Ask any makeup enthusiast about the best way to add a pop of colour to her eyes, and she will faithfully point towards her eyeshadow palettes even before the question is over. Dressing up your eyelids with an assortment of makeup eyeshadow products is the most fun way to brighten up dull days.
If you’re a sucker for vibrant eyelids but don’t how to apply eyeshadow, here’s the ultimate shadow bible. But before we dig right into our eyeshadow tutorial, let’s start with basic information about different parts of your eye. This is something that you should be thorough with before starting the crash course on eyeshadow makeup.
Types Of Eye Shapes
Next up, we’re gonna talk about different types of eyes. Not only will this section help you recognize your eye shape, but also memorize easy eyeshadow makeup tips that will take the result a notch higher.
1. Almond Eyes
Easily one of the most desired eye shapes, almond eyes are oval shaped with slightly upturned outer corners, mimicking the appearance of an almond. Super-symmetrical, this is a universal pair that complements all eye makeup looks.
Eyeshadow Makeup Tip: Since you’re one lucky woman, all styles and colors suit you. Try a classic nude smokey eye with a matte base and a darker color blended into your eye crease. This eyeshadow makeup look will further accentuate your almond eyes.
2. Hooded Eyes
When you can’t fully see the eye crease, be very sure that you’ve got hooded eyes. The skin extending from your brow bone sags a little and the upper fold of your eye drops very close to your lash line.
Eyeshadow Makeup Tip: Since most of your eyelid doesn’t show when your eyes are open (we know it’s upsetting), avoid using light colors and go for darker, matte formulas instead. Also, get creative and create an illusion of greater lid space by extending your shadow all the way up to the brow bone.
3. Round Eyes
If you can see your whole iris without any obstruction by your upper lid, say hello to big, round eyes. Since they are going to draw attention, no matter what, you might as well make the most of your large lids and larger eyeshadow palettes.
Eyeshadow Makeup Tip: Contouring your big, round peepers seems like a plan here. Use a matte formula on the inner and outer corners of your eye and then add a metallic formula in the center to make your eyes pop. Also highlight the inner corner of your eyes to use light to your advantage.
4. Monolids
We know it sucks to not have a natural eye crease but look at the brighter side, you’re a creaseless beauty! Since you have a rather flatter plane, this is your opportunity to get creative and create the illusion of a natural crease with the help of makeup.
Eyeshadow Makeup Tip: A great way to add dimension to a monolid is to go for a gradient effect, with seamless color transitions of course. Avoid shadows with brown or red tones since they can make your lids look swollen. Use a soft, crease brush and a light-brown matte formula to fake the eye crease. Also, since eyeshadow makeup doesn’t last long on monolids, never skip the eye primer.
5. Deep-set Eyes
This pair of eyes is basically larger and set deeper into the skull, creating the illusion of a more prominent brow bone. Usually referred to as sunken eyes, such lids tend to draw shadows and have a darker appearance.
Eyeshadow Makeup Tip: To fade out the shadows, get an eye primer to the task. Set it with loose powder to help further tone down the discoloration. Steer clear of dark, smokey looks and high shimmer shadows that can make your eyes look even more sullen. Instead, stick to neutral colors in semi-matte formulas to bring light to the lid area.
We know how daunting it can be to figure your way into the universe of eye makeup brushes but relax, ‘cause that’s exactly why we’re here. We’ve listed four basic eyeshadow brushes perfect for every beginner.
1. Flat eyeshadow brush
Stiff, densely packed bristles, perfect for picking up a lot of product and packing it onto your upper lid. This is the ideal pick if you want to pack an intense shot of color in one go. Also, since it’s shaped in a semi-circle, it conforms to the natural shape of your lid.
Nykaa Recommends: Nykaa BlendPro Eyeshadow Application Makeup Brush
2. Eyeshadow blending brush
Consider this as the master magician, the one that does most of the job. This one’s a fluffy, dome-shaped brush that helps diffuse harsh pigment, while the long bristles ensure a smooth transition of color. Love smokey eyes? Get your own hands on this one!
Nykaa Recommends: Nykaa BlendPro Eyeshadow Blending Makeup Brush
3. Angled brush
Short, firm bristles, tightly packed in an angle, this is the brush that you need to create a winged eyeshadow look. The angled, flat edge helps create defined lines and packs pigment close to the lash line
Nykaa Recommends: Nykaa BlendPro Angular Eye Shadow Makeup Brush
4. Smudging brush
Short, stiff bristles with a thick head that fits right against the lash line, the smudging brush works great for your eyelids and waterline as well. Be it cream formulas or powder pigments, it’s slightly rounded edge smudges like a treat.
