I’m pretty that most everyone on here has worn eye makeup in some way- that’s what makes us makeup geeks… We love makeup!!
But, there are some foundational techniques that you should consider when pulling out those eye shadows:

Always Use An Eyeshadow Primer

It helps to…

  • Keep your eyeshadow from fading throughout the day
  • Make the eyeshadows appear more vivid
  • Prevent creasing

My top picks for eye primers:

Choose Your Tools Wisely

Having the right (not necessarily expensive) tools makes a big difference in your eyeshadow application. Here are the 4 brushes I recommend everyone have in their collection:

  • A somewhat stiff shader brush- I prefer MAC’s 239 (eBay) – This will really pack color on the lid and prevent having too much shadow fall all over your face.
  • A dome brush- I prefer MAC 217 (eBay) or Sonia Kashuk crease brush (Amazon) – This is excellent for blending out harsh lines, getting color into the crease, and for highlighting under the brow.
  • A pencil brush- similar to MAC’s 219 (eBay) or the Essence of Beauty Crease Duo brush set (eBay / CVS) – This is great for smoky eyes- it allows you to smudge color under the lower lashes, or create a defined crease.
  • An angled eyeliner brush- I prefer Sonia Kashuk’s angled fine tip liner brush (availible at Target_ – The angle to this brush allows you to control exactly where the liner ends up. Since the bristles are small, you get a precise line without too much effort or smudging.

Have 3-4 Eyeshadows Picked Out for Your Look:

  • Lid color- this can be any color or shade that you like!
  • Crease color- this should be 2 shades darker than your skin tone- it does not need to be neutral, it can be a color…
  • Highlight color- this should be something close to your skin tone- it is your choice if you want a satin finish or a shimmery one.
  • (optional) Outer V color- this should be darker than the other shadows to bring more attention inwards toward your eyes. It does matter what color.
  • Note: this is for a “traditional” look- there are many other styles of makeup that would not necessarily follow these guidelines…

Mix up your finishes!

If you have a matte or satin color on the lid, put some shimmer under the brow and vice versa… You definitely do not want to use all shimmer shadows on your eyes as you will look like a disco queen!

Don’t Limit Yourself

There is no rule saying that if you have ____ color eyes, or _____ color skin, that you shouldn’t wear ____ color eyeshadow! It is all in your preference and how you make the colors work. There will be certain colors that may be easier for you to pull off, but anyone can wear just about any color and pull it off (within reason ;) )