Everyday Eyeshadow

With so many different eyeshadows and eye brushes to choose from, it can be very easy to get confused.  There are unlimited possibilities when it comes to eye looks, but when it comes to a neutral eye you could wear anywhere, here are my tips.

-Use an eyeshadow base, such as Urban Decay primer potion: http://www.sephora.com/eyeshadow-primer-potion-tube-original-P284716?skuId=1325547.  This will help the color stay on all day and prevent creasing.  Here, I chose to use a taupe-colored base from NYX in Iced Mocha to make the lid color pop a little more: http://www.ulta.com/ulta/browse/productDetail.jsp?skuId=2221058&productId=xlsImpprod2150066&navAction=push&navCount=1&categoryId=cat940003#sku2213618
-Pick out three shades: the medium shade goes on your lid, the darkest shade goes in your crease, and the lightest shade goes underneath your brow and on the inner corner of your eyes for a highlight.  Here, I am using a CoverGirl trio called Shimmering Sands, which conveniently has all three colors I need. http://www.covergirl.com/eye-makeup/eyeshadow/eye-enhancers-3-kit-eyeshadows
-Brushes make a difference.  You'll need:
         * A dense, flat brush for your lid.  My favorite is the Sigma E-55 eye shading brush sold here: http://www.sigmabeauty.com/product_p/e55.htm
         *A dome-shaped crease brush (optional for this look).  I like the one from Target (from their Up and Up brand).  It's black and says "crease".
         *A fluffy blending brush.  I like the Sigma E-40 tapered blending brush: http://www.sigmabeauty.com/product_p/e40.htm

Steps for easy, everyday eyeshadow:

1.  Load up your lid brush with the medium shade and pat (don't swipe!!) it onto your lid.  Pressing the color in will give you more payoff than swiping.  Swiping can also give you more fallout (e.g. more of a mess to clean up afterwards).  Bring this color up to where your crease starts.


2. If you have a crease brush, use that to deposit the darkest shade in your crease.  Go back and forth with a windshield wiper motion.  If you don't have a crease brush, use the tip of your lid brush (instead of the flat part) and pat the color into the crease.  Don't worry if it looks harsh--you will be blending it out later.


3. Use your ring finger to apply the lightest shade under your brow and on the inner corner of your eyes.  This is one step where your finger will work just as well as a brush.


4. Blend!! Use your fluffy brush with circular motions.  This step is super important when going for a smokier look with dark colors, but regardless of which colors you choose, blending always helps it look better.
          *You should not see any harsh lines with your crease color.  If you do, keep blending until they soften.

 

5. Finish off your look with liner and mascara... and... voila!