HOW TO APPLY EYESHADOW PERFECTLY

Eyeshadow can add colour and definition to your eyes and many gorgeous looks can be achieved if using the right colours and techniques. One of the biggest dilemmas for many women is knowing how many eyeshadows to use, and when more are needed. Here is our rough guide to how to use eyeshadows for an everyday look.

SINGLE
One colour, often neutral, can be used to even out skin tone and create a base on the eyelids in preparation for more colours. One colour can also be used to brighten the eyes. This may be a cream, beige or soft pink shade. If you wear eyeliner, you may not wish to wear more than one subtle eyeshadow colour to keep the look more natural. Some women choose to wear a bolder, brighter colour such as purple to complement clothing or for a more dramatic look. One colour is easy to apply with a flat, rounded eyeshadow brush.

DUO
Two colours can be worn for extra definition and to create a fuller, more rounded eye shape. Beige and brown; light blue and dark blue; silver and charcoal; light pink and dark pink, are just some of the colours which work well together.

STEP 1
Apply the lightest colour all over the eyelids using a flat, rounded eyeshadow brush.

STEP 2
Using an angled eyeshadow brush work the darkest colour from the far outer corner of your eyelids around the crease of your eyelid to about midway, forming a V shape.

STEP 3
Using a large, flat blending brush, blend the two colours together and soften the eyeshadow where the two colours meet. Finish the look with your choice of eyeliner and mascara.

TRIO
Three colours can be used to add greater colour, depth and definition to a look. Usually you will use a light, medium and dark colour. For example, this could be cream, beige and brown; silver, grey and charcoal; silver, light blue and navy; beige, gold and bronze; or white, pink and plum.

STEP 1
Apply the lightest colour all over the eyelids and up to the brow bone using a large flat, rounded eyeshadow brush. This is called the highlight. (Optional).

STEP 2
Apply the medium colour across the eyelid using a flat, rounded eyeshadow brush.

STEP 3
Using an angled eyeshadow brush work the darkest colour from the far outer corner of your eyelids around the crease of your eyelid to about midway, forming a V shape.

STEP 4
Using a large, flat blending eyeshadow brush blend the medium and dark colours together and soften the shadow where the two colours meet.

STEP 5
Using a small, flat, rounded eyeshadow brush and using the lightest shade, dab a vertical line in the centre of your eyelids in order to create a central highlight which will catch the light adding dimension to your colour. (Optional).
Finish the look with your choice of eyeliner and mascara. To find out how to change your eye makeup from a day to night time look, read our article .

MAKING YOUR EYESHADOW LAST LONGER
There are a number of ways to make your eyeshadow last longer. Firstly you could
apply some loose or pressed powder to your eyelids to help set your eyeshadow. Some brands sell special cream makeup bases which can be used to set all types of eyeshadow. Estee Lauder's Double Wear Stay-in Place Eyeshadow Base is particularly good and works well under
both powder and cream eyeshadows. Another way to make your eyeshadow last longer includes using a cream or crayon eyeshadow underneath a powder eyeshadow.