Looking flawless and having perfect eye makeup doesn’t have to be overwhelming and is easier than you think once you get the hang of it. Once you understand how to apply foundation and all other cover-up products, you should know how to achieve a perfect eye makeup look. It’s like the icing on a cake!
Eye makeup enhances all your features and allows you to make either a bold statement or gives you a softer glowing appearance. But if you don’t properly prepare, you may just end up with raccoon eyes or a harsh, washed out look. Practice is the name of the game, but with the right information and tools, you’ll be on your way to rocking the perfect eye makeup in no time!
Know Your Eye Shape
Knowing and working with your eye shape is key to your success for a perfect eye makeup application.
A certain makeup application on almond eyes won’t look the same on hooded eyes and may even end up looking strange. Determine your eye shape to create the perfect eye makeup look for yourself!
Preparation
Before you start going crazy on your lids, make sure to prep and prime your eyes for what’s to come. Starting with a good foundation to work on will help you get the most out of your makeup and every eye makeup look you try.
Moisturize Your Eyelids/Under-Eyes
Before applying any type of makeup to your face, follow your skincare routine to keep your skin hydrated, healthy, and glowing. It p
Make sure to include a daily eye treatment in your routine to avoid fine lines and wrinkles, dark bags, and to hydrate your lids for your makeup application. Dry eyelids are a bad surface for your eyeshadow and eyeliner. It can make your eye makeup look dull and patchy.
For a fresh, smooth eye makeup application, don’t skip this step! It will make all the difference with how your makeup turns out.
Prime Your Eyelids/Under-Eyes
Priming is a must before applying any other eye makeup. It allows your eyeshadow colors to really pop the way you want them to. Eyeshadow primer will give all other eye makeup a surface to adhere to, giving you lasting coverage.
Make sure to set your primer with either a bright white eyeshadow or a skin tone eyeshadow to avoid creasing on your lids. Urban Decay’s Eyeshadow Primer Potion is one of the best primers out there and helps avoid creasing while giving you all- day coverage.
I’m currently using Elf’s Clear Eye Primer, and it’s been amazing so far! It’s lighter weight and a little bit goes a long way. You only need about 1/2 a pea size maybe even a little less for both lids.
Find a great primer that works for you and you’ll be on your way to stand-out eyes in no time!
Use concealer as a primer under your eyes to brighten the skin while covering any veins or dark bags. You could even use your concealer on your lids to prime if you wish.
Whichever you choose, always make sure to set your primer! Use a translucent powder to set your under-eye concealer to avoid creasing. I’m currently obsessed with Tarte’s Shape Tape Contour Concealer. It glides on smoothly and the applicator gives you easy control over where you apply it. I also always use an under-eye blending sponge to easily blend the concealer into all the right places.
Eye Makeup Tools
Brushes
Having great brushes is a must for the perfect eyeshadow application. I normally use about 4 different brushes when applying eyeshadow.
Keep in mind that you should always hold your brush handle closer to the end rather than near the ferrule (the metal piece that connects the handle to the bristles). This will keep you from pressing down too hard which creates harsh, blotchy patches with your shadow.
The key for a great eyeshadow application is to have your powder lightly dusted onto the lid while still having complete control.
Always make sure to tap your brush against your palette to remove excess powder from your brush, which contributes to fallout, prior to application.
Fluff Brush
Start off with a
Normally, I only use it to apply base shadow all over my lids and under the brow bone, but sometimes I finish off my eyeshadow by using it to apply my lightest color on my lid.
Crease Brush
You want to use a brush that’s stiff, but not too stiff when applying shadow to your creases. I’ve found that if a brush is too stiff, it makes it hard to transition the powder from the brush to your lids and you may end up with a patchy application.
I love to use Morphe brushes when applying eyeshadow to my creases as they’re easy to work with and help transition the shadow onto my lids flawlessly and without giving a patchy finish.
Blending Brush
This is where the magic happens, people! It’s time to blend all your gorgeous eyeshadows in to create a smooth, seamless finish. A great blending brush is key to achieving a flawless eye makeup look.
You want your eyeshadow to melt into your skin instead of looking blotchy. You also want the colors to transition into each other instead of seeing where one color starts and another ends.
It’s important to choose a blending brush tha give you full control over where you’re blending so you don’t end up mixing your brightest color into your darkest.
Oval Shadow Brush
This is the finisher brush! You could also choose to use your fluff brush instead of this, but if you’re using a creamier eyeshadow or glitter, your oval brush is the way to go.
These brushes are a bit stiffer and they’re great for adding your main pop of color onto the center of your lids. Simply press the shadow onto your oval brush, tap off the excess powder, and press down onto the middle and inner corner of your eyelid to finish off your eyeshadow
When it comes to eyeshadow, there are a few guidelines to base your look off of, but keep in mind your creativity is really the only limit you have when coming up with application ideas.
Always take a neutral or white shadow and cover your entire lid and brow bone area.
If you’re wanting a no-makeup makeup look, pick two shades that are skin-toned to wear on your lids. One that is your exact skin tone or slightly lighter and one that’s a shade slightly darker. Brush on the lightest color all over your brow bone and lid and blend in the darker color in the outer corner of your lid.
This 2-shade application works great for any colors and is a simple quick way to add some color your lids without going crazy. Its perfect for when you’re in a rush or for an easy-going daytime look.
