How to Apply Eye Shadow
From LoveToKnow Makeup
Learning how to apply eye shadow is not difficult. However, in order to achieve a natural look, correct technique is important. One of the first lessons learned in modeling school is to draw attention to your natural beauty, not your brightly colored makeup. By following a few simple steps you can master this lesson yourself.
Basic Steps to Apply Eye Shadow
- Prime your eye lids with a loose translucent powder.
- With an eye shadow brush or sponge applicator, sweep a light color from your brow to your lashes.
- Use a medium tone from your lashes to the crease of your eye lid.
- Contour your eyes by using a darker tone in the crease of your eye lid. A smaller brush works best for this step.
- Using a small, flat angled brush you can line your eye with the same dark color that you used in the crease of your eye. Add drama to your eyes by using a wet brush for this step.
- Blend the colors together with a brush. Never use your fingers or you can wipe the color right off your lid.
Those are the basic steps. Now let's look at how you can get creative.
How to Apply Eye Shadow to Create a Balanced Look
Studies have shown that people find beauty in a balanced, symmetrical face. Creating the illusion of symmetrical eyes is easy. Use the chart below for tricks that you can use.
| If your eyes are… | Then try… |
| Too close together | A light color on the inside corner of your eye lid and a medium to dark color from the center to the outer part of your eye |
| Too far apart | A medium shade on the inner half of the lid blending it out toward a lighter color; then line your eyes with the medium color following Step 5 above |
| Small | Lighter shades since darker shades minimize your eyes |
| Droopy | Applying shadow to the outer corner of your eye, then extend the shadow up and out (think Cleopatra) for an uplifted look |
| Too deep | Sweeping a light to medium color on your lid and a slightly darker color slightly above the crease of your eye, highlight your brow with a light color |
Finish your look by applying mascara and eyeliner if desired.
Pick the Right Eye Shadow
Eye Shadows come in cream, powder or pencil. Which to use is really a matter of preference but for mature skin powder usually looks best. You can select either a matte or frost eye shadow. Matte eye shadows have a flat finish and absorb light. Frost eye shadows reflect the light and may look sparkly or shiny. Here are a few extra tips to get a professional look.
- Matte eye shadow works best if you have mature or puffy eyes.
- Cream shadow will stay put longer if you dust it lightly with a loose translucent powder after application.
- Use extra loose powder under your eye to catch any particles of eye shadow that fall from your brush. Afterwards dust away excess powder with a face brush.
- If you are nearsighted, (can see close-up, but not far away) your glasses will make your eyes look smaller. The stronger your lenses, the more intense the effect. Try lighter shadows and avoid lining your upper lid.
- If you are farsighted your glasses will make your eyes look larger. Use more natural colors to bring out your eyes instead of your eye shadow.
Generally, dark eye colors look best with eye shadows in grays, blues, purples or greens. Light eye colors look best with shadows in browns, taupes or bronze.
How to Find the Right Colors
Picking the colors that you like best can be quite a task. Everyone has that drawer full of makeup that they never wear. Save money and drawer space by checking out these companies.
Almay now makes eye shadow kits designed to complement the color of your eyes. Bring Out collections are for every day wear and Play Up collections are great when you want to glam things up.
page=/tips/eyetips/shadow salon/utility.jhtml&cm=hd shadowsalon&r=000600& requestid=54767433 Cover Girl helps you try different shades and color combinations with their Shadow Salon. Simply register and fill out the quiz. Now you are ready to play.
Maybelline Makeup Studio allows you to watch videos on line so you can see proper techniques. You'll learn how to apply eye shadow along with other makeup application tips. There is no better way to learn than to watch the experts.
With the tips in this article and the web sites of these companies, soon you will know how to apply eye shadow like a pro.
Comments
Hi Aairka!
Thanks for the kind words, and don't forget to check out our Smoky Eye Makeup article!
-- Contributed by: Jacqueline Dautajhello and thank you very much
Thanks for making that correction and for making this article even more accurate!
-- Contributed by: Jacqueline DautajThis page has been accessed 22,580 times. This page was last modified 18:08, 14 September 2008.
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