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How to Wear Eyeshadow

Eyeshadow can be a love or hate thing. You’ve either got the skill to brush on IG-worthy lids…or you don’t. I’m certainly closer to the latter category than the former. And as I get older, my lids aren’t as forgiving as they used to be.

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But have no fear, ladies. You can learn how to wear eyeshadow with a few simple strategies and a bit of practice.

What you do with these newfound skills is, of course, up to you. You might experiment with a dramatic new color palette to spice up date night. Or try your hand at a subtle smokey eye for a cocktail party. The goal here is to help you feel confident applying eyeshadow — so you have a new world of beauty looks to explore.

Ready to dive in?

The basic eyeshadow pattern

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Let’s start with the basic eyeshadow pattern. Learn this one and you can build on it to create looks that are uniquely you.

You’ll need a palette of four complementary colors — light, medium, dark shades plus a neutral. To start, choose colors that are close to your natural skin tone without too much sparkle. You can get bolder and more sparkly later as you get comfortable with the application.

The colors go on this way:

  • Apply the neutral first, across your lid.
  • Use the medium shade to define your crease.
  • With the dark shade, draw a V-shape between the outside edge of your lash line and the crease. An angled brush works best here.
  • Use the light shade on your brow bone and, optionally, at the inner corner of your eye.

7 essential eyeshadow application tips

Knowing the pattern is only half the battle. The other half is applying it effectively. Following the five application tips below is essential for a sophisticated eyeshadow look.

1. Use primer

I know, I know. Eyeshadow primer seems like one of those products the beauty industry made up to get us to spend more. The thing is, a good eyeshadow primer makes it easier to apply shadow successfully.

Primer gives you a smooth surface to work on. It also keeps your shadow in place longer. That’s important, right? If you’re going to spend the time to perfect the look you want it to last.

2. Less is more

Woman applies eye shadow in mirror.
Source: Envato.

Less is more with eyeshadow. You can always add more color, but you cannot easily reduce color if you over-apply.

The over-application problem usually starts with what goes on the brush. Rather than dragging your brush heavily through the powder and then stabbing your lid, gently swipe the color and tap the brush to remove excess powder.

Then, when the brush touches your lid, use a light hand. Lighter than you think you need.

Don’t overdo it. Tasteful and soft is key.

Tai Beachamp, fashion and beauty expert

3. Blend

Most of the time, if the eyeshadow look isn’t just right, the problem is a lack of blending. You’re striving for soft transitions from color to color and from color to skin. Sometimes this takes way more blending than you’d expect. Be patient.

4. Get a good brush set

Woman's hand holding three makeup brushes.
Source: Envato.

Speaking of blending, you need a good brush for that. Invest in a quality brush set that includes:

  • Flat eyeshadow brush
  • Fluffy eyeshadow brush
  • Angled eyeshadow brush
  • Blending brush

You can optionally add a pencil brush and a smudging brush to your collection too.

5. Choose colors wisely

You can buy eyeshadow in any color from soft pink to neon yellow. Not all of those colors will pair well with your eyes and skin tone. If you’re not sure what colors look good on you, head into a Sephora and ask a beauty consultant.

In the meantime, experiment with neutrals like taupes and grays.

6. Choose textures wisely

Frost? Matte? Cream? Powder? It’s easy to get overwhelmed at your choices in the cosmetic aisle at Target. Here are the highlights (no pun intended) that’ll help you choose the eyeshadow formula that’s right for you.

  • Frosts can settle into skin folds. So for those of us experiencing the joys of slightly sagging lids and fine lines, avoid sparkle and shimmer.
  • Creams are wonderful for their staying power.
  • Mattes and minerals typically have more pigments. These are ideal for your glammy looks.
  • Powders are the most versatile because they blend well. You can use them on your entire lid or to accentuate one area, like your brow bones.

7. Know the time and place

As a general rule, go easy on the eye makeup during the day and glam things up at night. For example, you could wear heather gray powder on your lids for work. Stash two slightly darker shades in your bag so you can add the crease and v-shape details before you head off to your evening activities.

Bottom line

Learning how to wear eyeshadow is not much different from learning how to do anything else. You get the tips from an expert, practice, modify, and make it your own. You got this. Hopefully I’ll soon you on the feeds sometime soon showing off some flashy new lids.

Judy H.

Tuesday 5th of February 2013

Blend, blend, blend

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