How to Apply Easy Eye Makeup

Of all the different types of makeup, eye makeup can be the trickiest and most time-consuming to do. If you're just starting to learn how to use makeup, it's a good idea to stick to simple, easy styles before trying out more complicated ones. Whether you're applying "no makeup" makeup or looking glam, easy eye makeup should only take a few minutes with a little practice.

EditSteps

EditDoing Natural-Looking Eye Makeup

1. Brush a neutral eyeshadow across your eyelid. Load an eyeshadow brush with your makeup of choice and simply swipe it across your entire closed eyelid. Stop just above your crease.
   
   • Avoid shimmery eyeshadows during the day if you're going for a "no makeup" look.
   • Taupes, browns, honeys, and creams are the best eyeshadows to use for natural-looking makeup.
   • Pick a color that is either slightly darker or lighter than your natural skin tone. If your skin is darker, a lighter eyeshadow usually works best, and vice versa if you're on the paler side. If you have medium skin, then you can pick either.^[1]
   • Even neutrals can stand out and be obvious if you pick one too different from your natural skin tone.^[2]
2. Dab a touch of highlighter at the inner corner of each eye. Select a very light eyeshadow, such as honey or white. Lightly load a clean eyeshadow brush and touch it to the corner of your eye near your tear ducts. This small detail will brighten up your eyes.
   • You can also choose to use any other type of powder highlighter for this step. Foundations, concealers, and contouring kits will work here.^[3]
3. Blend your eyeshadow well. Use either a clean eyeshadow brush or the same brush you used on your main eyeshadow. Start from the upper outer corner of your eye where the eyeshadow begins. Make small, circular buffing motions across your eye's crease with the brush. Go over it a few times until the makeup looks totally natural.
   
   • Blending softens harsh lines to create a more natural look. Here, well-blended makeup will form a gradient from your lid color to the surrounding skin tone.
   • Since you only have one neutral color, it shouldn't take much time to blend properly.^[4]
4. Put on some subtle eyeliner. Apply a thin strip of eyeliner along your upper lashline.
   
   • For the natural look, avoid heavy eyeliner. If your skin and eyes are fairly dark, some eyeliner on your lower lashline can appear natural. Otherwise, stick to the upper lid only.
   • If you're a beginner and making a straight line is difficult, try using a kohl pencil rather than liquid or gel liner. Kohl pencils are easier to smudge and blend.^[5]
   • If you have blonde or red hair, consider using a brown or taupe eyeliner. Black eyeliner can stand out too much on people with lighter hair.
   • If you're just learning how to do makeup, applying eyeliner can be tricky, especially when you're trying to make it look natural. Consider skipping it for now if you have trouble.
5. Finish up with some light mascara. Brush a single layer onto your top lashes.
   
   • Like eyeliner, this is another step that's optional for the natural look. Mascara is much easier to apply also but isn't essential, especially if you have naturally well-defined eyelashes.
   • Wipe excess mascara off your brush before applying.
   • If you have blonde hair or red hair, brown mascara will look more natural than black.^[6][7]

EditCreating an Easy Classic Look

1. Select your eyeshadows. For this look, you will need two different eyeshadows: a lighter base color and a darker color to use for shading.
   • You can pick any color for the base, as long as it's lighter than the crease color. Pick your favorite or coordinate it with your clothes.
   • Some colors will look more flattering on you than others. Shades that match your eye color (blues for blue eyes, for example) will make them pop. Bright, vivid colors will look great on darker skin, while jewel tones tend to suit lighter skin.
   • The most common shadow color to use is a simple black. A darker version of the base eyeshadow is also popular.
   • Many eyeshadows come in palettes containing colors that work well together.^[8]
2. Brush your base color onto your entire eyelid. Load a clean eyeshadow brush with powder. Apply the eyeshadow to your lid beginning at the outer edge. Move the brush horizontally across your eyelid. Go back and forth a couple times for even coverage.
   • Tap off the excess before bringing a loaded eyeshadow brush to your face to prevent fallout. This is especially important when working with non-neutral colors that contrast with your skin.
3. Apply the darker color along your eyelid's crease. Start from the outer corner and swipe across inward towards your nose. You can use the same brush you used with the first color without needing to clean it off.
   
4. Dab some highlighter at the inner corner of each eye. Load a clean eyeshadow brush with a little highlighter and gently touch it by your tear duct. This will brighten your eyes and make them look more vivid.^[9]
   • Highlighters can be any type of powder makeup that is very light (at least a little lighter than your natural skin tone). Popular choices of eye shadow highlighters are honey and white. You can also use lighter tones from powder foundations, concealers, or contouring kits.
5. Blend your eyeshadows well. Use a clean makeup brush. A buffing brush will work best. Place the brush at the outer corner of your eyelid at the lashline. Make small, circular buffing motions from the corner to about a quarter of the way across your eyelid. This should blend the two colors together to create a seamless, airbrushed look. Next, run your brush back and forth along your eye crease. This will soften the shadow and make it look less harsh.^[10]
   
6. Add some eyeliner. Feel free to go a little heavy with the liner if you want. For the easiest (but still glamorous) look, simply line your upper lid with black. Start at the top outer corner of your eyelid and trace the lid towards your nose.
   • If your hand isn't steady, try using a pencil instead of liquid liner. Liquid liner can be easier for some people to use but is harder to smudge and blend to correct uneven lines.
   • Another easy and popular eyeliner style is the cat eye look. Simply add two more lines to the standard upper eyelid one you started with. Extend this line further out until the corner lines up with the end of your eyebrow. Next, take it back in and lightly line the outer half of your lower lid. Liquid and gel liners typically give you the best results for this sharp look.
7. Finish up with mascara. Mascara works to open up your eyes by enhancing the lashes. For this style, you can use dark, dramatic mascara on either the top or both eyelids.
   • Do your best to keep your mascara from clumping. To prevent clumping don't use more than two coats. If your mascara is clumping with only one or two coats, try removing excess product from the brush with a tissue before applying.^[11]

EditPrepping Your Canvas

1. Start with your usual face routine. If you use foundation and/or concealer, apply these products before working on your eyes. Leave your eyebrows, blush, bronzer, and any contouring for after you apply your eye makeup.
   • You don't always have to put makeup on in this order. Some people, including professional makeup artists, have a unique preferred application method. When you're just starting out, however, this is the easiest and most widely-used option.
2. Apply eye primer. No matter what style eye makeup you'll end up putting on, putting down a base layer of primer on your lids will give you the best results. Primer gives you a smooth surface to work with, making the rest of your eye makeup much easier to apply. It also helps keep your makeup in place, preventing it from rubbing or sliding off.
   
   • General makeup primer will also work for this step.
   • If you don't have primer, you can use a layer of foundation and concealer instead. Make sure to seal it with powder to help your eyeshadow stick to this base.^[12]
3. Curl your eyelashes. Eyelash curlers can look intimidating, but they're actually very easy to use. If you decide to curl your lashes, be sure to do so before applying any mascara. Curling after the mascara has been applied can cause lash breakage.^[13]
   
   • Curling your eyelashes will make them look longer and fuller. It also makes your eyes look more open and alert.^[14]

EditVideo

EditThings You'll Need

• Makeup or eye primer
• Makeup brushes
• Eyeshadow(s)
• Eyeliner
• Mascara
• Eyelash curler

EditRelated wikiHows

• Apply Eye Makeup on a Creaseless Eye
• Make Your Eyes Look Good Without Makeup
• Do Makeup for Green Eyes
• Do Black Eye Makeup

EditSources and Citations

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