What You Need to Know about Applying Eye Makeup:

By marlena • Jul 11th, 2008 • Category: Articles & Reviews

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 ;) )

19 Responses »

  1. AngiePaye on July 11th, 2008 at 2:55 am:

    good article marlena.

  2. liz on July 11th, 2008 at 6:03 am:

    very slick marlena

  3. richellene on July 11th, 2008 at 6:51 am:

    THanks so much again Marlena. As always its additional info about make up that i need to know. Its good for me reading all your tips and advice as i am going to school studying make up. So, thanks Marlena again! You are great! xoxoxo

  4. Angie on July 11th, 2008 at 11:29 am:

    Thanks Marlena,
    The brush info was really helpful. I have the cvs brush duo and love it. I thought that I needed the mac 219, but if they are comparable than I will stick to what I have. I spend way too much money on makeup items anyway : )

  5. Donna on July 11th, 2008 at 3:31 pm:

    Thank you Marlena! I am new to Makeup Geek and I am enjoying it greatly!

  6. Beth on July 11th, 2008 at 6:43 pm:

    Great advice as usual!!!

  7. Dinah on July 11th, 2008 at 10:50 pm:

    So helpful! You’re awesome. Keep it up :)

  8. MissDeeCanada on July 12th, 2008 at 1:15 am:

    I just adore all your knowledge just awesome!

    Its good advice and well I totally agree with the primer. I never knew how much it improves your eyeshaow until I started using a primer, wether it be my UDPP, mac paint pot or shade stick, its just amazing!

  9. Tara on July 13th, 2008 at 2:11 am:

    Love the make-up videos on YouTube; (Kim Kardashian one especially). You are such a pretty girl and do such a great job…can you tell me what color lip sticks/gloss you were wearing in the Kardashian video clip for eye-shadow??
    Thanks!

  10. Nikki on July 13th, 2008 at 6:11 am:

    all the tips are SO True! thanks

  11. Anna on July 16th, 2008 at 10:05 pm:

    I love MAC and I was wanting to get the right ‘tools’for my eyes but MAC brushes were almost 3 times more expensive than some other ones I was looking at buying. I have the MAC 242 brush but I use it for concealer. Would you recommend getting NYX brushes (or comparable brand) or should I go ahead and make the investment in MAC to get brushes that will last and have better quality and give better results?? Your make-up and techniques are awesome and I’m so excited to try to duplicate!!

  12. Bubusimi on July 23rd, 2008 at 11:41 am:

    Hi I am new to using eye and these tips are great..thanks alot

  13. Theresa on August 2nd, 2008 at 3:06 am:

    Dear Marlena…I found your site yesterday..I was on You tube..I clicked into Mac..one of my favorite lines of makeup. I just wanted to say thanks so much for all of your helpful tips…
    love your colors that you use. Some of those Mac eyeshadows on Ebay the onces in lots mostly..be careful..they are fake from China..or Hong Kong..I know it happened to me once when I didn’t realize they had knock off Mac cosmetics…just wanted to let you know.
    Also..are those NYX pigments any good?…how about the NYX cream eyeshadows?…
    thanks…have a wonderful weekend..

    Best regards!
    Theresa from Brooklyn, New York

  14. marlena on August 2nd, 2008 at 3:52 pm:

    Hi Theresa :)

    Yep- there are some “too good to be true” offers on ebay that I am sure are fake :(

    The NYX pigments are good- not as good as mac’s but definitely worth the price. I haven’t tried the cream eyeshadows by them yet…

  15. Kasey on August 2nd, 2008 at 6:17 pm:

    Hi Marlena! Love The Site! The angled eyeliner brush, can you please give a comparision to MAC? I am looking for that brush… Thanks hun!

  16. Sam on August 24th, 2008 at 6:12 pm:

    I’VE TRIED AND TESTED LOADS OF EYE PRIMERS AND THE BEST ONE AT THE MOMENT IS BENEFITS F.Y.I. REALLY GREAT AND I SWEAR YOUR EYE SHADOW LASTS FOR HOURS AND HOURS WITHOUT FADING OR CREASING. I’VE EVEN TRIED IT WITH CHEAP EYE SHADOWS AND WOW WHAT CAN I SAY BEST RESULT EVER!!!!!! IF U GUYS WANT YOUR EYE SHADOW TO LAST ALL DAY GIVE IT A GO.

  17. Ana on August 26th, 2008 at 4:26 pm:

    Marlena,
    I currently use the painterly paint pot from mac as my eyeshadow primer. Do you recommend the urban decay primer better than the mac paint pots?

  18. Kena on August 27th, 2008 at 12:18 am:

    I am so glad I found your web site. I was very impressed with the techniques and instructions you give as you are applying your make up. You make it seem so easy. Thanks for the tips

  19. staci on August 28th, 2008 at 4:38 pm:

    Hi Marlena,
    Im very interested in make up wondering if u do makeup101 tutorials or recommend any

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