Eyeshadow, is a makeup product that instantly enhances the eyes, and defines a makeup look. What would a nude lip be without a smokey eye?! Besides adding beautiful colors and finishes to the eye, eyeshadow can totally change its shape, depending on how you apply it. This is where helpful eyeshadow tutorials come in.
While eyeshadow usually looks great, even when haphazardly applied with an untrained finger, you’ll want to learn how to properly apply eyeshadow, step by step, to really reap the benefits of knowing how to get the most out of your eyeshadow palette. When you know how to work with your eye shape, and not against it, your overall makeup look will instantly be upgraded. We want you to have fun with your eyeshadow palettes, and use them to become the best version of yourself. So, we have put together this handy eyeshadow tutorial that breaks down eyeshadow tips and tricks based on your eye shape and desired effect.
Round Eyes
The first thing you should know about eyeshadow is that light colors will highlight or bring forward parts of your eyes (like the brow bone), and dark colors will recede parts of the eye (like the crease). Where you place these color values will affect how your eye looks. For round eyes, if you want more of a cat eye, elongated look, start applying your eyeshadow at the center of the lid and extend outwards past the end of the eye. If you want a less cutesy and more sultry look, a smoky eye is a great option.
Round eyes eyeshadow palette
Almond Eyes
Almond-shaped eyes can get away with a variety of eyeshadow looks. A flattering one is creating a sideways v-shape with dark eyeshadow at the outer corners of the eye; this is after you sweep the entire eye with a light shade.
Almond eyes eyeshadow palette
TheBerries Mini
Upturned Eyes
To offset upturned-shaped eyes, you can sweep your eyeshadow out, while also including a dark shadow on the bottom that will pull down the eye visually. Or, you can enhance this eye shape, by playing into the upward motion, using upwards-swooping eyeshadow.
Upturned eyes eyeshadow palette
The Nudes Mini
Downturned Eyes
Inversely, by applying eyeshadow in a swoop that angles up at the end, eyes that are downturned will now have an upturned effect. Be sure to include a dark shadow on the bottom as part of this upward-moving swoop.
Downturned eyes eyeshadow palette
TheZulu
Close-Set Eyes
For those with close-set eyes, you’ll want to use eyeshadow on the outside corners of the eyes, and lighter colors on the inside. This will create the effect that the eyes are more far apart.
The Army
Wide-Set Eyes
With wide-set eyes, you’ll be applying eyeshadow opposite of how you would with close-set eyes. To bring the eyes closer together, you should put the darker colors on the inside, and lighter colors on the ends.
Wide-set eyes eyeshadow palette
The Honeys
Monolid Eyes
Monolid eyes, common in those of East Asian descent, don’t have a visible crease. With monolids, as well as hooded eyes, you’ll want to start with a primer, to avoid eyeshadow smudging. Then, you’ll want to apply dark eyeshadow from the lashline, getting lighter as you move up towards the brow (in an ombre effect). The idea is to be able to see the eyeshadow when your eyes are open, so it is suggested that you apply with open eyes.
Monolid eyes eyeshadow palette
The Saharan
Hooded Eyes
Hooded eyes have a hood that covers the crease of the eye. A flattering eyeshadow look is to apply dark shadow in the crease and above it, to create a visible crease. You also want to extend the shadow a bit past the corner of your eye a bit in order to be able to see it when the eye is open.
Hooded eyes eyeshadow palette
The Nubian 3 Coral
Prominent Eyes
For those having prominent eyes, the trick is to use eyeshadow that will push the eyes back. This means dark shadow with a matte finish on the eyelid, from the crease down (shimmery eyeshadow will bring the eye outward).
The Masquerade
Deep-Set Eyes
Eyeshadow application for deep-set eyes are opposite of that for prominent, or protruding eyes. You want to apply a lighter, shimmery color to the eye, which will make the eyes seem more prominent. You especially want to avoid dark colors in the crease of the eye, as they will emphasize the deep eye socket.
The Nubian 2