I think its safe to assume that applying eye makeup is done with the intention of enhancing your eyes and generally adding to your appearance in a positive way.

However, if you haven't applied the stuff properly (yes there are some conditions that are necessary for it to stay put) you may find yourself seeing your efforts to look good, BACKFIRE...

Speckles of mascara dust, eye shadow depositing in the creases of our eyelids, smeared liner and mascara that has "bled" under your lower eye, doesn'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 that will spare you the angst of looking in the mirror mid day, only to discover 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. 

When the term "prime" is used 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.  

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.

#1  Apply products in small increments as needed, blending well.  Being strategic with the amount of foundation, concealer and powder being placed is really important since excess will easily be apparent in a "cakey" finish and also revealed in facial creases and wrinkles. 

Step 3.  Apply Eye Makeup.

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).

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)  Applying eye makeup should always be followed with a final check.  Use large powder brush to sweep any shadow dust, and Q-Tips to clean up excess or misplaced 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, 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 innovative products out there, should leave you with a fool proof fresh look all day long.

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