HOW TO APPLY EYESHADOW
EXPERT TIPS & TUTORIALS
Eyeshadow is SO FUN. It's colorful, it's textural, it's tactile and it's transformative. And although it's trend-driven, you can carbon date any decade by checking out what eyeshadow look all the kids were wearing, a smokey eye or clean nude lid that's popular now will likely be popular 50 years in the future.
HOW TO APPLY EYESHADOW - POWDER FORMAT
Eyeshadow used to come in one form: powder. And powder eyeshadow is still the most popular format of eyeshadow. It’s silky, stays put, comes in, no joke, every single color, shade, finish and depth you could possibly imagine. It’s the professional makeup artist’s favorite for its versatility and range.
When you want to play with makeup, there’s no better place to start than with a big, gorgeous eyeshadow palette. They do require (for the most part) at least one eyeshadow brush to apply. If you’re in the market for more complex looks, multiple brushes (thin or thick, brushes for dark shades, brushes for light ones) will be called for.Be sure not to load up your brush with color when applying—whisk the brush across the shadow 2-3 times then tap off any excess powder in a clean tissue before brushing onto lids from the inner to the outer corner of the eyes. Voila! Eyeshadow, applied.
HOW TO APPLY EYESHADOW - CREAM FORMAT
Cream shadows, like our Color Tattoo Up To 24 Hr Longwear Cream Eyeshadow, are a newer, and more finger-friendly form of eye color. These slick-on easily and just require a bit of buffing into lids with a clean finger. You can layer them to build intensity, or stick with one light wash for a natural kiss of color.
Another option to explore are cream-to-powder formats, like our Color Strike Cream-To-Powder Eyeshadow Pen. . Simply swipe the cushion tip across the lid to deposit a rich layer of smooth, even color across eyes. Because you don’t need a brush or finger to apply, this format is the most travel/grab-and-go friendly!
HOW TO CHOOSE EYESHADOW COLOR?
Everyone looks good in beiges, creams and browns—which is why you’ll see a million amazing eye shadows out there in those shades, like our Nudes of New York Eyeshadow Palette. A good basic trio of eye shadow colors to have is 1) a neutral, nude tone that matches your skin, 2) a paler neutral shade to use along the brow bone and as a highlighter, and 3) a dark neutral shade to use as a liner or to create darker, sultrier looks. These three simple light-medium-dark shades are the cornerstone of almost any look out there.
Try on all of our eyeshadow shades today with our Virtual Try On tool.
WHERE DO YOU APPLY EYESHADOW?
Every eyeshadow application starts on the eyelid. Always apply to closed lids to ensure nothing gets into eyes. The first shade you apply, whether you’re working with creams or powders, should be a neutral shade that matches your skin tone. Always prime your full eyelid with a layer of neutral shadow to even out skin tone and give shadows a base to cling onto. Eyelids can be a bit moist, and a base is needed to keep color smooth and even. This is true even if you’re attempting a non-neutral look.