How To Apply Eye Makeup:
A Step-by-Step Guide

A Step-by-Step Guide On How To Apply Eye Makeup

Eyeshadow primer allows your eyeshadow to go on more smoothly and stay on longer. It also helps hide any blue or red tones on your eyelids caused by veins. According to makeup artists, the best eyeshadow primers are opaque, match your skin tone and dry to a matte finish.

How to apply eyeshadow primer: Use your finger to pat eyeshadow primer from your upper eyelash line to the base of your brow bone; basically covering everywhere the eyeshadow will go. Try: NARS Pro-Prime Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base ($23).

Step 2: Apply eyeshadow

To brighten up your eyes use a neutral-toned cream eyeshadow on your eyelids. Apply the eyeshadow from your lash line to just above your eyelid crease using a flat eyeshadow brush. For light to medium skin, try Shiseido Hydro-Powder Eye Shadow in Glistening Sand ($25). For darker skin tones, try Shiseido Hydro-Powder Eye Shadow in Tiger Eye ($25).

To give your eyes sexy depth use two different colored powder eyeshadows (powder eyeshadows are best for layering). For the base, use a warm-toned pale color like a muted peach or champagne dusted from your lash line to your brow bone Try: Revlon Luxurious Color Perle Eyeshadow in Brushed Copper or Sunlit Sparkle ($5). Then, using a blender brush, apply a deeper shade along your upper lash line. Then blend it upward to your crease, gradually getting lighter, for a wash of color over the entire lid. Continue blending up and outward toward your temple. Stop about 1/4-inch beyond the outer edge of your eye. Use a Q-tip to fix any mistakes. For a smoky eye effect, use a shade that is at least two shades darker than your base like chocolate or bronze, for example. Try: Dior 1-Colour Ultra-Smoothing High Impact Eyeshadow in Gold Touch or Brown Fever ($28.50).

Step 3: Apply eyeliner

The key to making eyelashes look thick and beautiful is to apply eyeliner. It is essential for defining your lashes. When you darken the skin-tone spaces between each individual eyelash you create a denser looking lash line. But what type of eyeliner should you use? Creams, gels, liquids or pencils?

The simple answer to this question is pencil. A pencil eyeliner is easy to control, is soft and blendable, and can be used safely on both the outer and inner rims of your eyes. (Hint: To eliminate germs and help prevent an infection, sharpen the eyeliner pencil before lining the inside rims of your eyes.) In general, you should only line the outer rims of your eyelids (top and bottom) for daytime wear. Select either a brown or black liner, but be aware that black on bottom can be a little harsh for a day look so it is best to just use black on top. For nighttime, line the inner rims of your eyes to make them stand out. Try: bareMinerals Big & Bright Eyeliner Pencils ($14) in Chocolate or Intense Black.

How to apply pencil eyeliner: Beginning at the outer corner of your eye, place the eyeliner pencil in your lashes and glide it slowly across your upper eyelid to the inner corner of your eye. To help prevent the eyeliner from skipping, gently stretch and hold the outer corner of your eye with your fingertip to keep the lid taut. (See our article "How To Apply Pencil Eyeliner To Create Enviable Eyes" for more information.)

Step 4: Apply mascara

Mascara lifts, seperates and enhances your lashes, as well as helps to add length, thickness, and definition to them. (Hint: To avoid smearing, use a waterproof formula on your lower eyelashes.) While everyone knows that black is dramatic and beautiful, consider using brown for a softer, more natural daytime look. Brown mascara also works well on women with fair skin or women who have short, sparse lashes.

The type of lashes you have determines which mascara is right for you. In fact, the mascara itself is not as important as the mascara wand that is used to apply it. A fat brush tends to deposit color only on the eyelash tips, while a regular brush (one that is not curved or chunky) gets close to the lash roots and sweeps color evenly out to the tips. To find out which mascara is best for your type of lashes, read our article "The Best Mascara For Your Lash Type". For best results, apply one coat of mascara, let it dry, then apply a second coat. See our article "Guide To Applying and Removing Mascara" for more information.

There you have it. Who knew applying eye makeup could be so simple. If you liked this step-by-step guide on how to apply eye makeup, please share it : )