It’s easy to fall into an eye-makeup rut, brushing on the same neutral shades day after day. but branching out isn’t as big a deal as you think. With a few swipes of a brush, you can conjure a soft, clean finish, a pop of color, a romantic haze or a pair of sexy, smoldering rings. Forget about contouring, contrasting and all those other confusing terms. Arm yourself with some basic skills and a broad palette of colors – and have some fun.
Use a straight-edged brush to work the darkest shade into the top lash line. Draw it out diagonally at the outer corners to create a slight upturn.
With an eye shadow brush, swoosh the medium-toned shadow over the darkened lash lines and blend it up toward your creases.
Dip the flat brush into the dark shadow and press it into the lower lash lines. the powder will create soft definition rather than a harsh line.
A subtle gradation of color focused on the outer corner accentuates the almond shape.
Use a shadow brush to locate the indentation above the upper edge of your eyeball. Brush a medium shadow back and forth across that area to “create” a subtle crease.
Pull your eyelid taut with a finger. Apply the lightest shadow onto the lid beneath the medium-toned shadow. Fill in the lid all the way down to the lash line.
Use a flat brush to apply the darkest shade to the top lash line, starting at the inner corner and working outward. Blend it in well so there are no harsh lines.
Light shading around the socket creates depth in the crease, and a clean lower lash line makes the eye look more open.
Use a round-tip shadow brush to apply the lightest shadow color onto the inner half of the eyelid, from the lash line all the way to the crease.
Dust the mid-tone shadow onto the outer half of the lid to draw attention away from the center.
Line inner and outer rims of the top and bottom lids with a soft eye pencil. Eliminating the lightness on the inner lower lid helps define the eye.
The play of light and dark shadows helps elongate round eyes, especially ones that seem to protrude.
