These eyeshadow tips for beginners will seriously help you up your makeup game. Don’t be intimidated by glam eyeshadow. Instead, remember that you have to start somewhere, even if it’s just one color eyeshadow looks. When you’re ready, keep stepping up your game by learning and using these tips.
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What’s The Easiest Eyeshadow To Apply
If you’re brand new to eyeshadow, start small. The easiest eyeshadow to apply is a shadow stick. You can instantly create a one color eyeshadow look that is amazing. Most colors are a cream formula, so they glide on effortlessly. You don’t even have to use a brush. Simply color in your eyelids.
The second easiest eyeshadow product to work with is a powder eyeshadow. This is particularly true if you want a more complicated look, such as a smokey eye. Powder eyeshadows are more buildable and blendable than other formulas.
Our Recommendations
Finding a high-quality eyeshadow stick isn’t as easy as you would think. Some of them are known for smearing away a couple of hours after application. Thankfully, we’ve created this list of the best shadow sticks to get you started!
E.l.f. Cosmetics No Budge Shadow Stick ($5)
This eyeshadow stick from e.l.f. Csometics is one of the holy grail shadow sticks. You can pick it up in various finishes, including matte. It’s available in every color imaginable, and it’s only $5. The formula glides smoothly across your lids instead of tugging on them, and dries quickly. Once the product is dry, it stays put until you’re ready to take it off. The only downside? It dries so fast that you need to hurry up if you want to create a look with more than one color.
NYX Cosmetics Jumbo Eye Pencil ($5.50)
This eye pencil from NYX Cosmetics is available in over ten shades to help you find exactly what you’re looking for. The chunky pencil is easy to hold, making makeup application much easier for beginners. It’s more than jsut an eye pencil, though! Use it as an eyeliner, eyeshadow crayon, or eye primer to make your pressed pigments appear more vibrant! Did we mention it’s cruelty-free?
Julep Creme To Powder Shadow Stick ($16)
This top-rated shadow stick glides on as smoothly as your favorite cream eyeshadows. Then, it dries down to a powder finish for a lasting look. It’s buildable and blendable. Not to mention that the formula is waterproof! This formula is guaranteed to impress you when it comes to staying power!
Don’t Use The Same Brush For Everything
If you plan on using more than one color of eyeshadow, you need more than one brush. You’ll need a few brushes with short synthetic hair for the eyeshadow. You don’t want to use the same brush for light and dark colors. A fluffy eyeshadow brush for blending is also a must-have.
Our Recommendations
Professional Brush Kit ($10)
When you’re just starting out in makeup, it’s tempting to buy a little of everything, but you don’t need to do that. Brush kits like this one offer the basic brushes that you’ll need to achieve the look you want. As you play with more makeup products and learn more, you can pick up more brushes. It’s available in champagne gold, and comes with a convenient carrying case!
Other Brush Kits
Not a fan of shopping on Amazon or want something from a different brand? Not a problem! Almost every makeup store has a brush kit available, and some of your favorite cruelty-free brands (like e.l.f.) sell affordable makeup brushes. Here are some other great options:
Eyeshadow brushes are an important part of your makeup arsenal. However, don’t forget that you’re just starting out. So, start with the basics and work your way up as you become more experienced with makeup.
Tap Your Brushes After You Pick Up Eyeshadow
After swirling your brush in the eyeshadow, give it a quick tap. You can keep something, like a glass, nearby to tap it on. This removes excess product so that you have less eyeshadow fallout.
Pat Eyeshadow Onto The Lid Instead Of Brushing It
It makes sense that you’re using a brush, so you should brush the color across your eyelid. This can create an uneven distribution of color. Instead, use a patting motion for even color. This is also a great technique to help shimmer eyeshadows stay in place and prevent fallout.
Do Your Foundation First
When you do your foundation first, you can wipe away eyeshadow fallout with a makeup wipe. You can also wipe off your look if you don’t like how it turned out. If you apply foundation, etc., you’ll have to redo all of your makeup.
Don’t Forget The Primer
Using a good eye primer will help your eyeshadow last longer. It’s always important to prep your eyelids before applying your eye makeup.
Our Recommendations
Urban Decay Original Eyeshadow Primer Potion
Urban Decay has set the standards in the makeup industry for a few products, and their eyeshadow primer is one of them! The doe foot applicator helps it slide smoothly across your lid. It has a quick drying time. Not only will it help prevent creasing, fading and smudging, but it will instantly make your eyeshadow color appear more vibrant!
Wet ‘N Wild PhotoFocus Eye Primer ($9.60)
This brightening formula dries down to a smooth, matte finish to instantly make your lids brighter and lock in your look. The transparent color makes it ideal for any skin tone! If you love dramatic eye makeup looks, it’s a must-have! If you’re still a beginner, the no-mess application and high-quality is just what you need. Here’s what one reviewer said:
“I find I have to apply less eyeshadow with this primer and it also allows me to blend colors very well with minimal effort. As somebody who’s into alternative makeup looks, this is a major plus for me. Tried Thank Me Later eyeshadow primer for a few months and the result was a faded patchy mess, so I’ve come back to this and it’s still my absolute favorite.”
Apply Lighter Colors First
If you’re using more than one color of eyeshadow, apply your lighter color first. Most people put the lighter color over the entire lid and then add the dark color in key spots.
Learn Your Eye Shape
Paying attention to your eye shape will tell you what you should and shouldn’t do regarding eye makeup. For example, darker eyeshadows will make your eyes appear smaller if you have small eyes. Because of that, you shouldn’t apply them over the entire lid.
Try A Single Color Cream Eyeshadow
If you don’t want to blend or learn about eye shapes, then don’t. Instead, you can also pick up a cream eyeshadow and blend it over your entire eyelid with your finger.
Invest In A Good Eyeshadow Palette
When you wind up with eyeshadow that is poor quality, you’ll find that it’s hard to work with. It might not blend easily or be buildable. Most of the time, the colors aren’t as pigmented. Start with one eyeshadow palette and slowly build up your makeup collection.
For more eyeshadow tips for beginners, check out this article!
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