A must-have in your makeup kit, eyeshadow enhances your eyes by offering a multitude of styles to adopt. Iridescent, matte or creamy, this intense blend of pigments can however be intimidating when you don't know how to apply it. To never have to leave your palette aside again, we give you the right tips for applying your eyeshadow.

First, let’s get some terms out of the way. Eyeshadow is a cosmetic product used to add color and dimension to the eyelids. It’s typically applied to the upper and/or lower eyelids to create a variety of makeup looks, from natural to glamorous to whimsical to dramatic. It comes in a variety of forms, including pressed powder, loose powder, cream, gel, and pencil. It also comes in a wide variety of colors and finishes, from matte to metallic, shimmer, and glitter. It’s all about finding the perfect match.

The Basics of Eyeshadow Application

We must ignore preconceived ideas and video tutorials that can clearly give the impression that eye makeup (including eye shadow) is a real headache to apply. This is false, at least, there are very simple methods to beautify your eyes without falling into the precision of a smoky eye or a color gradient.

The equipment needed to apply your eye shadow

For beautiful eye makeup, you first need to be able to apply it. To do this, you need to have the right equipment in your vanity case, namely:

An eyeshadow palette: this is obviously the basis. To be able to have fun with your eye makeup, you need a palette. There are a plethora of them, listing all the possible and imaginable colors (dark eyeshadow, light colors, metallic, golden, coppery shades, etc.). For an everyday look, a nude palette is ideal, punctuated with matte and iridescent eyeshadows, it's the right combo to switch between day and night looks. Always remember to have a few single eyeshadows, practical to carry in a handbag, they allow for unexpected touch-ups.

Eye brushes: These are essential for applying and blending eyeshadow precisely. You will need different types of brushes such as a flat brush, a blending brush, a rounded crease brush, a flat angled brush, a ball brush, an eyeshadow brush and more depending on your makeup affinity.

A foam applicator: This small foam sponge is useful for applying powder eyeshadow, especially metallic or glittery shades.

Eyeshadow Primer : An eyeshadow primer is a base that helps set eyeshadow, prolong its wear, and prevent it from creasing.

Adhesive tape or an application tool: this is a very simple and yet effective tip. To create beautiful cat eyes with your eyeshadow, the adhesive tape or application tool is infallible.

For a complete makeup look, from eyeshadow to mascara and eyeliner, discover our beauty guide: How to apply eye makeup?

Steps for applying eye shadow

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Now that you have the right equipment, it's time to move on to applying your eye shadow. For successful makeup, it's best to follow these few small steps:

Preparing the eyelids

Start by cleansing and moisturizing your eyelids and upper lashes (you can even add a few drops of eyelash serum to strengthen them). You can apply a small amount of eyelid primer if you like. This will help extend the wear of your eyeshadow and prevent creasing.

The choice of colors

Select the eyeshadow colors you want to use. You can use one or more colors to create the desired look. Light shades are particularly popular for light and fresh makeup looks while dark shades make excellent glamorous and intense makeup looks, ideal for an evening look.

The application of the base

Using a flat brush, apply a matte eyeshadow shade slightly lighter than your skin tone all over your eyelid. This will act as a base to even out the color of your eyelid and help the other colors blend in more easily.

Applying transition shades

Use a slightly darker transition shade in the crease of the eyelid using a rounded or ball brush (the hollow above the mobile eyelid). This shade adds dimension and helps to blend darker colors.

Applying the main color

Apply the main color of your choice on the mobile eyelid. You can use a brush or even your fingers for this. Blend well to avoid harsh lines and blurring the color.

Adding depth

For a more dramatic look, add a darker color to the outer corner of the eye (outer corner of the upper lid) or under the lower lash line to create depth. Blend carefully to avoid harsh lines. To widen and brighten the eyes, add a touch of shimmery shadow to the inner corner.

Discover our dark circle serum

The final touch, the highlighter :

To brighten the brow bone, you can apply a small touch of a light, shimmery eyeshadow or highlighter under the brow bone.

Makeup is beautiful, but at some point you have to remove it. To make sure you don't miss a thing when removing your makeup, check out our beauty guide: How to remove your makeup?