The best way to start an eye shadow look is with a base color. This provides the underlying tone for your look and helps prevent creasing or fallout. You can use any neutral shade as a base, but I prefer cream products because they are easier to blend and less likely to crease. My favorite cream product is the MAC Paint Pot in Painterly (a soft taupe).

If you have hooded eyes, choose a matte eye shadow that’s one or two shades darker than your skin tone. If you have deep-set eyes, choose an eye shadow that’s one or two shades lighter than your skin tone. A medium-toned base will work for most people.

If you want more drama and definition, apply two different colors on each lid: a dark shade near the lash line and a light shade toward the brow bone. To make this look work, choose complementary colors that are opposite each other on the color wheel. For example: blue-green (aqua) and orange; yellow-orange (lemon chiffon) and purple; brownish purple (moss) and green; or burgundy (plum night)

Last modified: October 12, 2022