Easy Eye Make-Up Application

 Over the years—our own and time in general—the colors, shades and textures of eye shadows my change, but the basic application technique is the same. As with all make-up, unless you are preparing for a saunter down the catwalk or to be seen from the last row in a theater-- less is always more.

Whether you choose minerals, crème, or powder, it is best to start with a clean, dry eye lid. Use a base if you like. If you curl your lashes, take care of that before you apply the shadow.

Start with the medium shade on the lid itself. Use a light hand—you can always add more later. The darker shade (which can also double as a powder eyeliner if it is not too loose) goes in the crease of the eyelid—where the lid meets the area under the eyebrow. You can add a fillip of darker shade to a small portion of the outer area of the lid, taking care to blend. In fact blending is an important part of the application process. Just under the brow is where the lightest shade is applied, again, with t light hand. Some eyeshadows come in a palette of four shades, allowing you to be more creative. As for what color works best with your eye color, the choice is up to you. Also consider the whole picture—your skin tone and hair color and if you are not sure what shade is best, stay with neutral shades.

As make-up artist supreme Kevyn Aucoin stated in his book The Art of Make-up, “The main principle to bear in mind with eyeshadow (and with the shadowing techniques…) is that dark colors deepen or hollow an area and light colors bring it forward.”

A very helpful and easy to use site with shadow application tips is Covergirl’s http://www.covergirl.com/makeup-tips/eye-makeup-tips/  where you can also find the useful application tips for deep-set eyes, wide-set eyes, close-set eyes, for eyeglass wearers, for Asian eyes. Another is from Avon  http://www.avon.com/1/1/3766-jillian-dempsey-avon-professional-eyeshadow.html  and, for help choosing a shadow color for your eye color and skin tone, take a look at  Maybelline’s http://www.maybelline.com/mca/index.aspx

(thanks to http://www.freepixels.com/  for the photo)