How to Choose Eyeshadow: 4 Tips

Eyeshadow is an extremely popular decorative cosmetic product right now: no wonder. When choosing an eyeshadow palette, it's essential to consider your skin tone and the shades that complement it.

 

Appropriately picked eyeshadow can be used as an eyeliner, and you can create a variety of eye makeup of varying degrees of complexity with it. You can also use some shades as a sculptor, bronzer, or highlighter. Therefore, it is crucial to know how to choose eye makeup and eyeshadow palettes, which are the real must-haves in any girl's cosmetic bag. 

Understanding Eyeshadow Types and Finishes

Depending on the texture, eyeshadows are divided into:

 

• compact (dry or powder);
• loose;
• cream;
• liquid;
• baked;
• pencil shadows.

 

Let's consider each type of shadow in more detail.

Compact (Dry) Texture

Compact shadows are the most famous, widespread, and popular. They have a dry, pressed, powdery base. They are made by pressing. Powder shadows are easy to apply, lay down evenly, shade, and combine with each other. When applied wet, they become brighter and more durable. 

 

Compact shadows are used alone or in combination with pencils and cream shadows. Due to their economical application, they have a long shelf life. The package may contain one color or several shades. A package containing 2 or more color shades is called a palette.

Loose Texture

Loose shadows were previously used only by professional makeup artists, but now they have become widespread and beloved by ordinary customers. When applied correctly, they are easy to mix and create smooth color transitions

 

 However, they are a bit difficult to apply as they crumble easily. The color of the shadows is saturated due to the high concentration of pigments. The only tool for applying shadows is a makeup brush.

Liquid Texture

Liquid eyeshadow is a fairly new texture on the cosmetic market. Its main advantage is durability (the application remains flawless for a long time). The liquid texture contains moisturizing, nourishing, and vitamin components for delicate care of the skin of the eyelids. The shadows dry and fix quickly, so they require skillful and careful application. 

Cream Texture

Cream-like (gel, cream-gel) shadows have a greasy consistency, do not crumble, do not roll, and do not scatter. The texture has high durability, and drying occurs within a few seconds. Cream shadows are well-pigmented, and provide a bright and saturated tone and weightless coverage.

Baked Texture

Baked Shadows got its name due to its unique production technology - baking the texture in a special oven at a high temperature. The advantages of the texture are monolithic, softness, and minimal consumption. Baked eyeshadow can be applied dry or wet (to enhance the color) with an applicator or brush.

Eye Shadow Pencil

They come in the form of a regular pencil in a wooden or plastic twist-off case with a wide lead. The texture is soft, creamy, and easy to use. Ideal for quick makeup. 

How to Choose The Right Eyeshadow

The modern beauty market today offers many types of eyeshadow. Depending on the finish, shadows can be divided into five types.

Matte Shadows

Matte shadows allow you to discreetly highlight your eyes, and shiny shades will draw all the attention to them. The ideal way to apply such shadows is by softly dabbing because side-to-side movements will lead to a loss of saturation and the crumbling of the product.

Satin Shadows

This type of makeup shadow gives the effect of a matte shine. At first, they seem matte, but if you look closer, you will notice small iridescent particles in the composition. Also, pay attention to satin shadows of bright shades - they fit perfectly on the eyelids, do not emphasize age-related changes, and even slightly highlight the skin.

Shadows With a Metallic Sheen

Shadows with a metallic effect make the room look open and literally shining. As a rule, they are translucent and give a bright shine, but without a saturated shade. You can apply such shadows with your fingers or with a damp or dry brush. Metallics are well-shaded, but are not able to keep clear boundaries within their shape.

Shadows With a Chrome Effect

The product contains fragile, shiny particles, which give it a luxurious shine. This type of shadow can crumble, so when applying, lift the client's chin higher and use protective patches in the under-eye area. Apply shadows with a chrome effect only over the primer with dabbing movements.

Shadows with a Holographic Effect

Holographic shadows can change their shade depending on the lighting. They look lighter in areas exposed to light, and darker in recessed areas. 

How Do I Choose an Eyeshadow Color?

At all times, women have strived to look unsurpassed. To do this, they used different types of cosmetics. With their help, you can:

 

• give your eyes a certain shape;
• enlarge your eyes;
• emphasize your look;
• correct the shape of your eyes, etc.

 

With these, you can create both everyday, festive, and evening makeup.

What Shadows Are Suitable for Brown Eyes?

Brown eyes are the most mysterious and enigmatic. The following varieties of shades of brown eyes are distinguished:

 

• dark - gray-brown eyes – this look is enchanting and attractive because the eyes are coal-black, rich shades are suitable for such eyes (chocolate, dark green, brown, plum, gray, silver, dark sand);
• hazel - eyes of this shade are considered one of the lightest brown eyes, it is better to choose natural shades of shadows for them, all shades from beige to dark brown will suit;
• honey or amber - this shade requires refreshing colors, it is better to avoid dark ones, so choose turquoise, purple, and champagne colors;
• classic brown - in order to highlight their beauty, use lilac, brown, light pink, chocolate, black, and plum shades.

 

To choose the right shadows for brown eyes, owners of this color need to determine which pigment predominates.

How to Choose Eyeshadow for Green Eyes?

