One of the most important items in my cosmetic bag is an eyeshadow palette. It was only recently that I learned
about how important it can be. Did you know that almost all Hollywood stars keep an eyeshadow palette in their
“quick fix” color bag? This allows them to touch up quickly before the cameras start shooting. But having the right
gear is only part of the battle. Since everyone has different shaped eyes, it is important to understand how to
apply the shadow properly.
Your eyeshadow palette should have different colors and shades of eye shadow depending on the color of your hair
and eyes. However, the techniques remain pretty constant for the different shape of your eyes, so let’s look at
some techniques to accomplish beautiful eyes.
Almond Shaped Eyes:
For almond shaped eyes you will need a flat edged brush. The goal here is to provide the darker shade at the top of
your eye lash line. As humans we tend to look for the middle of the eyes to read a person. By having darker shadow
closest to the eye, it will help bring focus to your eyes immediately rather than people searching around your
face. You should aim to draw the shadow from the inner eye across on a diagonal and up at the end as you get to the
end of your eye.
After you have the first base completed, use a regular brush, and use a lighter tone from your eyeshadow palette to
increase the size of your eye while maintaining the darker lash line. If you don’t want such a hard look to the
lash line, you can dip the flat brush in a lighter tone and go over it again to create a gentle look.
Round Shaped Eyes:
To get started, you should use the lighter tones on your eyeshadow palette and apply to the inner half of your eye
lid from the eye lash line and up to the crease. Put a medium tone shadow on the other half of the eye lid to take
attention away from the inner lid. Repeat these steps for both the top and bottom eye lid.
Once you have completed those steps, use a dark pencil to line the eyes and eye lids. This will help shape and
create the eye. At this time you can also extend the eyes outward with the pencil to give them an almond shape. For
reasons unproven by science, it seems that we consider the almond shaped eye to be more attractive. Thanks to
makeup, we can achieve this look even with the most oddly shaped eyes.
Flat Shaped Eyes:
Using the shadow brush you can use a darker tone to create the look of a defined crease. The goal here is to make
it subtle yet profound enough to fool people. You should use at least a medium tone to fill in the section between
the lash lines. Use a lighter tone near the lash line and fade it upwards to give the effect of a crease. Using the
lighter tones closer to the eye gives the visual effect of depth.
You can use a pencil or flat brush to outline the eyes and creases but make sure to blend it well as giving too
much definition will give off the opposite effect we are striving for.
Your eyeshadow palette should have 5 colors with 3 tones each, giving you 15 options available. Because you will
also be carrying foundation, lip stick, gloss, and other makeup accessories, you need to have only what you need.
Carrying around a 2 pound make up back in your purse is not a treat.
Although you can pick up a set for under $5, I recommend that you spend a bit extra. The natural oils and sweat
released just above the eyes can make some shadows change color, fade, or even start to run. And that is exactly
what you don’t want to happen on a date.
An eyeshadow palette can save your face under the spot light, but more importantly, your self esteem. We all have
certain things we dislike about our bodies so it is best to do what we can. Your eyes can tell a lot about who you
are, so make them dazzle and keep people pleasantly surprised when they look in to your beautiful eyes.
Wikipedia Eye Shadow