Oh, gosh, where do I even start? — because there are so many levels and layers to this answer! Out of all the things that are hard for me about doing eye makeup (and, dude, there are so many of them), the hardest for me is applying eyeshadow.
Loved it since the beginning of time, but it took me years to figure out what to do with it with any degree of competency.
And when I really started putting ALL THE THINGS on my lids, I read books and tried to follow tutorials, so I’d put color in the crease and the outer third (like all makeup junkies are wont to do), and then I’d look in the mirror at the final product and think, WHAT THE ACTUAL F*CK? Seriously. LOL!
Eventually, I figured out that I was placing eyeshadow on my lids in ways that didn’t suit my eye shape (they’re slightly hooded and turn down at the outer corners), and it took a lot of trial and error to figure out a better way for me (I have to put eyeshadow higher up on my lids and closer to the center; otherwise, it drags my eyes down).
It still isn’t easy to this day, especially when I’m using multiple colors, but at least it’s slightly manageable.
How about you? What’s the hardest thing about doing eye makeup?
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
P.S. TGIF!
I can not seem to get my eyeshadow to blend right
Keeping my eyeshadow from creasing or melting off my oily lids. Thank goodness for eyeshadow primers and setting sprays! It was awful in the days before them. It doesn’t help that my eyes are also somewhat hooded.
Second most would be getting winged eyeliner to look the same on both sides. I used to have no problem with it when I was in my teens and 20s, but it got harder the older I got (crows feet, saggy skin). Now I use the tape method.
Hi!!
Any suggestions for makeup artists to follow for specific techniques on how to do makeup for your eye shape? Haven’t gotten that down.
And I cannot keep from getting mascara on my lids. Every. Damn. Day.
Hi Jade,
Here are a couple videos that I think you might find helpful:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dmxUAJFzVC4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pA9DahAHgao
Wow, gorgeous eye look!!! LOVE
Thanks, Katherine!
Hi Karen — I’m seriously still reeling over your last post of the foot cream for toothpaste! You crack me up. When I think about eyeshadow – I always get somewhat nervous – from choosing the primer all the way to the finished look. Sometimes it ends up being a really great combination – and sometimes it’s just okay- most of the time it has a way of working itself out. I just tend to follow my instincts. May not be “professional” but hey- this is supposed to be fun, and self-reflective right? I try to follow current trends with colors and some application techniques – but overall – I tend to choose what I enjoy and go from there. I have been kind of stuck in a rosey – gold- kind of a vibe here lately — I need to break out and do a pretty brown matte smokey eye.
I don’t know I just say have fun!! Life is too short to stress over eyeshadow!!
Yes it is! And one of the best things about eyeshadow (and all makeup) is that you can always wash it off and try again! I love that with makeup, you have many, many chances to do something over. 🙂
I love rose gold shadows, by the way, especially as an inner corner highlight!
Finding out how to place eyeshadow according to my eyeshape, just like you. And now that I am about to turn 40 I feel it is just changing again. *sigh*
Yes! My eyes get more hooded every day, it seems!
Eyeshadow&blending! I’m back with the same sad story lol I too have slightly hooded, turned down and i know to wing my eyeliner up that’s about it. The prime shade is usually my only shade otherwise I look like I’m trying too hard
Hi Diana,
Here’s a video I found very helpful for hooded and downturned eyes! The artist, Elle, goes through everything in detail (how to hold your brush, where to start and stop the eyeshadow), and also covers the “why” behind each thing she does: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dmxUAJFzVC4. Hope this helps!
I don’t know how to put on eyeshadow without having to do a lot of clean up on the sides of my eyes. Also, I love trying to do winged eye liner but I can never get them to be identical on both sides of my face. One side is little longer or a little more angled up. It is so frustrating. And it seems like very YouTube make up artist puts on their eyeshadows the same way and they’re layering on 4 eye shadows. Do I really have to do the whole lid, than just the outer corner with one color, the crease with another, and put highlighter in the tear duct? I love playing around with looks and colors but this seems like an awful lot of work.
Hi BrooklynShoeBabe,
It is a lot of work! Most days I use one or two shadows. Or better yet just one cream shadow. You can do a lot with one thing!
Everything! I find everything eye makeup related to be difficult so I’ve been sporting a bare eye look all my life! I never know where to put all the eye shadow. I can’t seem to draw eyeliner on with precision. I did buy the Chrissy Teigen palette and I’ll just do a slight wash of color over my lids, but that’s it for me. Haha, I’m so remedial! I’d love to do eye makeup like you or some of my favorite Instagrammers, so I do have goals! ? BTW, You’re awesome, Karen! You’re one of my top favorite bloggers ?
Eye shadow is my least favorite makeup. My eyelids are very heavy, considerable darker than the rest of my skin, and they are very wrinkled and creased to boot. I’m only 34 and can’t imagind how much worse it’s going to get. I usually just go without any because it’s too much of a pain and makeup is no good of it’s not fun.
Loving this look! Bright colors look great on you 🙂