Tips on enhancing your eye makeup

Magazine surveys show that most women get the most compliments on their eyes. Eyes are, as poets say, the ‘windows to the soul.’ On a more pragmatic level, the eyes are also one of the easiest features to play up. Even if you don’t always wear makeup, you can use any of the tips below to create a dramatic eye for a date, a special occasion like a wedding, or an important job interview.

The first step to enhancing eye makeup is to use a primer. Primers will make it easier for you to blend eyeshadow. It also helps eye makeup stay put, so there’s less chance of the color fading—or worse, smearing all over and ending up on your undereye area.
If you have tired looking eyes, or reddish eyes from eye fatigue (common if you spend a lot of time in front of the computer) line the inside of your eyes with a flesh toned liner. Some makeup artists recommend using white liner, but a flesh tone looks more natural and subtle.

Then, pick eyeshadow that enhances the color of your eyes. Never wear a shade that’s the exact color of your eyes—for example, if you have brown eyes, go for a darker shade or one with tints of gold. Lavender eyeshadow flatters all eye colors. For evening you can also try shimmer makeup (read tips on how to apply shimmer makeup)

Apply eyeliner. Black eyeliner is great for a dramatic look, but if you are aiming for something more subtle then use brown eyeliner. Gray eyeliner is also very nice. Or you can use a navy or a dark purple. One way to get the most out of your makeup is to get an eyeshadow that you can apply wet, and transform it into a liner by applying it with a fine-tipped brush or a square flat-tip brush. If you are using the latter, don’t sweep the brush across: instead, press it against the eye, along the lash line.

If you make a mistake, take a cotton swab, dip into eye makeup remover, and then press against the hand until it feels dry. Then wipe away stray marks.

You can also use bronzer along the lower lash lines to make your eyes seem larger and more awake.

Mascara is also the simplest and fastest ways to make your eyes ‘pop.’ Use an eyelash curler and then apply two coats of mascara (allow each coat to try before adding another).

If you have very dramatic eye makeup remember to keep your lips a neutral color. And, be sure to shape your eyebrows—it will make your eye area cleaner and therefore larger.

Photo from smokyeyetutorial.net