancing or detracting from your eyes?

Makeup is used to enhance the skin's appearance, emphasize certain facial features and cover flaws. Eye makeup is specifically designed to highlight and enhance the eyes, which are many women's best facial feature. Knowing how to select and apply eye makeup is essential if you want to draw positive attention to you eyes.

Things You'll Need

• Foundation primer
• Loose translucent powder
• 3 Shades of eye makeup (light, medium and dark)
• Large soft-bristled eye-shadow brush
• Small firm-bristled eye-shadow brush
• Eyeliner pencil
• Mascara

Instructions

1. Prime your eyes for makeup application. Apply a light layer of makeup primer, followed by a dusting of translucent loose powder. This will help your eye makeup last longer.

2. Select three shades of eye shadow. You'll need a light, medium and dark shade; make sure the colors complement one another.

3. Apply the lightest shade first. Use the large soft-bristled eye-shadow brush to apply the shadow just under your brow line, from the inside of your eye outward.

4. Sweep along the crease of your eyelid with the medium hue using the small firm-bristled brush. Outline the crease of your eyelid.

5. Apply the dark tone above your eyelashes on your upper lid using the small firm-bristled brush. Cover the section up to the crease, where it will "meet" the medium shade.

6. Add definition to your eyes by outlining them with an eyeliner pencil. Follow the lash line with the liner pencil (which should be sharpened to a point) on both the top and bottom lids.

7. Place a mascara wand at the base of your lashes and gently sweep side to side as you move outward. The wand will catch your lashes, coating them softly with mascara.

Tips & Warnings

• Blend the shades smoothly where they meet so that a definite line between the hues is not visible. Darker colors of eyeshadow will make your eyes look more deep set, while lighter shades will make them more prominent.

References

• SmartBeauty&MakeupTips.com: Eye Makeup Tips
• Easy Make-up Tips; How to Apply Eye Shadow; May 2011
• Makeup Sense: Eye Shadow Application