Eyeshadow. How to Apply Pretty Eye Makeup [Tips]

In my first hub on Makeup, I explain how important it is to moisturize.

This is still #2 on how to apply makeup. First- wash that face!

Since we have already established all of that information, let us get going on the eyes.

Once you have applied a good moisturizer all over your face, brush some powder all over as well. You want to use either a translucent powder, or the closest color to your face as you can get. It is up to you whether or not to use an eye primer. I have used Paula Dorf Eye Primer, and like it very much. I don't find it to be an absolute necessity- but it does help the shadow to stay on longer than without using it. It is up to you how far you want to go!

The next thing that I do is curl my eyelashes. Curl them BEFORE you put the eye makeup.  Curl them good. Curl them all the way up as far as they can go. Curling your lashes up as much as possible will bring the color of your eyes out. You don't realize until you actually do this how much it works. Try it.

Tried the heated eyelash curler? It's a pretty nifty contraption too.

You can read all kinds of articles on "the right color for your eyes" that you want. What I find is that you have to play around until you figure out what looks best.

What colors are getting you the most compliments? What colors were you wearing when you felt like you were on cloud nine about the way you looked?

I have seen girls wearing blue eyeshadow [something I have never been able to pull off] that looked gorgeous! It really just depends on each person! Stop looking for that article that is going to tell you "THEE Perfect Color" It is NOT out there. Recommendations are fine, and I am going to recommend to you what is working well for me. Just don't think that is going to be the absolute final say so in your picking out of your eyeshadow(s).

I also have to admit that I have a bag full of different colors. Lots of them. But I do have one particular brand and the name of the trio set that I use every single day. I may use another color in the crease of my eye to match an outfit. But I always use Covergirl "Shimmering Sands."

The main color that I am using out of the trio is the last color of the 3.  It is the lightest color out of the trio, and it IS shimmery.  I love it and I get asked all of the time what color I use.  It doesn't matter what color I use in the crease of my eye- it is the shimmery color that they are seeing.  If I don't use the Shimmering Sands- no one asks!  It is what it is.

I brush this color on all over my lid. I start right under the brow and go all the way to the bottom of my lid.

Let's also get out of the way the fact that you should be using a GOOD eyeshadow brush. Don't use the one that you bought at the Dollar Tree. The bristles fall out, and the cheaply made brush just doesn't work well. It's one of those things that if you ask a professional painter, they will tell you every time- It is worth spending a few extra bucks on a quality brush than to buy the cheap one and have a crappy outcome.

It may seem like you shouldn't have to- but trust me when I say- YES YOU DO.

I like the Paula Dorf brush myself, but there are plenty of good quality brushes out there at the local drugstore that work fine too. And it's not like you have to spend a hundred bucks...NO.

But the dollar brushes will not cut it.

After you have brushed your main color all over the lid, find a slightly darker color to brush along the bottom of the lid. You can use the 2nd color of the Shimmering Sands trio- it is pretty. I often use this color. Again though, it's up to you.

The last color that I choose for the crease of my eye is something that I use to tie in with my outfit. For instance, if I am wearing something bright in color like pink or peach or orange etc., I use a color that is close to the color of my shirt in the crease of my lid. But if I am wearing green or blue or black, I just use a neutral color in the crease.

I myself don't use blue or green eyeshadow very often. But if I do, I very lightly sweep it into the crease. Some people can pull off the funky colors. If you can so be it! Whatever gets you the most compliments will suit you just fine.

I then lightly sweep my whole lid with the shimmery color of the shimmering sands one last time to blend it all together naturally.

One last little tip. If you choose not to spend money on an eye primer but still want the shadow to stay on for a long period of time without having to mess with it- something I found that I think works almost as well and is FREE...this may sound a bit icky....but lightly lick your eyeshadow brush before putting on the first layer of shadow. That's right, just give it a little juice and dab the eyeshadow and brush it on as usual. It really does work. 

Your eye makeup is the one chance you get to really show off your stuff.  They say that the eyes are the windows to the soul.  Play around with different kinds of eye makeup until you find what works best for you.  It is worth the time you spend doing yourself up!