Nykaa Recommends: SAVI Smoothing & Smudging Brush
1. Powder Eyeshadow
The easiest to use of all makeup eyeshadow products, powder eyeshadow is super blendable and highly pigmented. Classified into loose powder and pressed powder, such eyeshadows are the ideal pick if you’re aiming at a look with multiple layers.
Nykaa Recommends: Nykaa Just Wink It! - Wet & Dry Eyeshadow Palette
2. Cream Eyeshadow
Such eyeshadow formulations come in the form of pencils, pots, or crayons. Thanks to their creamy texture, this family of eyeshadows offer intense color payoffs. However, don’t apply them on oily eyelids or on sweaty days, or mix them with their contemporaries.
Nykaa Recommends: NYX Professional Makeup Vivid Brights Crème Colour
3. Liquid Eyeshadow
Liquid eyeshadows are bottled in sleek tubes, just like lip glosses. Easy to play around and layer with, they dry super soon so might have to quicken the application process by a bit. We’d advise you to stay away from liquid formulations if you have oily lids, since it could lead to creasing.
Nykaa Recommends: Nicka K Radiant Liquid Eye Shadow
4. Glitter Eyeshadow
These shimmer bottles are for experimental women who don’t fear going the extra mile with makeup. A major eye makeup hit across the globe, hypnotize peeps every time you bat an eyelid at that crazy, boozey all-nighter.
Nykaa Recommends: Wet n Wild Color Icon Eyeshadow Glitter Single
Seal The Shadow
Since most women still haven’t found the right answer to how to apply eyeshadow step by step, here’s an eyeshadow tutorial that will save your day.
1. Since the look is all about playing around with your eyelid, an eye primer is of super importance here since it removes any discoloration and enhances the intensity of colors. It also smoothens the texture of your lids so that the products blend effortlessly.
2. Next up, pick up an eyeshadow palette of your choice and start the layering. You can choose from a wide variety of formulations and textures, depending on what look you’re aiming for – matte, shimmer, satin, frost, or glitter. Start the application from the centre of the lid and sweep it towards both the inner and outer corners. Use darker shades of the palette at the crease to define the eye shape and lighter ones at the centre to give it the correct color pop. If you want to highlight the brow bone, go for the lighter shades and blend softly.
3. Once you’re done with the shadow, get your hands on the eyeliner and line away. You can choose a subtle style or go for a killer winged liner.
4. Now fish out your favourite kajal and line the waterline.
5. Lastly, pick out the mascara and lash out your lashes ‘cause no eye makeup look is complete without enviable lashes.
You Ask, We Answer
Now that our tutorial about how to use eyeshadow is over, let’s focus on some of the most frequently asked questions about the world of eyeshadows.
Q. I love applying eyeshadows but get confused about which colors to select for which look. Please help.
A. This could be tricky, but you’ll get the hang of it in practice. Dig into the softer pinks, nudes, and browns for a daytime or office look and go with the more bolder hues from the palettes, like slate greys and electric blues for a high-on-glam night look.
Q. I always get confused while selecting the eye shadow colors. Should it match the color of my eyes or my clothes?
A. Going way too matchy-matchy is now a thing of the past and totally out of style. Experiment with colors that complement the color of your eyes and your clothes, instead of matching them. The overall look should be synchronized and flattering.
Q. I tried applying eyeshadow after completing my base makeup. But since I use powder eyeshadows, some product also ends up on my cheeks, making me redo my base. What should I do?
A. To prevent this from happening, we suggest you always complete your eye makeup first before proceeding with the rest of your face. If you still want to do it the other way around, opt for cream or liquid-based products.
Q. How to put on eyeshadow if it a glitter product?
A. It’s easy to master this application technique; you just need to dip and dab. Use water or setting spray as a base, dip your eyeshadow brush into the glitter pot, dust off the excess and dab it straight onto the lids. Repeat this a few times for required intensity.
Q. I have hooded eyes, which is why any eyeshadow makeup does not show. Please advise.
A. Many women have this question about how to apply eyeshadow on hooded eyes. Here are your eyeshadow tips. It's best to apply makeup with your eyes open, because it can be hard to find your natural crease with your eyes closed.
