How to apply basic eyeshadows
Friday, June 22, 2012 at 12:25PM There are a myriad of techniques and styles when it comes to applying eyeshadows, but I like to keep it simple for an everyday and versatile look. By simple, I mean using only three colors and one brush. Yes, one brush. :) Brushes are fun to use but only for advanced and very detailed eyeshadow work. For a basic day look, one brush and three colors is really all you need!
I love doing colorful eye looks but for this tutorial, I thought I'd show you a universal way to highlight and contour your eyes. Knowing how to do neutral, enhanced eyes is crucial knowledge; with it, you can wear virtually any shade of blush and lipstick. If you have to know only one eyeshadow look, this is it.
Here's the step-by-step tutorial!
Step 1: Prime your lids with an eyeshadow base. An eyeshadow base is a MUST when wearing eyeshadows because it intensifies their color and extends their lasting power. Pat on a thin layer and wait a few seconds for it to dry. I love the Urban Decay Primer Potion and the ArtDeco Eyeshadow Base.
Step 2: Pick up a shimmery champagne, peach or light gold shade using your eyeshadow brush. Pat it gently from the inner corner of your lid, moving outwards. You can swipe it a little if you wish, for smoother coverage.
By the way, the brush I'm using here is the Studio Makeup Pro Shadow Shading Brush. It's awesome!
Step 3: Pick up a matte or satin contour shade (could be brown or tan). Tilt your brush a little bit, using the edge to shade your crease. The crease is the area where your eyeball curves toward your head or, if you have double lids, the area where your fold is.
Darkening your crease creates the illusion of deeper and smaller eyes. I used a very light matte tan here because I just want a bit of contour, but if you want hooded-looking eyes, you can pick a darker shade.
From the other corner of your eyes, swipe the crease color going about 2/3s into your eyes
It will look a little uneven here, but that's ok since you'll blend that in further.
Step 3: Pick a beige, dirty white, or another light champagne shade as a brow highlight/crease blending color. Apply it directly on the edges of your crease color blending outwards to sort of erase the sharp edges. Blend upwards to your eyebrows to create the illusion of higher brows.
Definition of blend - erase sharp lines by sort of shimmying the brush in small sideward motions.
Barely there beauty
Add mascara and eyeliner...
Done!
See, it's super easy and simple. :) I used a kickass Bobbi Brown palette in this look, but there are tons of equally good drugstore alternatives for doing this neutral eye. Here are some of my suggestions!
Revlon ColorStay 16 Hour Eye Shadow Quad in Brazen
Wet n' Wild Color Icon Eyeshadow Palette in Vanity
Great find: IN2IT Eye Colour Palette in Island Sands
Majolica Majorca Jeweling Eyes palettes in Caramelisee
Majolica Majorca Jeweling Eyes palette in RD784
If price is no object and you want to invest in neutrals that you will use forever, try these!
Beauty PRO Cosmetics Palette in Sweet and Smoky
Urban Decay Naked palette
Any Bobbi Brown neutral palette. This one is a limited edition Bobbi Brown Tortoise Shell Palette in Sand.
More tips:
- You can use this three-step eyeshadow application technique with ANY color. Have fun and experiment! Just make sure to use the medium color on your lid, darkest color on the crease, and the lightest on your brow bone.
- When you see flecks of powder on your face (called fallout), just brush it away with a powder or blush brush. Just sweep it sidewards, but take care not to press the fallout on skin.
- If you don't have a proper eyeshadow base, you can use a concealer on your lids.
- To intensify colors even more (especially metallic ones), use the foiling method. Just dampen your brush with a bit of water then use it to apply eyeshadows. You'll find that the water activates the pigments!
And that's it! I hope this helps. :) Please let me know if you have any questions or suggestions. Thanks!
Reader Comments (13)
Hope you can make and post a video next time!
Great tutorial as usual. You've been putting a lot of effort for all your avid readers. No wonder, you're one of my favorites. got to grab a neutral palette. soon... :D
I really really enjoy reading your How To posts. I'm learning a lot from them :D
Thank you for sharing! :D
Omo~!!! You are getting prettier and prettier each post, Ms. Liz! I super love your last photo!!! ^__^
Great tutorial! Thanks =) I hope you can do a tutorial on how to apply eyeliner, if you still haven't... I'll browse your archives to make sure though... Hehe =P Stay pretty!
THANK YOU. I really needed this.
Very nice tutorial! I'll do this if I'll be putting eyeshadow on my eyes :) What do you think is the best brand for eyeshadows? Thanks <3
I was wondering if you've tried any make-up sealers like the MAC Fix+ Spray or the Ben Nye Final Seal. I've read mixed reviews of both so I was hoping for your honest opinion on them. Are they worth trying? Thanks!
WHats your fave among the three:
Revlon ColorStay 16 Hour Eye Shadow Quad in Brazen,
Wet n' Wild Color Icon Eyeshadow Palette in Vanity,
or IN2IT Eye Colour Palette in Island Sands?
Thanks guys! So happy to know this was useful!
@soleil sorry haven't tried either! i got a mac fix+ the other day though, i'll review it soon.
@evy difficult question! i really super like Brazen though. Then next Vanity, then Island Sands.
Recently I discovered the wonders that eye make up can do. One morning, I only had 4 hours of sleep but regardless, I still have to go to work. So while fixing my hair in the restroom I felt surprisingly enthusiastic to fix myself (prolly because of how I look) and decided to use the Kate eye shadow palette that has long been lodging undisturbed inside my beauty kit. I was lucky I guess because Kate eye makeup comes with instructions so I was directed as to where I will put the colors, turns out it really made a big difference, I looked more awake and I'd like to believe prettier :)) My palette was brownish so I went for my favorite no make up look and I actually succeeded! It was a simple look that made me feel a lot better :)
Nice tutorial! I like the light-dark-light placement on my lids instead of the crease for everyday because i have so much trouble with my non-existent crease! I guess i just need to practice more!
Because I am a noob at eye makeup, I thought I should choose a palette with atleast 10 colors and making sure they do not complement each other thus skipping neutrals and picking colrful ones. My first eyeshadow palette then was a sleek idivine in PPQ. Sadly until now I find it hard to select which colors to use and blend. Now I realized how important it is to start with the basics - neutrals and minimal palettes to practice shading, blending and highlighting first. I think I will be able to use my current Sleek colorful palette when I learn putting e/s more creatively in the future LOL. I am buying Revlon Custom Eyes Naturally Glamorous to practice the basic brown eyes. Thanks Ms Liz! :)