Basic Eye Makeup Tips
Your eye makeup defines your "look". Use it sparingly to
create modest, yet beautiful eyes for the work day, and apply it
heavier for dramatic, sexy eyes that are perfect for an evening out on
the town. When preparing for a photo shoot you will want to apply it slightly heavier.
Begin by applying an eye shadow primer base to your lids to help your
eye makeup look fresh longer.
Tips for Applying Eye Shadow
The skillful use of eye shadow can certainly compliment the natural beauty of your eyes, accentuating
your iris color and overall eye shape. The following eye makeup tips
can also help enhance Mother Nature's original handy work or if you
feel the need for a change.
For Wide Set Eyes
To accentuate wide set eyes or to create the illusion of distance
between close set eyes, try following these eye makeup tips:
- Apply a light to medium shade of eye shadow to your entire lid area.
- Then, using a darker, complimentary color, apply this shade to
the outer third of your main lid area, extending slightly beyond the
outer corner of your eye.
- Use your finger tip to blend the darker color and soften the edges
- Add pencil liner, slightly widening the line at the outer edges of the eyes.
- Brush mascara onto the tips of the lashes near the inner corners, and on the full length of the lashes near the outer edges.
For Closer Eyes
If you want your eyes to appear to be closer, you can give them the illusion of being closer.
- Use a light to medium shade of eye shadow on your main lid area.
- Apply a slightly darker, but complimentary shade of shadow
just in the inner corner of your lids, and then draw it out in a fine
line along your lid crease, just to the outer corners of your eyes and
blend slightly. The darker shade adds a bit of depth, and tends to draw
focus, creating the illusion that your eyes are closer than they
actually are.
- Add liner and mascara if you wish.
For Big, Bold Eyes
To really make your eyes "pop", try these eye makeup tips:
- Apply a light shade of shadow just below your brow line for a highlight effect.
- Apply a medium shade of shadow to your main lid.
- Apply a line of darker shadow along the crease of your lid to the outer edge, then soften and blend it with your fingertip.
- Apply eye liner along the length of your upper lid, just above
your lash line. Then repeat just beneath the lash line on your lower
lid, meeting the upper line at the outer corners of your eyes. If you
use a liner pencil, you may want to use your finger to gently smudge
the liner for a smokier look.
For Softening Prominent Eyes
You can darken your eyelids to create the illusion of deeper set eyes.
- Apply a medium shade of shadow to the lids and skip highlighting the brow line.
- Use a darker shade of shadow or pencil liner to draw a line
along the lash line of your top lids, then apply mascara to your
lashes.
Applying Eye Liner
The technique you use to apply your liner will depend on the type of liner you choose.
Liquid Liner
Liquid liner is applied with a very fine tip brush and requires a
very steady hand to create a smooth line. Here are two eye makeup tips
to help your liner look its best:
- Provide support for your elbow while you are drawing your
lines. This will help keep your hand steadier, resulting in a better
line that doesn't wobble unevenly.
- You can also apply a thin line of a similar shade of eye
shadow along your lash lines, and then glide a thin line of liquid
liner over the top of it. This can help define your eyes, while at the
same time provide a little camouflage in case your lines aren't
perfect.
Pencil Liner
This type of liner is generally easier to apply, and you can use different techniques to vary the look.
- For very defined lines, sharpen your eye liner pencil before you apply.
- For softer lines, use your fingers to gently smudge the lines after application.
Tips for Applying Mascara
A critical factor in the application of mascara is selecting a high quality brand in the first place. You'll spend a
little more, but it's worth it for mascara that doesn't clump, flake or
run when wet.
- For the most natural look, brush mascara on just the outer tips
of your lashes. This still helps to define and deepen your lashes, but
it will barely look like you're wearing it.
- For a full, bold look, brush mascara on the entire length of
your lashes, and use an eyelash curler to curl your lashes away from
your eyes. The dramatic effect is especially great for evening looks.
Cleansing Tips
Soap and water is a bit too harsh for cleansing your delicate eye
area. To remove your eye makeup, use a cotton ball and an eye makeup
cleanser that is specially formulated to dissolve shadows, liner and
mascara. Use repeated gentle strokes rather than scrubbing your makeup
away, or you may damage your skin and lashes.
Conclusion
Applying eye makeup can be fun, but it also takes practice, so take
time to experiment with it at home until you find the colors and
techniques that make your eyes look their very best.
