Something I put together
To help people on VF's fashion board, I thought I'd post it here too in case there are any people here unsure of what to do with their eye makeup. It's general help, tips etc to do with...eyemakeup! The stuff which would have been nice to be able to find all in one go when you start out. So enjoy, I hope!
X-posted.
I figured I'd compile something since I find myself and others repeating the same tips/ advise in the makeup picture thread :] This is all what I have picked up and what I follow, differing opinions and ideas are sure to exist, my word isn't law. If I've missed anything or you have anything I should add, I'dd edit the thread to add it later.
I'll explain a few things as I go through this tutorial.
First off, so you know where I'm referring to...
What You Will Need
At least 2 different shades/ colours of eyeshadow
Highlight eyeshadow
Base (I can't stress this enough)
An eyeshadow brush
For the whole look you'll also need...
Mascara
Liquid eyeliner
Pencil eyeliner
Small angle brush
Method
Firstly, apply your base. Right from the lid up to under your eyebrow.
What is base? Why use it? Eyeshadow base is something you apply before your eyeshadow (usually something designed for the job, concealer, foundation or a little bit of lipbalm) to stop your eyeshadow creasing, meaning it can look perfect all day. It also often makes the colours much bolder.
Now apply the lightest shade of your eyeshadow to the inner corner of your eye. You can simply use your fingers for this, or an eyeshadow brush to get the shape perfect. You don't need a perfect shape yet though....
Why the lightest shade on the inner corner? It "opens" your eyes, so to speak. Using a darker shade often makes your eyes look closer together than they are.
Are any brushes vital to my collection? I wouldn't say any brushes are vital but they can make your makeup's application greatly improve and give it that polished, professional look. You don't need to spend heaps, if you can, get a basic eyeshadow brush and small angle brush.
Now take your darker eyeshadow and apply it to the outer eyelid. Where it meets the lighter shade, drag it over a little with your finger or work it in with your eyeshadow brush. Don't worry if it isn't quite right yet, you can sort it out later.
My eyeshadow wont blend! Why?! Usually eyeshadows wont blend either because their textures are too different of because they're just too chalky. Also because you might just be clueless when it comes to technique! It's easy to learn though.
Now using your eyeshadow brush, apply the lighter colour from the inner crease to mid crease up to your browbone. Why take the colour up to your browbone? To put it simply, it looks better. More "finished".
Then using your darker shade, do the same working from your outer crease this time. Where the two shades meet, take the darker shade over the lighter a bit and work into it.
How should I shape the eyeshadow going up to my browbone? If you have very small eyes, shapes more than likely wont look right on you. Just blend well into some highlight. For larger eyes, basically follow the shape of your eyebrow, it should be higher up nearer your outer eyelid than inner.
Now it's time to use your highlight shade. Apply just above your two other colours (above the browbone) and up to under your eyebrow. Then take your eyeshadow brush and work the highlight into your 2 other shades lightly. Just imagine you're rubbing them together with the brush.
What is a highlight shade? Highlight shades "highlight" your browbone and eye makeup, all in all, they make your makeup look more finished and draw attention to your eyes ina subtle way. Highlight shades are often sheer, shimmery skintones, whites or champagne golds.
Finish it off with liquid liner, mascara, pencil liner and lining the lower lashline with a darker eyeshadow...
Do I need all of that? It's up to you, but they really do help to make your eyes stand out. It's really making the most of your eye makeup.
Complete!
Other simple colour placements include...(Yeah, mad photoplus skills!)
and...
What eyeshadow colour would suit my eye colour? Every colour of the rainbow and then some. No, really. What you need to "worry" about is your skin tone. If you have red/ yellow/ green undertones to your skin, wearing that colour eyeshadow isn't really advised. It will make your undertones stand out, making you look ill or a bit off colour in general.
Who makes decent eyeshadows/ bases? If you're on a budget (I sure as Hell am) the best you can get has to be Fyrinnae. I think it's about $5.60 for a pot of e/s and you can get samples too. They also sell eyeshadow base. If you're in the UK, check out Barry M at Superdrug and Boots, £4.50 a pot. Urban Decay sell a very popular eyeshadow base, "Primer potion" (£10.50). As do L'Oreal, with L'Oreal Decrease. Of course, many swear by MAC for pressed eyeshadow (usually £10) and pigments (usually £15).
Don't forget to care for your eyebrows either! They frame your eyes, and what's the point in having pretty eyeshadow when everyone will just be staring at monsterous eyebrows? If you're nervous about doing it yourself, get it done at a salon and keep them sorted using tweezers. It really isn't that hard, so no excuses. Here's something to help you out.
