This is Part 5 of Make up 101, a series of posts for beginners on how to apply makeup. You can read the rest of the series here.
Eye shadow is used to create more depth in the eyelid, making your eyes look wide set. That was the very first idea of it, anyway!
Today, eyeshadow can do just about everything, from really contouring your eyes, or just being creative with different colors and styles. With many makeup applications, there are many different ways to apply it to create different looks. This is make up 101, however, so this is the absolute basics of eyeshadow application.
After blush, eyeshadow is one of the things I had no idea what to do. I’d apply it to both eyelids, and hope for the best! After purchasing the M.A.C. Color Forms brush set, the angular eyeshadow brush really helped in placing exactly where to place the shadow on your lids.
So tip number one:
Get a proper eyeshadow brush! (Or as many as you want.) 
Application:
- Tap the brush to the eyeshadow lightly to pick up some color. Don’t pick up too much – it will run all over your face!
- Swipe it on your eyelids. Start at the inner corners of your eyelids, then applying small stroke towards the outer edges.
- One trick I used in the beginning – use your brush and literally ‘feel’ your eyeball underneath your eyelid. It will create the perfect shading.
- Take a step back and look in the mirror to see that it looks somewhat even! What I do is slightly blend everything with my finger.
Recommended Products:
M.A.C. eye shadows - Without a doubt, they really are one of the best I’ve ever tried. (I’m sure many will agree!) They have tons of colors, have great staying power, and are not insanely priced.
Bobbi Brown eye shadows - queen of neutrals, as they say! My friend swears by Bobbi Brown shadows. They really do have the best, natural looking shades. (At left.)
Palettes – If you’re just starting out, I’d recommend getting an eye shadow palettes of neutral, natural colors to practice on. That way, you’d know what colors suit what. I highly recommend Revlon’s evlon ColorStay 12 Hour Eyeshadow Quad (which won in the Allure reader choice awards!)
Further help:
- How to Apply Eye Shadow by About Beauty
- Eye shadow tips to enhance your eyelid shape from Wild About Makeup
- Eye shadow tips and tricks from Beauty Den
I hope this helps! If you have any other eyeshadow tips or links to better resources, I’d love to hear them, and I’m sure they’d be a great help to other readers!
Photo by Antigone
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{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
have tried using many brands of eye shadow and have to agree with you that the Bobbi Browqn eyeshadows are simply one of the best. I was thinking of getting some palettes soon and your recommedation of the eye shadow palettes of netral, natural colors is indeed very practical and helpful. Thank you, Beauty Fool, you’re the best!!!!!!!!!!!
yup; neutrals are good for begiinners. for a full year I use beiges, light browns. Very simple and defnied eyes greatly. After that I was really good so now i can use any bold colors
Oh, one more thing. Another good for neutrals is l’oreal. They have a beautiful champagne peach I used for AGES til i got it right
Ruth, thanks so much! You are so sweet … Bobbi Brown should definitely be your first stop. I’m sure the sales lady will help you out.
Kat – I believe L’Oreal make palettes too? They don’t sell L’Oreal palette here
Totally agree on the “neutral palette” recommendation. I used the one by Dior. it was too pretty to pass up and i have used it for So many years now. It was worth it!
I’m very interested in Dior palettes – I hear it’s used on the red carpet a lot because it’s long lasting, etc. I’m gonna save up and try to get one!
to have long lasting eyeshadow, always apply a thin amount of foundation to your eyelid. this should always be set then by a base colour the same colour as your skin. this is much better than using your face powder as it is thicker and therefore much easier to blend any colours into, which you should always do. i know for beginners starting with neutrals is good, but depth is too, so you should choose two colours that you like, then smooth the lightest one on your eyelid up to the crease and blend. then take the darker colour and apply just along your lash line. then add eyeliner and mascara as you like.
Thanks for your tips, TeeJay. I agree with your tip on making your eyeshadow last longer. I do agree depth is important too, but like you said (and like I said haha) this is for complete beginners. Maybe I should write another post on the other eyeshadow techniques; there are so many!