Eye Makeup Designs

If you're into makeup as an art at all, you know the keys to eye makeup designs are creativity and innovation. You may find yourself reaching for index cards to make sharp lines, fishnet pantyhose for textured effects—who knows? And don't forget about the virtues of learning how to apply your daily eye makeup in a flattering, natural way.

Look ravishing!

The most traditional eye makeup designs hinge themselves upon emphasizing facial features rather than adding crazy pops of color that yell, "Look at me—I'm wearing makeup!" They can use anywhere from two to four colors on average, maybe a bit of eyeliner, and usually some kind of mascara. Some people prefer to go for the most natural look possible (try Maybelline's Great Lash), while others allow themselves this one frivolity in their day or night face, building their lashes up to look nearly false (try L'Oreal Voluminous).

Just because you're going for a "natural" look here doesn't mean you need to stock up on beiges and taupes only. You can, of course, as these shades are universally flattering. To successfully play up your eyes, though, you can use toned down versions of other colors. Go to the color directly across from your eye color on the color wheel; that's the color family best suited for making your eyes pop. Blue eyes look bluer and exotic in bronzes, golds, oranges, and rusts. Green and hazel eyes look stunning in purples and pinks. Brown eyes can wear just about any color and look amazing, but they seem to pull off blues better than the rest of us.

Depending on your level of experience and willingness to play around with color and shape, you can choose a single eye shadow color, or choose a four-shadow palette. L'Oreal makes lovely quads (Wear Infinite) you can pick up at any drugstore for a reasonable price. They're great for beginners because they contain the perfect amount of pigment to accent your eyes without scaring you off with special effect levels of intensity, plus they're cheap so you won't feel guilty for putting them on and washing them off right away, only to try again.

Here's how to apply an everyday eye makeup design if you're using four colors:

• From lashline to brow, apply the lightest color. This acts as a wash and a highlighter.

• From your lashline to your crease, put on the next-to-lightest color.

• In the crease, you'll put the next-to-darkest shade.

• On the outer corner (partially in your crease, partially on your top lashline, in a "vee" shape), you'll apply the darkest shade. Don't extend too far out with this, but you can go slightly outside of your lid to enhance your eye shape. If you're feeling brave, take a brush with a firm tip or a sponge-tipped applicator and apply the darkest color under your bottom lashes.

• Next comes liner. Choose one in a coordinating shade ( Almay has a whole collection of shadow/liner/mascara combinations for different eye colors), or just go with black, black-brown, or brown to be on the safe side. Pencils are easier to work with than liquids for beginners. Gel liners also work well and give the precision of a liquid liner without the mess. Try MAC Fluidlines if you're interested in working with one. With your non-dominant hand, tug lightly on the outer edge of your lid, making it taut and allowing yourself to draw a straight line right where your lashes meet your lid.

• Curl your lashes. Maybelline makes a good, cheap lash curler, though many girls swear by Shu Uemura's.

• Apply mascara. For extra drama, apply your mascara on the tops of top lashes, then go from underneath, one or two coats. Wiggle the wand from side to side to coat the bases of lashes, then pull the brush up and through the lashes. Don't forget your bottom lashes, either. If they look clumpy, you'll want to use an eyelash comb.

Voila—you're done with your eye makeup design!

Note: If using just one color of shadow, apply from lashline to crease or to just above the crease (for deep-set eyes) only. If using two colors, do a wash from lashline to brow, plus a deeper color in the crease. If you're using a trio, opt for a wash, a crease color, and an even darker color for the outer corner and possibly liner.

Since this is where the serious creativity comes in, we can't really give you a "how-to" lesson—it'll be different every time! We can, however, point you in the right direction to get some serious inspiration!

Color Selection Sometimes you can get inspired just by looking at colors available and mix and match from there. Some of the best color selections can't be found in drugstores. Try lines like Make Up For Ever, Ben Nye, and MAC (regular and pro MAC lines have out of this world colors).

Books: Kevyn Aucoin is a legend in makeup art. Before his untimely death, he put out a few books with beautiful pictures, incredibly helpful tips for all levels of makeup art, and an incredible amount of showcased talent. Check on Amazon.com for a full list of his books. Another great one that incorporates bright colors and neutral looks is Makeup Your Mind by Francois Nars.

Nature and art are two good places to get inspiration for colors, shapes, and even masks. Take your favorite flower and really dissect the color placement. It can be replicated on your eyes! Makeup art in magazines is a wonderful way to practice your technique. Pick out what you like and try to copy it. With practice will come skill and even more creativity.

Websites: One of the best ways to learn your way around a vanity is to have others critique your work, whether you're just wearing makeup to emphasize your features or you're hoping to break into doing art for magazines or fashion shows. LiveJournal has a few communities like MAC Cosmetics, Smokin' Makeup, and Eye Shadow Sluts. There are also Specktra and Makeup Alley for reviews, recommendations, and chats. Some of the girls and guys on these sites are professionals and do makeup for film and print. Some work at cosmetics counters. Others are just incredibly talented. Some are beginners looking for color recommendations, tips, and constructive criticism.

• A good makeup brush set. They don't have to be expensive or even from the top makeup lines out there. They do need to be soft enough not to hurt and sturdy enough not to shed all over your face, though. Check out Sonia Kashuk's line at Target for affordable choices.

• Good quality eye shadow. Again, it doesn't have to be Dior or even Lancome, but chalky shadows won't do anything but frustrate you (and look bad no matter what kind of skills you develop!). For cheap alternatives, try Milani, Rimmel, and Wet 'n' Wild products (all drugstore brands). Jordana has a nice selection of colored liners you can get for about $1.50 each.

• Time and patience. By slapping on the same old stuff every day and never branching out in colors or shapes, you'll never learn anything. Do some research in those books and websites listed above and set aside some time to play.

Now it's time to dive into the world of color! Get those brushes out—it's time to create a masterpiece.

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