Makeup Tricks to Make Your Eyes Pop

Most women have a set routine for applying makeup, yet many miss the mark and wind up with eyes that are overly made up, distracting from their overall beauty.  This article will explain how to apply makeup so that your eyes are the first things people notice (unless you’re walking around naked).

Eyeliner

Most women who want their eyes to pop line their eyes incorrectly.  Look, unless you’re an Indian Goddess with huge, lotus-like eyes, you don’t need to line the upper and lower lids completely.  In fact, lining both lids actually makes the eyes appear smaller.  Instead, think Angelina Jolie.  Have you ever noticed her eyeliner?  It’s mainly on the upper lid, and it doesn’t go all the way to the inner corner.

Image via Wikipedia

Next, think shape.  You don’t want massive, Elizabeth-Taylor-playing-Cleopatra wingtips extending over your temple, because it detracts from your eye.  Try for a shape that makes your eyes look doe-like.  Thickness is also important.  You want just enough thickness to achieve the shape, but not so much thickness that all you can see is liner.

Finally, choose a color based on your eye color.  If you have blue eyes, choose black for maximum impact.  Green eyes pop in black, dark brown, and sometimes a dark blue.  Brown and black eyes should go for a dark teal or a purple.

Eyeshadow

You don’t want a smokey, heavily contoured eye.  You don’t want dramatic colors.  All you want is natural.  Pick a shade of eyeshadow that is one to two shades lighter than your skin but is still the same color.  You can also pick a really light shade of eyeshadow in the sand/bone/tan spectrum and apply a thin strip underneath your eyebrow.  Be sure to blend it well.  (Women of color, go for a lighter brown here.)

Eyebrows

Speaking of eyebrows, how do yours look?  Do they have a natural-looking shape?  Are they the right thickness?  If they’re too hairy they will make your eye seem smaller –  pluck them, or have them waxed or threaded.  If they’re too thin, get an eyebrow pencil or a matte eyeshadow the same color and fill them in.  Don’t underestimate how important your eyebrows are.

Mascara

Image via Wikipedia

To achieve this look, you want thick, rich looking lashes.  Unless you’re a natural blond, get the darkest black mascara you can find.  (Blondes should get a brown-black.)  Beware the spiky, unnatural look that’s been popular for the last few years — anything unnatural looking will distract.

The Rest of Your Face

You don’t want any part of your makeup to detract from your eyes.  Pick a shade of lipstick that is rich but natural looking, or skip the lipstick altogether.  Wear a natural looking blusher or bronzer.  Put some conealer under your eye if you have circles.  Again, think of Angelina Jolie.  Her face is made up but looks very natural.

I hope these steps help you.  Please leave a comment if you have a question.