If any of you are like me, you Love makeup, especially eye makeup. The only problem I have is knowing what looks good, but the bigger problem is knowing how to do it so it looks great. I've been doing some research and I've found some Amazing tips and tricks that work great for me, so I thought I'd share them with all of you. Below I've listed some eye makeup essentials as well as what gave me the best results, and a few of my personal product suggestions. I've put together a guide for picking the correct shades that are most complimentary to specific eye colors. This has been an extremely helpful bit of information to me, so I hope that maybe you all will find the same results.
The Essentials:
First, you ALWAYS want a good primer to apply before your eye makeup. Primers set the shadows giving the lid a longer lasting vibrant color. They also decrease the chances of creasing in the shadow, and give it a smoother look overall. You can find these anywhere, but some that work really well are Urban Decay, and my favorite is the Photo Finish Lid primer by Smashbox. These primers can be pretty costly, so if you're trying to be a little conservative you can always make your own. All you do is mix 1 part liquid Concealer or Foundation and 1 part Body Butter or tinted Moisturizer. Mix so that it appears smooth, then test it on your hand to ensure the color is a good match. It's going on as an under coat so the color should be skin tone or lighter, darker shades will take away from actual makeup on top.
Choosing the Shadows Best for You
When choosing what shades look best for your eyes, you want to keep the color wheel in mind. The colors that are going to compliment your eye color most are the colors that sit opposite of that color on the color wheel. This tip definitely comes in handy when you're trying to make your eyes really stand out or 'Pop', whereas if you choose a shade similar to your eye color, you sometimes create a look that has no enthusiasm and Nobody wants dull eyes. You always want to pick at least 3 shades, 2 shades work, but you have more definition with more. Within the 3 shades you need a clearer shade, a medium shade, and a darker shade. The clearest is applied first from your lash line to your brows to brighten your eyes, for extra brightening gently apply it to the inside corners of your eyes. The medium is applied to the lid crease, and the darkest shade is used to shape your eyes. Blending is Key!! You want to always blend so that your colors are seen as 1 and not as separates.
There are variations in each set of eye colors so, as always, it is best to experiment with several shades so you can see which ones work the best for you. Within each category you should be able to find shades for highlighting, doing a smokey eye, or for the natural, classic look.
Shades for Blue Eyes
Blue eyes look great and stand out the most when using Browns, Greys, Golds, Peaches, and Plums. I have blue eyes and I've found that a mix of browns and peach look best for the day, and can quickly be transformed to night by just darkening the brown, and adding in some gold. I have a million but I really love the mineralize duo by MAC. Because it has the mineral mix it picks up on all the different shades of my eyes and works well with any lighter shade I pair it with. For highlighting, a darker brown shadow works the best, as it is a great contrast color, complimenting the blue of the eyes.
Shades for Brown Eyes
Brown eyes look great with so many shades, and so many color combinations look amazing for all different occasions. For a more natural look Charcoals and Softer Blacks, Greys, Mauves, and Taupes work best, and sometimes you can even throw in a touch of soft Pink or Peach, just be gentle with it. Dark Blacks paired with Shimmery Golds and Greens or Blues look great together if you're trying to make your eyes 'Pop' or if you're going for a more glamorous feel.
Shades for Green Eyes
Green eyes look amazing when using Browns, Taupes, Pinks, and pretty much any shade of Purple. A Pale Pink together with lighter Browns and Creams brighten the eyes and give a look of classic beauty, where darker Purples add drama and an edge.
Shades for Hazel Eyes
Of all the eye colors, Hazels have the most options because there are so many different color tones in the hazel. Golds and Yellows look great with most hazels that have golden tones, and a good Shimmery Gold paired with a Sunflower can really bring them out and look amazing. Natural shades like Creams, Browns, Taupes, and Pinks and Greens work best as go-to shades. Purples, from dark to light, work really well as a complimentary shade for hazels. Combine grey and black with a soft, pale pink to have an extra 'Pop' while keeping a classic look.
Liners and Mascara
Eye liners can be very tricky to use, but after enough practice the results look great! First you should decide which type of liner you want to use. Pencil liners are the easiest and great for keeping the natural, less "done" look, whereas liquid liners are dramatic and can be pretty messy. A great alternative to both is using a slanted brush and an eyeshadow. For the more natural look just dip the brush in the shadow and apply, for a more finished look do the same, only wet the brush before. An alternative to liquid liner, without the mess, is PenUltimate Eye Liner by MAC. It's what I'm using now and it is Amazing. It is easy to use like a pencil but goes on, and has the look of, a liquid liner. When lining the eyes,the idea is to start off wide and get thinner. For a less finished look, smudge the liner with either and sponge tip or your finger to blend it in and make it seem more natural. Liners can be a bold, statement color, or a shade consistent with your hair and brow colors.
I am a mascara addict! I have bought so many different types of mascaras over the years, but I just recently found a new favorite, Studio Fix BoldBlack Lash by MAC. There are so many different mascaras to choose from so again testing several is always the best way to find out what you like. A great way to shape your eyes is to curl your lashes before, or after, you apply your mascara. If you have a basic lash curler it's usually better to curl them before, but if you are using a heated lash curl (my favorite) you can do it after you've applied your mascara. Most heated curlers work the same, so there's no need to buy one that is too expensive, and if you don't want to spend money at all, just take the one you have and heat it with your hairdryer and it works just the same.
These are a few of my FAVORITE THINGS......
I hope you all find this information as helpful as I did!
War Eagle!
Jamie
Being at BleuBelle this summer has been one of the best experiences ever! I have learned so much and met so many Amazing people. I have gotten the opportunity to interview April Johnston, and so many others. When I met April I was pretty much star struck! She is so talented and her drive is so inspiring. Her hurricane dress is my Absolute Favorite so as you can imagine, I was thrilled to see it on the cover of the South magazine. 
