Everyday eyeshadow
I thought it would be fun to showcase some of my favorite beauty products and easy how-tos on the Fashion page, starting with my favorite eyeshadow technique. I want to preface this by saying I don’t know a ton about makeup, and have a pretty easy routine. But, there are two things I (think I?) know how to do fairly well: eyes and hair. I credit the latter to the madre, who is always teaching me new tips and tricks, and the eye know-how from my years working at the men’s fragrance counter at Dillard’s.
I quickly became friends with the makeup girls, since we were near each other and would often trade samples. A girl from MAC begged to do my eye makeup one day -I guess my sad eyeliner technique was scaring her- and in the process taught me how to put on eyeshadow. For starters, I never wore eyeshadow above the lid, which always left me looking a little sleepy.
Here’s my version of the diagram she made me:
(Yes, I’m secretly an artist haha)
And some photos of the steps:
1) Put a primer or neutral color on your entire lid. I’ll just dab a little concealer to even out the color.
2) Sweep a very light color all over your entire eye. Any neutral will do– it’s also fun to play with light shimmery colors on the lid itself.
3) Next, color the outer part above the lid slightly darker, making a sideways “V” shape. Here I’ll sometimes bring it underneath the outside of the lower lash line for a smokey look.
4) Then, using your darkest color, use this to create your “shadow” which helps to open up the eyes.
5) Blend, blend and blend using a small brush or a cotton swab.
6) Add eyeliner, mascara (if you’d like) and boom! Beautiful everyday eyes.
Here’s my all-time favorite eyeshadow palette:
I love that some have a slight sparkle to them, like this brown by Laura Mercier,
and MAC “shroom” for the light all-over color. (Which is lost because I have a tiny ninja constantly rearranging my makeup drawer.)
Do you have any eye makeup tips and tricks? Who makes your favorite eyeshadow?
Random: I never wear mascara, unless it’s a special occasion. I feel like it makes my eyelashes bald and goopy.
xoxo
Gina
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The best eye makeup tip I received was to wiggle the brush (from the base to the tips of lashes) when applying mascara. It helps separate and lengthen. 🙂
Best tip: build color, don’t just pack a bunch on the brush and swipe the way I used to, haha.
It’s funny you say that about mascara; that is my most-used cosmetic! Even if I don’t put on any other makeup, I always wear mascara or I feel naked. It’s probably all in my mind, I guess everyone has their own beauty quirk. 😉
Me, too. Mascara is a must.
I can’t imagine not wearing mascara — my lashes are so pale that you can’t really see them without it 🙂
Oooo I love this! I am terrible at doing my own eye makeup!
This is actually super helpful! I love the palate too, such gorgeous shades xo
This is my favorite daily eyeshadow too! I like the sparkle but subdued colors.
This is so, so helpful. I can’t do hair or makeup for the life of me, so I appreciate any help I can get!
You make it look easy, there’s a reason why my friends always want to do my makeup for me. 😉
This was super helpful! Thanks so much Gina! Can’t wait to go out this weekend and try these tips out!
Um that’s my exact favorite eye shadow box as well! A couple of my colors are just about gone and I’m dying. I also love Mac for all over base and while shroom is my second fave, ricepaper is my number one pick. I actually worked at both the men’s fragrance counters and at The Clinique counter all through college. You learn so much working those counters!!!
I never wear eyeshadow or liner, I just can’t master it without it looking severe. But I LOVE mascara. I have those lashes that just disappear without it.
Adored this! Current fave eyeshadows are Maybelline Color Tattoo in Bad to the Bronze, MAC Satin Taupe and Urban Decay Mushroom. I never appreciated mascara before either, until I tried Maybelline’s The Rocket mascara.
I love that Laura Mercier shimmy color too. Another fave is Nars orgasm. Love! They have an all-over face color that doubles as a blush and eyeshadow. Also Stila kitten is one of my faves too. It’s another great shimmy with rosy peach tones. You should check it out!
I love MAC – but I get an allergic reaction once in a while which is a bummer.
The best tip I got is to draw the eyeliner underneath your lashes (the bottom ones) – it makes your eyes look bigger. I used to draw it on the inside, but that makes them smaller.
Ohh that looks so pretty! I love it!
I’m amazed you don’t have to use mascara! It’s my go-to..I actually can’t wear eyeshadow/eyeliner without it. I was so desperate for it on a night out with friends that I bought a basic drugstore brand at our hotel’s gift shop for like $20 (Atlantic City inflation ;P) If you’re worried about clumps, I highly recommend Benefit They’re Real or CoverGirl Lash Blast.
I love the Too Faced palettes…my favorite is the Romantic. As far as tricks go, I like filling in the upper waterline for a smokier look (tricky at first, but you get used to it) and using a dab of Nars illuminator on the browbone. And though I rarely take the time to fill in my brows, I always think that extra step makes your eyes pop so much more in pictures 🙂
Naked 2 by urban decay is my faaaavorite makeup palette! I use it every. single. day.
Also, I never buy actual eyeliner anymore. I use an eyeliner brush with dark eyeshadow.
I hate putting on liner or eyeshadow but I wear mascara any time I’m leaving the house! I have dark hair and blond eyelashes, so mascara is a must. I’ve always loved Maybelline Full and Soft and have been using it since 9th grade (and I’m 31 now!), but it’s getting harder to find so I think they are phasing it out. I need to start looking for an alternative.
I love doing eye makeup! I have a friend who is a makeup artist so I’m always learning new tricks. One of my favorite tricks is to put white eyeliner on your lower eye lids (did anyone else do this with black eyeliner when you were a teenager and thought it was cool… please tell me I’m not the only one). It makes your eye whites look larger and is a great trick to use for pictures!
I go simple- CoverGirl all the way!
Too Faced Shadow Insurance is an absolute must – it seriously makes your eyeshadow last ALL DAY, and I cannot live without it. They’ve come out with a few formulations, but I go with the “original” one. I highly suggest it!
I love this! I’m horrible at doing eye makeup but I think I can do this… fingers crossed! You look beautiful! You don’t even need mascara!
thank you! let me know how it turns out 🙂