7 Ways to Apply Eye Shadow
This is a great technique for someone just beginning to use eye shadow, but it's also a go-to option for a casual daytime look.
If you prefer to use a creamy shadow, like the one in this video, apply it close to your lash line using the applicator or a brush. Then, use your ring finger (the weakest of your fingers so it won't tug on your skin) to blend it up and out into the crease. The less you apply and the more you blend, the lighter the wash of color.
Glossier Lidstar, $18
If you prefer to use a powder eye shadow over a cream, grab a fluffy blending brush, swirl it into your color of choice, and hold the brush near the end of the handle (the further away from the bristles that you hold the handle, the more diffused the pigment will be). Then, swipe the brush along the crease of your eye (in a windshield wiping motion) until you've deposited the amount of color you want.
Marc Jacobs Beauty The Crease Brush, $36
Step it up a notch by adding a second color into the mix. Unsure which two colors to choose? Try one matte hue and one shimmery shade, which will brighten up the eye area.
For this particular look, Kylie chose a matte pink shade and a shimmery gold tone. To recreate it: First, with your fluffy blending brush, apply your matte color into the crease of your eye (like you would for a wash of a single color), focusing on the outer corner instead. Then, use your finger tip to press the shimmery shade in the corners of your eyes. Finally, blend it into the matte shade with your fluffy brush to create the gradient effect. Kylie used a small liner brush to add the matte shade under her eye as well.
NARSissist Wanted Eyeshadow Palette, $59
Though not always practical for wearing all day long (but perfect for an Insta), one way to get the glossy lid look is to layer a sheer lip gloss over top of your shadow. First, use an eye shadow brush and your shadow of choice to cover your eyelid. Then, use your ring finger to dab the gloss over the middle of your eyelid and blend it out.
Fenty Beauty by Rihanna Gloss Bomb Universal Lip Luminizer, $18
Lip gloss isn't the only way to achieve the super-dewy effect! A universal balm or sheen-inducing highlighter product will do the trick too. Or, if you're really into the eye gloss look, invest in a product that's made to give you that high-shine look of your dreams.
Milk Makeup Eye Vinyl, $20
Instead of placing the highlight on the inner corners of your eyes, like some of the previous looks, place it in the middle of your eyelids to create the "halo" effect. First, use a shadow brush to pat the color onto both the outer and inner corners of your eyes. This keeps the color concentrated at the corners, bookending your eye. Finally, use your finger tip to pat and blend a shimmery shade over the middle of your eyelid to finish the shape.
Morphe M124 Firm Shadow Brush, $4
You can continue the same effect on the lower lash line by lining it with a darker shadow, and then highlighting the center part of your lower lash line.
Bodyography Glitter Pigments, $23
Per Sir John, layering products is key for creating a dimensional (not flat) eye makeup look. Your makeup might look like it's all the same shade at first glance, but as you move around, different textures and colors will shine through.
To achieve a multi-dimensional eye look, start by lining along the upper lashes with a creamy stick eye shadow. Then, use a small synthetic brush to blend it up and away from your lashes. Next, layer a different cream shadow in a similar shade over top. Continue to blend everything away from the eyelashes and toward the crease of the eye with your synthetic brush. Layer a powder shadow, in a similar shade, over the center of your eye and blend it. Finish with a soft taupe/cool brown shadow, using it to trace around the eye to a smoky effect. In photos, this trick will make your shadows appear to be a soft gradation of colors.
Urban Decay Eye Shadow in "Tease," $20
Two tricks for making the eye shadow pigment really pop: priming your lids (using either a shadow primer or a concealer), and dampening your shadow brush before dipping it in the shadow. Used together, these tricks will make your shadow shades appear even more concentrated that way you can achieve a strong, bold look.
KKW X Mario Eye Shadow Palette, $45
First of all, smoky doesn't necessarily mean gray and black. Mauves (like the shades shown here), browns, blues - any color you want, basically - can be smoked out. To do so, start by blending your chosen "transition shade" (a neutral, matte color that helps to tie the dark and light shades all in when blended) into the crease of your eye and up toward the brow bone. Next, apply a darker, shimmery shade onto the outer "V" corner of your eye, running it along your lower lash line as well. Blend the colors until they've reached a smoky effect. Finish by pressing a pop of highlight in your inner corners with your fingers.
Tom Ford Eye Color Quad in "Honeymoon," $85
Many makeup artists suggest layering eyeliner underneath your eye shadow to lock the powder in place. To use this hack: First, use a kohl pencil liner, using tiny strokes, over your eyelid, on the outer corners, and under the lower lash line until you have the shape you want. Then, use a brush to blend the liner and smoke it out (Patrick Ta recommends the MAC #219). To finish, press an eye shadow in a similar shade as your liner on top of your shadow to set it in place.
MAC #219 Synthetic Pencil Brush, $25
Tape. Concealer. Eyeliner. Lots of brushes. The sheer amount of products and tools needed to create a cut crease is what makes this look so advanced. But like most shadow looks, it all starts with a simple wash of color blended into the crease of your eyes. Next, you'll want to layer a slightly darker shade on top with a fluffy brush. Using a small concealer brush and concealer, outline the crease of your eye and fill in your eyelid completely with the concealer. This key step will "clean up" any of the shadow that fell below the crease and create the sharp, crisp separation of shades necessary of a cut crease. Then, align a strip of clear tape underneath your bottom lashes and angle it up in the direction of a cat eye. Use a small liner brush to layer darker shadows along the edge of the tape to create the flick. Remove the tape and continue to blend the darker shades under your bottom lash line.
Tarte Cosmetics Double Duty Beauty Shape Tape Contour Concealer, $27
But why stop there?! Emphasize that cut crease with an added line of glitter between the concealer and the shadow above your crease.
NYX Liquid Crystal Body Liner, $5
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A Light Wash of a Single Color
This is a great technique for someone just beginning to use eye shadow, but it's also a go-to option for a casual daytime look.
If you prefer to use a creamy shadow, like the one in this video, apply it close to your lash line using the applicator or a brush. Then, use your ring finger (the weakest of your fingers so it won't tug on your skin) to blend it up and out into the crease. The less you apply and the more you blend, the lighter the wash of color.
Glossier Lidstar, $18
Whether you're a beginner or an expert, there's something in here for you.
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