Eyes are the windows to the soul, as the saying goes, and that is especially true when it comes to makeup. They can convey emotion, attract attention, and set the tone for your entire face. A well-executed eye look can be subtle and pretty for everyday or sultry and sexy for going out, but either way, the principles of success are the same: clean lines, good proportions, and a keen awareness of the role that light and dark play in creating depth. Begin with a primed canvas — conceal or prime your eyelids to create an even surface, conceal redness, and keep your makeup from creasing throughout the day.
Applied to the crease of the eye with a big brush and windshield-wiper motions, this trick instantly makes the eyes look lifted and more open, yet not too dramatic. It’s crucial to blend until there’s no line of demarcation left behind. With your transition color blended, you can then deposit lighter shades onto the mobile lid to give the eye a bit of brightness and highlight, and build deeper shades into the outer corner to create depth and drama. Reaching for smaller, more dense brushes for laying down product and big brushes for blending will help to achieve a softer look.
Line your lash line for a simple everyday look or add a flick for a little extra glamour and a slimmer eye. If you have hooded eyes, try to keep your flick as small as possible and relatively raised so it can still be seen, and if you have an almond eye shape, it looks nice to just extend your line a bit as it makes the eyes look more even. It’s up to you, just make sure you apply the same amount of pressure to both sides and keep the angle the same.
Mascara defines the lash and can give volume or length depending on the desired effect. Use the mascara wand to comb through the lashes from base to tip to prevent clumping. Apply the mascara mostly to the outer lashes to make the eyes appear more almond shaped. Apply two coats of mascara and comb the lashes in between coats for a volumizing effect without looking like spider legs. Use a lash curler before applying mascara to make the eyes appear even bigger. This is especially effective with a lengthening mascara that doesn’t weigh the lashes down. For false lashes, look for a lash that is natural or long and wispy, depending on your preference. Place the glue only at the lash line to get the best result.