Applying Eye Makeup

Three Easy Steps To Keep Eye Makeup Looking Great

Applying eye makeup really isn't that hard with a little practice and experimenting to determine what styles you like and how to do the technique... the tough part is keeping it as fresh and polished looking as when you first applied it.

Unfortunately it doesn't take long for that fresh attractive eye makeup to disappear, or worse, travel.   Speckles of mascara dust, eye shadow either being absorbed into and/or depositing in the creases of our eyelids, smeared liner and mascara that has "bled" under your lower eye, all description that don't exactly bring the words "fresh" or "polished" beauty to mind.

Luckily there are a few little tricks you can learn when applying eye makeup.  These methods will spare you the mid day discovery in the mirror that "fresh and radiant" has become "frightening".

Here are a few easy steps to applying eye makeup that will keep you looking good, from sun up to sundown.

Step 1.   Begin with a fresh clean slate.

Whether its the "am" or the "pm", you don't want to be applying fresh makeup over old stuff. So, wash your face, conducting your usual basic skin care regime. If you wear moisturizer, give it time to work into the skin.

Step 2.   "Prime" the eye area when applying eye makeup.

PRIME

When the term "prime" is used as a step in painting, a layer is being place over the surface to be painted, to provide a smooth, even toned surface that will receive paint evenly (preventing the paint from being absorbed into the surface). The same concept is being applied to makeup application, and in this specific case, to applying eye makeup. You can do this through a number of makeup products.

If you find you are have difficulty getting an even application of foundation, consider using face primer makeup.  This would be applied before foundation, concealer etc. and provide a layer between skin and foundation, as well as, create a smooth fresh even looking application. There are a number of companies out there who have developed products of that nature, even for mascara.

One product that I have used and found it delivered quality benefits is Smashbox Photo Finish Primer.  (Smashbox Photo Finish Light Foundation Primer To Go o.5 oz Shown)

FOUNDATION OR CONCEALER AS NEXT STEP?

Traditionally, you would apply concealer to the dark circles and areas that needed heavier duty coverage, and then apply foundation over the concealer for general evening out of the skin tone. This step was followed by loose translucent powder to "set" the base for and providing a base for makeup to be applied to and give that makeup application staying power. This sequence tends to look overdone unless you are very careful with your application.

An alternate approach which is lighter and more natural looking, would be to apply foundation first, followed by concealer as needed, keeping the coverage emphasis on the eye area and more sheer coverage over the rest of the face. Once any cream based makeup is applied, you can then "set" the makeup and eye area with a light dusting of translucent powder using a big powder brush.

The secret of the universe--it instantly makes you look well-rested.
Bobbi Brown-top professional makeup artist in reference to correctors and concealers

Award winning Bobbi Brown Creamy Concealer Kit shown above (kit= creamy concealer + sheer finish loose powder).

Foundation- applied to skin and blended with sponge or foundation brush. More fine blending can be done gently with a clean ring finger tip.

Concealer- applied with a concealer brush, again fine blending with a warm clean ring finger tip.

Loose powder- applied with a soft large powder brush, dipping into powder dabbing off excess on a tissue and then lightly dispersing over facial contours.

Step 3. Apply Eye Makeup Using This Sequence And Tips

i) Applying eye makeup begins with eye shadow, working from light to dark shades. Typically the lightest shade covers from the lash line to brow bone area. The medium shade is used in the crease and blended well into base shadow. Followed by darkest shade along upper and lower lash lines (depending on style preferences).

Clinique Color Surge Eye Shadow Quad (shown) is an easy quality choice of coordinating shades.

Place a folded tissue under the lower lash line to catch eye shadow dust, when applying eye makeup. This will save you the appearance of dark circles and create a clean more precise polished finish.

ii) Liner follows and is worn along lash lines and can be "set" with matching eye shadow (set by pressing powder with angled or liner makeup brush along the line made).

iii) An extra, light dusting of translucent powder will help maximize makeup staying power.

iv) Eye lash curlers are incredible tools, that will really open up the eye and give your eye lashes serious presence.

v) Mascara follows...

Make sure you aren't using mascara after its time. If you have flakes or difficulty getting coverage, the mascara has dried out and should be thrown out. A mascara formulation should go on creamy smooth and evenly, with the ability to hang on to the finest of lashes.

vi) Separate lashes with eye lash brush (old clean toothbrush works well).

vii) Eyebrows need to be groomed after applying eye makeup. At this point I mean, remove any strays, use a proper shaded pencil to fill brows shape, and the brush them into place. Clear gel is great for placing long unruly brows.

viii) After applying eye makeup, you should always follow with a final check. Use large powder brush to sweep any shadow dust, and Q-Tips to clean up excess or misplaced makeup.

  Last word on applying eye makeup...

Makeup, of course, is meant to enhance your appearance not detract from it. Without a good base, the makeup you apply will likely move, collect in the creases, absorb into your skin and leave you with a less than fresh look. Not ideal and definitely avoidable. Applying eye makeup using the above steps, in combination with the use of the great selection of innovative products out there, should leave you with a fool proof fresh look all day long.

Back To Basic Eye Make Up Tips With Beautiful Results From Applying Eye Makeup

Return To Smart Beauty And Makeup Tips Home Page