How to Apply Eye Makeup

From LoveToKnow Makeup

The eyes are the windows of the soul, so learn how to apply eye makeup to make the most of what you've got.

Types of Eye Makeup

Shadow

Eye shadow is the coloring that goes on your lids. You can use one to three colors in complimentary shades, depending on how dramatic an effect you want to create.

Shadows are available in:

  • Powders in compact cases.
  • Creams in stick or pencil form.
  • Paints in tube form that go on creamy but dry to a powdery texture.

Eye Liner

Eye liner is used to define the shape of your eyes by drawing a line just outside of your lashes, and is mainly available in two forms:

  • Liquid eye liner, which is applied with a thin brush. This type of liner requires a steady hand to apply without making a mistake.
  • Eye liner pencils, which are a bit easier to use, as you don't have to be quite as accurate. The best technique is to draw your lines and then smudge them just little with your fingertip or makeup brush for a softer, sultry look.

Tip: You can also use shadow in place of or in combination with your chosen liner. Try adding a very thin line of color just outside of your lower lashes and then draw your liner on. This can really enhance your look.

Mascara

Mascara is applied by brush directly to your eye lashes to make them look fuller and longer, additionally completing your eye makeup.

Mascara is available in two main forms:

  • Liquid mascara comes in a tube with its own brush in the cap. This is by far the most popular type of mascara, and is even available in a waterproof formula, so avoid looking like a raccoon even if you shed a few tears.
  • Powder cake mascara is still available, but it is far less effective than liquid mascara, and is definitely not waterproof.

Under Eye Concealer

Though technically more a part of your foundation, the concealer is used to lighten dark circles under the eyes before applying the rest of your makeup. Concealer looks like a tube of white or lighter flesh toned lipstick and is applied the same way, and then blended at the edges.

How to Apply Eye Makeup

Now that you know what to use, let's begin learning how to apply eye makeup to create brilliant, beautiful eyes.

Step One: Lids

Many eye shadows come in sets of three complimentary colors with three different values; light medium and dark. You can also choose from frosted or matte finish.

Begin by applying the lightest shade to the upper portion of your eyes, along the brow bone.

Next, use the medium shade to color your lids. Begin at the inner corner and stroke to the outer edge of the eye lid. Then use your fingertip to lightly blend the light and medium shades together where they meet near the crease.

Now it's time to use the darkest shade to add some contouring and depth. This technique will give you that smokey-eyed look. Beginning at the inner corner, follow the crease to the outer edge of your eyes. You can also add a little more of the darkest color to edge of the lids, just above the lashes. Then, once again, use your fingertip or brush to blend and soften the lines.

Step Two: Liner

Apply a thin line of liner along the base of your lashes on top and bottom. Here are a few tips to create different effects:

  • To make eyes appear more wide set, begin your line one quarter of the way out from the inner corners. The beginning should be very thin, and grow slightly wider toward the edge.
  • To make extremely wide set eyes appear closer, apply a slight amount of the darkest shade of shadow just near the inner corners of each lid and begin your liner right at the inner edges of your lash line.

Step Three: Mascara

Mascara looks best when it is just applied to the tips of your lashes. Repeated light brush strokes should separate the lashes and build a nice coating that darkens and extends the length of your lashes. Take great care not to leave clumps of mascara on your lashes. The idea is to make them look as natural as possible.

About Asian Eyes

Asian eyes have a different lid structure from most other eye types, and require a different technique to make them look their best. Since there is very little lid area, use a deeper shade of shadow for the entire main lid, and draw your liner as close to the lash line as possible. Instead of using a very light shade of shadow on the brow line, choose a more natural shade of coral. Apply it lightly and blend it well. Finish with mascara.

Don't Over Do It

Daytime eye makeup should be lighter and more natural looking, and it's okay to increase color and lining for evening looks. However, there is a point where too much is just too much. Need a guideline? Just look at Tammy Faye Baker or Mimi from the Drew Carey Show, and don't let it happen to you.

Conclusion

Practice how to apply eye makeup at home until you find the look that best brings out your natural beauty. Then you'll be ready to look the world straight in the eye.


 


Comments

Hi Shatha,

Please try these pictures; they may help:

Thank you for the question!

-- Contributed by: Jacqueline Dautaj

i want to know how i can make a bigger eays with picture

-- Contributed by: shatha

Hi Sana,

Please see our How to Apply Eye Shadow article. It should walk you through all the steps. If you still have more questions, please feel free to write us back, and we'll try to help!

-- Contributed by: Jacqueline Dautaj
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