How to Apply Eye Shadow

Eye shadow is a cosmetic usually made of very fine-colored powder applied to the eyelids (below the eyebrow) to enhance the looks of the eyes. Eye shadow can be used for everyday makeup or for stage and costume purposes.

For everyday make up, it is best to select colors that match your skin, otherwise you will end up with an unnatural look that does not really flatter or enhance your facial features. Taupe is the eye shadow color that most women would match with.

What Colors to Choose and Where to Apply Them

The basic way to apply eye shadow is to use three different shades of a single color that matches your skin. Coming up with the three, you will have the dark, medium, and light colors.

• The lightest shade is used on the lid.
• The medium shade is used on the crease.
• The darkest shade is used on the lash line.

Things to Remember Before Starting to Apply Eye Shadow

• Always use a brush to apply eye shadow. Do not use cotton buds or the outer edges of your face powder applicator as they are a bit too hard and will end up rubbing the eye shadow of instead of leaving it on your skin and they will provide you with less control in applying and keeping the eye shadow exactly on the area you want to apply on.
• Always apply a base before anything else. Work with your concealer and foundation before you apply eye shadow and other cosmetics on your face.

The Order in Applying the Three Shades

• First, apply the medium color. Using your medium-sized brush, apply it starting from the crease of your eye up to the lash line.
• Next, apply the medium color on the crease of your eye making sure it does not entirely cover the medium shade you have just applied, and that it doesn’t reach your eyebrow. A smaller brush will help you keep the medium color right on the crease. Basically, it is best to make the application jus a tad thicker on the crease toward the temple, and thinner as it approaches the bridge of your nose.
• Last, using a flat eye shadow brush, apply the darkest shade on the lash line. If you are also applying eyeliner, make sure to apply the liner before the eye shadow. Doing it the other way around will make it hard for you to keep the liner on or even to make it “write”; the fine powder of the eye shadow will keep the liner from having a firm surface to write on. On the other hand, if you apply the eye shadow after the liner, you will help set the liner and keep it from rubbing off easily.

How to Apply Depending on the Shape of the Eyes

Depending on the shape of your eyes you need to make slight adjustments on how you apply your three shades.

• If you have deep set eyes, apply the lightest shade all over the lid from the crease down to the lash line. Keep the medium as a thin line right on the crease and form a crescent down to the lash line at the outer corner of the eye.
• Keep the darkest shade on the lash line and apply some of it on the outer half of the lower eyelid too.
• If you have a shallower crease, try to apply thicker medium shade on it to emphasize it and to give the illusion of a deeper set eye. Do the same crescent on the outer corner and dark shade on the lash line.
• If you have almond eyes like a Chinese or Korean, keep the medium shade really close to the dark shade on the lash line working just a little bit upward. No crescent needed this time.