Make-up is supposed to be fun and expressive.  However, I constantly get questions from stressed-out clients and friends asking how to enhance the look of their eyes.  “What colors are best?”  “Should I use matte or shimmer shades?”   ”Do I need to add color or stick with neutrals?”   My best advice is to play and experiment and find what’s best for you.  Purple shimmer may look gorgeous with your emerald green eyes, but if you favor a more subtle look, purple shimmer is not right for you.  Also, pay attention and replicate looks that you see on others that you admire. 

I had the pleasure of working with 3 lovely ladies on creating everyday make-up looks.  We weren’t just choosing colors, it was our own mini make-up clinic on where to apply, shade and sparkle.  I used the same basic techniques on all three ladies, just interchanging color and texture to show them how slight changes can change a look.

In this illustration:  ”1″ is an all over eyeshadow base.  “2″ is the lid shade and “3″ is the crease/above the crease shade.  This is the same basic technique I used on each lady, although the looks are totally different.  Whether we went natural (Tracy), colorful (Catherine) or dramatic (Leah), each of their looks mirror this basic diagram.

Tracy:  Simple, sleek and chic.  Miss Tracy doesn’t like to wear much make-up, so it was essential that I create a simple look using basic shades to give a sculpted, polished look.  1> Apply an allover eyeshadow base.  This will even out discolorations and give your powder shadows something to ‘grab’ onto… resulting in longer wear.  2> Apply matte chocolate brown eyeshadow on the entire lower lid.  I used a fluffy eyeshadow brush to give a sheer look.  But, if you want more color payoff, use an eyeshadow brush with denser bristles.  3> Apply a shimmery silver eyeshadow in and above the crease.  Silver creates a beautiful contrast to chocolate brown and adds brightness to the look.  Line with black, brown or gray and apply mascara.

Catherine:  For Catherine’s colorful eye look, I played with both color and texture to emphasis her beautiful brown eyes.  I personally love the look of blonde hair and brown eyes… very pretty.   To create this look:  1> Apply an all over eyeshadow base (Estee Lauder Double Wear Cream Eyeshadow in Ivory Lace is my all-time fave) from lash line to brow. 2> Apply a high shimmer gold eyeshadow like Bobbi Brown’s Limited Edition Chrome Eyeshadow in Gold all over the lid. 3> Sweep a medium, matte brown eyeshadow on and above the crease.  The contrast between a shimmery lid and matte crease gives you more definition… and keeps you from looking like a human disco ball.   Finish the look with black eyeliner, mascara and you are ready to rock! 

Leah: Miss Leah has amazing blue eyes, so I really wanted to play them up with a dramatic eye look. 1>Cream eyeshadow base.  By now you know what kind and where to apply. 2> Apply a deep aubergine shade on the lid.  Play with texture and finishes.  For this look, the lid shade was neither shimmer, nor matte.  Just a nice deep eyeshadow.  3> Sweep on a neutral brown shade above the crease with a fluffy eyeshadow brush.  I used a topaz shade with some shimmer to give ease in blending.   Line and add mascara to lashes… diva-ready in mere minutes!

There you go, three simple examples to get you started.  Dig deep in your cosmetic bag/drawer/Ca-boodle… play with all of those glorious eye shadows and create a signature look that’s one-of-a-kind… just like you!!!