A magical look is always associated with green eyes, they are considered the rarest, so their beauty must be properly emphasized. These eyes can, depending on the time of day, lighting, and setting, show blue, blue, or ash colors. Eyeshadow for green eyes:

 

• warm shades of bronze - perfectly emphasize the depth of green;
• copper tones - make the eyes more saturated;
• play with lilac - a great option is to use lilac eyeshadow and pencil;
• replace the black liner with plum or purple;

 

You can play around with other hues and shades, mixing in some green and peach.

How to Choose the Right Eyeshadow for Grey Eyes?

Gray eyes are incredibly beautiful, so their owners do not necessarily need to use eyeshadow. But if you want to do makeup, then you need to choose eyeshadow for gray eyes, taking into account these recommendations:

 

• cool shades go perfectly with such eyes;
• to add shine to the look, use pearlescent shades;
• to add a blue tint to the eyes, apply blue or purple eyeshadow.

 

All these shades and shadows make gray eyes even more expressive, underlying their natural beauty.

What Eyeshadow is Suitable for Blue Eyes?

The depth of blue eyes is always fascinating, their owners always want to emphasize their blueness even more. Eyeshadow for blue eyes that should be used if you want to create the perfect makeup:

 

• golden – this is a universal shade, if the shine is muted with a sandy shade, you can use it to create daily makeup;
• orange – together with blue they are completely opposite, due to this, these two colors enhance each other's tone;
• copper – perfectly emphasizes the blue of the eyes;
• brown – a warm shade that will not weigh down the look but will highlight it.

 

Additionally, for blue-eyed people, adding glitter is an ideal option for both daytime and evening or holiday makeup.

Choosing Eyeshadow for Your Skin Tone

The theory of color types is still relevant: it allows you to decide on a range of shades that will harmonize with the undertone of the skin, eye color, and hair.

Winter

"Winter" girls look better in cold shades. But you shouldn't completely exclude the warm range, either. The beige-brown range can also serve as a basis for eye makeup. A shimmer shade will suit girls with a "winter" appearance: rich bronze goes well with the undertone of the skin. In addition, it will show itself perfectly when creating classic evening smoky eyes.

Spring

Girls of the "spring" color type are the complete opposite of "winter": their appearance is practically devoid of contrasts. They are characterized by soft and light features. In eye makeup, smokey eyes with soft transitions and golden highlights suit "spring" girls very well. Such colors as beige, brown, caramel, brick, and swamp green will be a good choice.

Summer

The "summer" color type is found among both blondes and brunettes. The eyes of "summer" girls, as a rule, are blue, gray-blue, or gray-green. Hence, coffee beige, taupe, blue and light blue, lilac, plum, emerald, and lemon yellow are just some of the shades that you can experiment with when doing eye makeup.

Choosing Eyeshadow Depending on the Occasion

During the day, it is worth choosing a more natural and fresh makeup to highlight your natural beauty without excessive accents. Use a light foundation, nude eyeshadow, and a natural blush. A great addition would be a light, shiny lipstick or glossy gloss.

Delicate Daytime Makeup

Use nude shades of eyeshadow to create soft daytime makeup on the eyelids.

Accentuate your eyes with a thin black or brown kajal drawn along the upper eyelid.

Color your eyelashes with mascara, emphasizing their natural volume. Apply a light blush.

 

In the evening, you can afford a little more elegance and accents. Add additional eyeshadow, and emphasize the depth of the eyes with eyeliner or lipstick in a dark color range. Different lipstick options, from matte to glossy, can create different moods for your image.

 

Evening makeup is unique by combining cold and warm shades.

Makeup is chosen depending on the color scheme of the fabrics in your evening outfit.

The main characteristics of special makeup include moderate contrasts, which typically use subtle contrasts between shades to create a natural yet dramatic look.

Consider Your Makeup Goals

Current makeup plays an important role in creating a modern and stylish look. Discuss how your makeup goals can influence your choice of eyeshadow. For a neutral look, brown and nude tones are perfect:

 

• on the eyelids, use light, nude shades of shadow or simply apply an eyeshadow base to hide imperfections;
• for an accent, apply a light gloss or pearlescent shadow to the inner corner of the eye;
• tint your lashes with light mascara to create natural volume;
• add a light blush to your cheeks for a natural glow;
• finish your makeup with a neutral lipstick or gloss.

 

If you're looking to make your eyes pop, using a bold shade like purple or green can create a striking contrast, especially for blue or hazel eyes.

 

To enhance a warm or olive complexion, gold and bronze hues will add a rich glow, while shimmer options give a playful touch to evening looks. Finally, a good mix of matte and shimmer shadows in a palette ensures versatility, whether you're going for a light daytime look or a deep, dramatic effect.

How to Choose an Eyeshadow Palette

The palette should have both light and dark versions of the same color (which will go well together), as well as at least one neutral shade and one with shimmer.

For those who are not professional makeup artists, cosmetic brands produce palettes with pre-matched shades for different makeup options - for example, basic or smoky eyes.

 

Beginners need to remember another rule: start small. To learn how to combine shades, first buy a palette with four to eight shades, and only then move on to those with a wider palette (12 or more shades).

Conclusion

High-quality shadows must be well-shaded and not crumble under the eyes when applied. This is easy to check: the silkier the texture of the shadows to the touch, the easier they will be shaded. Be sure to select several brushes for shading and applying shadows.