Top Tips for Applying Eyeshadow (Complete Guide)

If you are not sure how to apply your eyeshadow, you have come to the right place. Eyeshadow is a makeup that will enhance and improve any look, and add finishing touches. But like with most makeup, it requires the product and the right application method for it to look perfect.

There are many different application techniques for eyeshadow, and in this article, we will share everything you need to know about eyeshadow.

First, you have to choose the right eye shadow palette for your eye color, then you have to figure out how to use all different shades properly.

A Guide to Eyeshadow

Firstly, a general tip is to use more dramatic shades for the evening and lighter shades for the day.

Use a primer (and using brushes)

First, apply a primer before applying eye shadow if you want it to last all day. This is important because the primer holds the eyeshadow in place and keeps it looking flawless all day and all night. The primer works as a glue which helps the eye shadow sit better, and is easier to apply.

You can use your finger to apply a primer, some people who always use the primer usually use a brush for this.

Assuming you use a brush, a tip is to shake the brush slightly before you apply the eye shadow because if you have too much product on the brush, it risks falling down under the eyes and on your cheeks.

Applying eye shadow

The most important part about an eye shadow brush is that it is quite compact. Because a too soft and fluffy brush will not get as much pigment as necessary.

Toning out eye shadow

To tone out the applied eye shadow, use a brush that is soft yet compact enough to be able to move the pigment.

With a primer, the pigment will fasten very well, which can make it difficult to get a soft toning, because the more you use the brush, the more pigment will get stuck. To solve this, after you have applied the primer, take powder and brush in the edge where the toning should be. This allows for a much better and faster toning out.

If you want a lighter tone right at the inner side of your eyelid, it is much more difficult to get a soft and even transition between light and dark shadow, compared to if you put a medium-dark color in between.

If you have applied with a rounded brush and fixed the primer with powder on the edges before you applied the eye shadow, the toning out will be the easiest since the edge on the eye shadow will be rather soft. Put the brush right at the edge of the eye shadow and swipe back and forth with the brush. Don’t work the brush upwards since the shadow will move closer and closer to the eyebrow and it can risk getting sticky. Let the brush to the job.

Choose a color

Eyeshadow palettes include a wide array of colors. Some palettes have neutral and basic shades, but others have bolder and more vibrant colors.  A good tip, for the most part, is to choose a neutral shade on your eyeshadow palette. In essence, this means an eyeshadow that doesn’t stand out too much and matches your skin tone relatively well.

However, there are different cases when you may want to use bolder colors. This especially includes when you want to do a party makeup. The key here is really to experiment and try to see what colors suit you well Generally, if you have light skin and bright eyes, bold eyeshadow colors may be difficult to pull off. You may, therefore, suit better with a lighter shade.

Why is this step important? The neutral color of the shadow is the main shadow base, from which you build the rest of your shadow.

A tip is to avoid the sponge applicator that is sometimes included in certain palettes. The best tool for applying eyeshadow is a medium-sized eyeshadow brush. If you want, you can even apply eye shadow using your fingers, but we advise you to stick with a brush.

The single most important thing when choosing the color for an eye shadow is the color of your eyes. Different colors can accentuate your eye colors, whereas others will not match well with your eyes. Below, we share which eye colors match with which eye shadow.

Eye shadow for green eyes

• Gold
• Purple
• orange
• red
• copper
• brown tones

Eye shadow for green eyes

• Gold
• Grey
• Pink
• Peachy tones

Add a highlighter

If you feel your eyes still need more color, you can pick the brightest color in the palette and blend it. Stay away from dark shades here.

Think of your eyelids as a rainbow, blending from light to dark to bright again. If you watch makeup application videos, you will see how important blending is when it comes to eyeshadow. Both eyelids must match and you want the colors to look like a rainbow, which blends seamlessly from light to dark and glows again.

Furthermore, light eyeshadow right below the brow will really add the perfect finishing touch to your eye shadow look.

Use a light eyeshadow

To open the eyes, press your forefinger in the lightest color of the palette, and then tap the inner corner of the eye. This is the make-up artist’s secret to make the eyes look wider. Nothing will make your eyes wake up like this trick. Don’t use this trick all the time, but it’s great for special parties and evenings. Always use your index finger here. You don’t want to use too much color.

Where to apply eye shadow

So where on your eyelids should you apply eye shadow? How high up should this be? Oftentimes, you raise your eyebrows a lot when you apply, and this can make it difficult to see how high up you should apply it. A tip to applying the eye shadow is to apply it just above the eye globe creak. This way, it will come so high up that it is visible even when you are looking, and the makeup will be much softer when the toning doesn’t end up inside the creak.