Eyeshadow Applications

Have you ever looked at celebrities such as Kim Kardashian, wondering how in the world their eyeshadow can look so amazing? While a full time makeup artist would help us all, with a few eyeshadow tips, it is not hard to make your own eyes stand out. Knowing how to apply eyeshadow correctly and which colors best complement your individual look are the keys to success here. Once you master the basic eyeshadow techniques, you can create a variety of looks for different occasions, whether you are getting ready for the
Oscars or simply for class.

Let’s cover the basics

Using different levels and intensities of color on certain parts of your eye area can give your eyes a glamorous look- or make you look you’re auditioning for The Breakfast Club. To avoid the latter (unless of course you are truly headed to an eighties party), you simply need to know what goes where. For a basic application, all you have to do is mentally divide your eye area into three parts: the lid, the crease, and under the brow.

As a general rule, almost all eyeshadow techniques start with three shades: a dark, medium, and a light. This is the foundation of any look you are trying to achieve. Start with the medium shade. Apply it all over the lid, and on into the crease. Next, use the darkest shade in the crease. This is what will really make your eyes “pop”. Depending on how dark you want your eyes to look, you can apply more or less of this color. If you want a lighter look, don’t apply the dark eyeshadow over all of the crease. Starting at the outside of the eye, go to about half way. Last, apply the lightest shade right beneath your brow. Now, using your finger, gently blend each section so that there are no harsh edges.

Eyeshadow and eye color

If you’ve been in a makeup or drug store lately, you have probably spotted the many products marketed to bring out your eye color. The brands Almay and Physician’s Formula have several great products for this at an affordable price. However, with the makeup you have at home, you easily recreate the look these products give if you know which colors to use.

If you have blue eyes, look for tans, golds, browns, and rust colors. Dark plums can be pretty as well. For hazel eyes, neutrals will always look good, as will most shades of purple. Green-eyed girls look great in all shades of brown and copper, and lucky girls with brown eyes can generally wear any of these. But remember, if you aren’t sure about a color, neutrals will usually work for anyone.

Eyeshadow and complexion

Now that you know how to apply eyeshadow and what shades can bring out your eye color, it is time to consider your complexion. You’ve probably heard the terms ‘warm’ and ‘cool’ in regard to skin tone. How do you know where you fall? One way is to get pieces of gold and silver fabric and hold each next to your skin in a mirror. If you look better with silver, then you have a cool complexion. If you look better with gold, then you have a warm complexion. Another way to tell is to look at the veins in your arms. If they appear green, then you have a warm complexion, whereas if they appear blue, your complexion is cool.

So what does this mean for your makeup? People with warm complexions tend to look best in bronze, pinks, some greens, and golds. On the other hand, if you have a cool complexion, purples, plums, greys, and silvers probably look better on you. Now that you know your complexion, you can pick out colors that not only bring out your eyes, but enhance your skin tone as well.

Eyeshadow and hair color

As a rule, usually the darker your hair color, the darker the shade of eyeshadow you can wear. Smokey eyes with dark browns look great with dark hair. Women with lighter hair typically look better in lighter colors, but this has a lot to do with complexion as well. If you have light hair and a fair complexion, dark eyeshadow can appear harsh and make you look washed out. Keep in mind, this still depends on personal preference. If you’re going for an edgier look, then darker eye makeup will probably suit you. For women with red hair, complexion must be considered as well. If you have fair skin, dark eye makeup may also look harsh.

Day vs. Night

Unless you are strictly going for a natural look, your eyeshadow techniques used in the day should differ slightly from the look you don for the night. During the day, overly bright colors, excess glitter, and dark shades will generally not flatter your skin in sunlight or even in indoor lighting. Unless you are trying to look like pre-makeover Julie Roberts in Pretty Woman, this is not a good idea. Instead, keep it simple. Use colors that go with your eyes and skin, but this is not the time to go heavy. Save that for sundown.

For night, all bets are off. Depending on where you are headed, you may be trying to look like Lady Gaga. However, for a general night look, darkening your day eyes will suffice. You can do this by applying a darker shade to the crease of your eye and adding black eyeliner. Find a glittery white to apply under your brow for a little more glam. Just remember, if you’re going out with friends, the night is your time to experiment. Do whatever makes you feel sexy. If you want to try out sparkly blue, then by all means go for it. After all, after a few drinks it will most likely not be your worst decision of the night anyway.