If you're unsure on anything, just ask.
X-posted.
I figured I'd compile something since I find myself and others repeating the same tips/ advise in the makeup picture thread :] This is all what I have picked up and what I follow, differing opinions and ideas are sure to exist, my word isn't law. If I've missed anything or you have anything I should add, I'dd edit the thread to add it later.
I'll explain a few things as I go through this tutorial.
First off, so you know where I'm referring to...
What You Will Need
At least 2 different shades/ colours of eyeshadow
Highlight eyeshadow
Base (I can't stress this enough)
An eyeshadow brush
For the whole look you'll also need...
Mascara
Liquid eyeliner
Pencil eyeliner
Small angle brush
Method
Firstly, apply your base. Right from the lid up to under your eyebrow.
What is base? Why use it? Eyeshadow base is something you apply before your eyeshadow (usually something designed for the job, concealer, foundation or a little bit of lipbalm) to stop your eyeshadow creasing, meaning it can look perfect all day. It also often makes the colours much bolder.
Now apply the lightest shade of your eyeshadow to the inner corner of your eye. You can simply use your fingers for this, or an eyeshadow brush to get the shape perfect. You don't need a perfect shape yet though....
Why the lightest shade on the inner corner? It "opens" your eyes, so to speak. Using a darker shade often makes your eyes look closer together than they are.
Are any brushes vital to my collection? I wouldn't say any brushes are vital but they can make your makeup's application greatly improve and give it that polished, professional look. You don't need to spend heaps, if you can, get a basic eyeshadow brush and small angle brush.
Now take your darker eyeshadow and apply it to the outer eyelid. Where it meets the lighter shade, drag it over a little with your finger or work it in with your eyeshadow brush. Don't worry if it isn't quite right yet, you can sort it out later.
My eyeshadow wont blend! Why?! Usually eyeshadows wont blend either because their textures are too different of because they're just too chalky. Also because you might just be clueless when it comes to technique! It's easy to learn though.
Now using your eyeshadow brush, apply the lighter colour from the inner crease to mid crease up to your browbone. Why take the colour up to your browbone? To put it simply, it looks better. More "finished".
Then using your darker shade, do the same working from your outer crease this time. Where the two shades meet, take the darker shade over the lighter a bit and work into it.
How should I shape the eyeshadow going up to my browbone? If you have very small eyes, shapes more than likely wont look right on you. Just blend well into some highlight. For larger eyes, basically follow the shape of your eyebrow, it should be higher up nearer your outer eyelid than inner.
Now it's time to use your highlight shade. Apply just above your two other colours (above the browbone) and up to under your eyebrow. Then take your eyeshadow brush and work the highlight into your 2 other shades lightly. Just imagine you're rubbing them together with the brush.
What is a highlight shade? Highlight shades "highlight" your browbone and eye makeup, all in all, they make your makeup look more finished and draw attention to your eyes ina subtle way. Highlight shades are often sheer, shimmery skintones, whites or champagne golds.
Finish it off with liquid liner, mascara, pencil liner and lining the lower lashline with a darker eyeshadow...
Do I need all of that? It's up to you, but they really do help to make your eyes stand out. It's really making the most of your eye makeup.
Complete!
Other simple colour placements include...(Yeah, mad photoplus skills!)
and...
What eyeshadow colour would suit my eye colour? Every colour of the rainbow and then some. No, really. What you need to "worry" about is your skin tone. If you have red/ yellow/ green undertones to your skin, wearing that colour eyeshadow isn't really advised. It will make your undertones stand out, making you look ill or a bit off colour in general.
Who makes decent eyeshadows/ bases? If you're on a budget (I sure as Hell am) the best you can get has to be Fyrinnae. I think it's about $5.60 for a pot of e/s and you can get samples too. They also sell eyeshadow base. If you're in the UK, check out Barry M at Superdrug and Boots, £4.50 a pot. Urban Decay sell a very popular eyeshadow base, "Primer potion" (£10.50). As do L'Oreal, with L'Oreal Decrease. Of course, many swear by MAC for pressed eyeshadow (usually £10) and pigments (usually £15).
Don't forget to care for your eyebrows either! They frame your eyes, and what's the point in having pretty eyeshadow when everyone will just be staring at monsterous eyebrows? If you're nervous about doing it yourself, get it done at a salon and keep them sorted using tweezers. It really isn't that hard, so no excuses. Here's something to help you out.
If you're unsure on anything, just ask.