Jazz up your lids with a third color if your wanting to play up your look. Have a light shade for your lids and brow bone, a slightly darker shade for your crease, and an even darker shade for your outer corner.
You can stick to 3, 4, or even more shadow colors for a bold smoky look.
Flat Brush
A flat brush is great for applying shadow eyeliner, as the straight, stiff bristles allow for a smooth application right on the lid or on the under-eye.
Create your shadow liner mixture, dip your brush in, and apply.
Smudge Brush
The smudge brush has a sponge-like tip that allows you to smudge your eyeliner out giving it a more blurred effect. It’s a great compliment to smoky eyeshadow.
Use your smudge brush to blurr your kohl or gel eyeliners for the best outcome.
If you’re not great at applying the smoky shadow look, you can create a hashtag symbol with your eyeliner at the outer corner of your lid and blend it with your smudge brush to get a quick and easy smoked-out effect.
Eyeshadow
It’s super important to consider your eye color before choosing an eyeshadow color to play with. You want to use colors that contrast your eye color.
Get to know your eyeshadow pallet before you begin applying. There are a few different types of eyeshadow pallets to keep an eye out for, but when in doubt, know the basics!
Your lightest color will look best as a highlighting shade for your brow bone.
The second lightest shade will work as a finishing shadow on your lid.
Your darkest shade should be applied to the outer corner of your eye, while your second darkest shade should be used in the crease.
All of the shades you choose should complement each other and help you achieve a gradient look.
For a daytime look, keep your lids light. You can stick with 2 or 3 lighter colors, or go for 4 for a more dramatic look, but keep all colors lighter for the daytime.
For a nighttime look, feel free to experiment with darker, bolder shades to accentuate your eyes and really make them pop.
Easily transition your daytime look to a nighttime look by building upon your daytime shades with deeper tones in the crease and outer corner of your lids.
Eyeliner
There are many different types of eyeliner you can use to achieve different looks. Keep in mind the look you’re going for when picking out a color to wear.
Black will enhance the overall appearance of your eye and make the details stand out. Black is great for both daytime and nighttime wear but a dramatic cat-eye is a great style at night.
Keep it simple during the day and wear it on your upper lid with either a brown or bronze liner on the lower lid or simply apply a slightly darker shadow on the lower lid and keep it liner free.
Brown and bronze are great eyeliner options during the day when you want your features enhanced without going over-the-top. These colors look great with neutral tones and add depth to your eye while keeping a more natural appearance.
If you’re going for a fun, playful feel, experiment with brighter colors!
Tightline your upper lash line to avoid patches and to give your eyes the boldest look you can.
Tightlining takes some practice, but I’ve found the easiest way to
Lash Curler
You can choose to curl your lashes either before your eyeshadow application or after, but always curl before you apply your eyeliner to avoid smudging.
When used correctly, an eyelash curler can make your eyes appear bigger and really open up your eyes, bringing focus to your eye color.
Take your lash curler and get it as close to the lash line as possible before squeezing. Squeeze your lashes about 5 times or more to give your lashes a really defined curl.
If you’re planning on using false lashes, make sure to apply them prior to curling.
Never curl your lashes after applying mascara. Always curl, then apply. You don’t want your lashes to be too wet or too dry when curling. You can cause damage to your lashes and cause them to break otherwise.
Mascara
Mascara will give your eyes even more depth and really make them pop. Black will help you achieve this look the best, but you can choose to wear brown during the daytime for a softer, more natural look.
Feeling confident? Try rocking a colorful mascara at night for a more playful, vibrant appearance.
To apply your mascara, start at the root and wiggle your mascara wand back and forth in an upwards motion all the way to the tips. Repeat this 3 times to coat all of your lashes.
Go back through in a straight upward motion with a clean
Highlighter
Highlighter around your eyes is the cherry on top you didn’t know you needed for a perfect eye makeup look.
You can choose either a liquid highlighter or powder, but you can use them in the same areas for a shimmery glow.
Apply your highlighter at the inner corner of your eyes and the brow bone to make your overall eye makeup appear brighter and stand out even more.
Make your eye area pop by applying highlighter at the top of your cheekbones working backwards and upwards to the temple.
For powders, I find it’s easiest to rub my finger in the pigmented shade and rub it back and forth into the desired areas. You could also use a highlighter brush and sweep it back and forth across the desired areas.
If you choose to wear a liquid highlighter, which is a great option during the winter time when hydration is key, use a small brush to paint it into the desired areas and blend.
Setting Spray
Use a great setting spray to ensure your eye makeup stays vibrant all day long. My favorites to use are Urban Decay’s All-Nighter Setting Spray and Ulta’s Dewy setting spray.
Mist your setting spray all over your face about 6-8 inches away from your face to avoid running makeup.
Mist your face before applying your mascara to avoid it running down your face.
Achieving Perfect Eye Makeup
When it comes to makeup, there are no rules! It takes practice and patience, but with the right tools and understanding your eye shape and color, the options are endless on the different looks you can create.
These are simply basics and essentials you’ll need to get the ball rolling and to get the best eye makeup look you possibly can. And remember, practice makes perfect!
What are your favorite products to use for your eye makeup? Let me know in the comments below!
Leave a Reply