When it comes to wearing makeup, I’ve always been more interested in eye shadow than lipstick. That’s probably because my eyes — blue-grey with long lashes and dark brows (thanks, mom and dad!) — are my better feature. My lips are actually so thin that the top one virtually disappears when I smile. Who wants to bother with lip color when you can hardly see it?
I also love eye makeup because there are so many more fun ways to wear it than lipstick. From simple to smokey, unlined to cat eye, you can change up your look with every application.
That’s why I thought it’d be fun to partner with HP to share my three go-to eye makeup looks. Ever since my 5-minute makeup post, I’ve been asked by readers for more beauty tutorials, but photographing myself applying makeup is a little bit tricky. Instead, I used my brushes and shadows on face charts I found on BeautyEtc.com, scanned them with the Sprout’s 14-megapixel high-res camera, and added handwritten text using the futuristic Touch Mat.
Whenever I wear eye shadow, I always start with my favorite Urban Decay primer. Worn underneath Buxom’s new primer-infused eye shadow, the color lasts all day and all night. (Yes, I sometimes sleep in my makeup. I can be too lazy to wash my face before bed.)
Look One
Pick a color, any color! A single wash of color is the easiest of the three eye makeup looks.
The trick is to blend the color up from your lash line to just slightly above the crease. Unless you’re walking the runway, you want your shadow to be more intense down near your eye lashes — not all over. Use a blending brush to soften any obvious lines in the crease.
Look Two
For this eye makeup look, you’ll need two shadows within the same color family. Neutrals like taupes and browns are perfect for daytime, or try pinks and purples for a more dramatic evening look.
Start by sweeping the lighter shade across your lid with a large fluffy brush. Using a smaller soft brush or a crease brush, smudge the dark color into your crease working from the outside in so that the color is darker near the outer edge of your eye. Finish by using your blending brush to soften the line of color in your crease. You don’t want it to look like a stripe!
Look Three
The final eye makeup look is an easy way to wear bright summery shadows if all-over color isn’t your thing. Start by brushing a pale shade like white, silver, or beige across your lid. With a small stiff brush, tap the darker color on outer half of your lid, starting at the corner and working in toward the middle of your eye. Once again, use a blending brush to soften the line where the light and dark colors meet.
Finish all three looks with a couple swipes of your favorite mascara!
Which of these three eye makeup looks will you try this weekend?
This post was written in partnership with HP. As always, all ideas and opinions are my own. Thanks for supporting the brands that support this blog! #SproutbyHP #CIY #GoMakeThings
I usually keep my makeup pretty neutral, but all three of these looks are great! I love that Urban Decay primer, too.
Oh, and how cool is the Sprout?!
What a clever use of the sprout!!
My faves is the last. I always go for pinks and purples!
Oh I love this! I never know what to do with my eye shadow and I just picked up a new Bare Minerals palette that’s very similar to the one you featured. The third look is my favorite! I’m going to try it this weekend.
That third look! Love the idea that you can bring in pops of extra color. Such a great idea!
Oh wow, had no idea you could use the Sprout like this. Very cool, and beautiful looks!
Love this idea, PJ! What a great way to use your Spout, too. You’ve got great handwriting, by the way.