When you’re just starting out with eyeshadow it can be pretty difficult to manage, but once you get the hang of it, it’s actually the simplest way to add some glamour to your day to day outfits. Whether you’re a total makeup beginner or you’re looking to expand your pre-existing skill set, we can all learn a couple of tricks of the trade to up our game a little. Follow these eyeshadow basics that everyone needs to know in order to create a range of stunning makeup looks on the daily…
Blended Wash
A blended wash of gorgeous colour is the easiest place to start when you begin your creative eyeshadow career. The key to getting this look right is picking a blendable shadow that’s in a flatter, neutral shimmer tone. For your first attempt, try opting for a colour that’s two or three tones darker or lighter than your natural skin colour – this is going to be the best shade to create a halo-like effect on your eyelids. Grab a natural hair shadow blend brush, dab into your shadow and start from the centre of your lid, wash backwards and forwards smoothly without adding any more product. This creates a beautiful, natural wash that looks stunning on every eye shadow.
Blended Crease
A blended crease shadow adds dimension to your socket, perfect for carving a doe-eyed shape. Start with a wash of shadow in your skin tone, or your favourite face powder if you don’t have one handy. Next, take a light taupe, brown or mauve tone and use a pencil shadow brush. Nestle your brush into the natural crease of your eyelid, start in the centre and swipe back and forth to define your crease perfectly. You can drag back onto your lash line at the outer corner of your eye if you want to buff in a little more drama.
Soft Liner
Use an angled liner brush and dip it into your favourite chocolate brown, navy or charcoal black shadow. Drag your brush along your upper lash line as if you would with your regular liner. Smudge slightly with a pointed pencil brush for a soft and sultry look. Prefer a sharp liner instead? Damp your angled liner brush before you use it for a crisp, clean line that is so much easier to create than it is with a liquid liner.
Cat Key
For a cat eyeliner impact, use the same wet angled brush method from the last look. Start by establishing the flick at the outer corner of your eye. The best way to find the perfect angle for your eye shape is to hold the handle of your brush to the base of your nose, it will angle up to the corner of your eye and show you where your flick should fall. Drag your brush from the corner of your flick down to the base of your lash line, connect with a thicker line and finish by defining the rest of your lash line and you’re done!
Soft and Smokey
A smokey eye is a total classic, and actually not that hard to achieve once you get a bit of practice behind you. Get the perfect base by scribbling your kohl liner onto your lids and blending it back and forth before it sets. Layer on a soft grey in a shimmer formula using the blended wash method. Next, add your blended crease in a matte taupe, mauve or grey. Finish using the soft liner technique in black for the perfect classic smokey eye.
Ready to try these essential makeup looks out? Explore eyeshadow palettes in Australia to grab a collection of stunning shades to get creative with.
