How To Do Eye Makeup

Decide on the Right Look

Before eye makeup application begins, it’s imperative to discern the most appropriate eye look. Work, school, and special occasions all call for a variety of styles and all of them differ by degrees of intensity. Think; is this look appropriate for this occasion? Let this be the guiding force in the tools, and looks, that you choose.

Secondly, how much effort is needed to apply the look? If waking up a half an hour earlier is out of the question, then consider a more streamlined approach to application.

Those that enjoy and appreciate the art of applying eye makeup can take heart. With so many different eye looks available, from smokey eye looks to gothic drama, there are a ton of areas to experiment in!

Tools Needed

In tight times, frivolous spending is usually the first to go (and yes, cosmetics can sometimes be considered frivolous!), so what can be done? For those on a tight budget, purchase only items that are necessary, some of which include:

• A great pair of tweezers: Hear us out here. A terrific pair of tweezers (like one from Tweezerman), when kept properly, will last about ten years. From stray grays to stray brow hairs, tweezers certainly pay for themselves over time. Plus, no matter how tough things get, a brow that’s arched "just so," always looks polished!

• Eyeliner: Here, purchase one basic eyeliner to wear everyday and one for special occasions.

• Eye shadow: This is basically the same as above; wearable colors for day to day activities (like shades of bone and taupe), and darker shades for smokey looks.

• Mascara: There are many types of mascara out there on the market, some prices astronomically high. A word of advice? Don’t bother! Makeup artists in the know still include Maybelline’s Great Lash as one of their go-to favorites, so take a cue from them. Besides, the money saved here would be better off invested in a great eyelash curler.

• Brow Pencil: If young, skip this step. A bit older? Go ahead and purchase. These pencils allow the wearer to fill in uneven spaces and balance out the brow beautifully. A neat, full brow is a beautiful brow!

Order of Application

Many folks are confused about the order of application makeup should take. First, there aren’t a lot of hard and fast rules about makeup application; most people have their own style. That said, here’s the traditional setup:

• Primer: During the summer months where there could be excess perspiration, go ahead and use the primer. Note, however, that using powder is also acceptable.

• Base Eye Shadow: After the primer, or powder, it’s time for the application of the base eye shadow color.

• Eyeliner: Now it’s time to apply eyeliner.

• Contour Shadow: Follow up with the (if necessary/appropriate) contour eye shadow.

• Brows: Look at your brows; fill in where it’s appropriate.

• Mascara: Always applied last, finish up with a few coats of mascara.

How to Do Eye Makeup: Different Styles

Learning how to do eye makeup involves learning about the different eye makeup styles available. Let’s begin with eyeliner because it has the greatest amount of variation:

• Liquid Eyeliner: Few makeup products on earth have the capacity to send ordinarily lovely individuals to reel off a blue streak the way liquid eyeliner does. The trick with this product is to have the elbows steady and on a flat surface (if you love this look, invest in a vanity table). Draw the line quickly and authoritatively. A winged tip is optional, but looks oh so French!

• Top Only: For day-to-day activities, like work, lining just the top lid is sufficient. Depending on how it wears on the lid, the line can be thick.

• Top and Bottom: A personal favorite, nothing makes the eyes look sexier than lining the top and bottom of the eyelid. This style will covey a come-hither look and if created with a steady hand, looks polished.

• Fierce vs. Doe: The fierce look means that you line the very inside of the eye (where the bottom lashes are). This does tend to make the eyes look a bit smaller, but the upside is an intense, don’t mess-with-me attitude and look.

• • Doe eyes requires a line underneath the bottom lashes (the liner does not touch the bottom lashes). This will certainly make the eyes look larger. The downside is that the eyes may look a little too large, and slightly vacant.

Eye Shadow

Eye shadow can be equally confusing. Quads, trios, who knows where to put what where? Follow these steps:

• Base Shadow: Place over the entire lid and is usually the palest of the colors.

• Contour Color: This shade is applied in the crease and is markedly darker than the base.

• Highlighter Shade: Ideal for smokey looks, apply this shade directly under the brows (only), hence the term "highlight".

In Short

In short, the key thing to remember is to set your own rules. If you look best in eye shadow, do that. Spectacular in bold eyeliner? Then that’s the keeper. Eye makeup is there to enhance the eyes and to lend intensity to one’s face. Think of eye makeup in this way and you’ll be looking terrific in no time!