Brittany Leitner
Instagram/@lorencanbymakeup
Eyeshadow can definitely be intimidating. Twenty years ago, you had to wait for print magazines to come out, only to follow step-by-step static photographs that always made you feel like you were missing some secret to success. Then, when YouTube finally came around, we watched as artists created elaborate, multi-step looks that were stunning, but impossible to recreate from home.
Finally, today, we have entered our TikTok era, where beauty hacks reign supreme and no one has an “awkward phase” anymore. That’s thanks to all of the new product innovations, combined with access to expert information that makes eyeshadow and other makeup products easier to apply than ever. And for beauty lovers that means one thing: Eyeshadow is back! The ability to create MUA-approved looks is now at your fingertips—you just have to know a few easy tricks. If your beauty looks have gone stale lately, we’re rounding up some stunning eyeshadow inspiration pictures to get you excited about eyeshadow again. Screenshot these, save the link, or text them to your friends who need to breathe life back into their eyeshadow routines.
It's about glam time you treated yourself.
Lainey Wilson’s subtle eyeshadow look made a big impact at the American Music Awards, thanks to the attention to creasetail (get it?). Start with an all-over base color that’s about one to two shades lighter than your natural skin tone. Then, zero in on your crease with a burnt brown or orange-brown shade. Use a smaller, dense brush to pack in color exactly where you want it. For this, we love the ELIZABETH MOTT All Over Shadow Brush. Then, if you desire, you can fan it out with a fluffier brush. Use a golden liquid shimmer shadow all over the lid and on top of the crease to make this effortless look pop.
The dewy look on skin is in, so why not extend the radiance to your eyeshadow look? Start by grabbing an illuminating serum that you can mix in with your foundation. We love the KEYS SOULCARE Let Me Glow Illuminating Serum for this. Add it to your foundation for a dewy, highlighted look, then dial up the shine by adding the serum itself to the brow bone, tapping above the crease at the highest point of your eye. You don’t even need to build a full eyeshadow look first; the highlighter will do all the talking.
We love an eyeshadow look that only requires one product. For this look, it’s the placement that makes it look professional, even though it’s a foolproof technique even eyeshadow newbies can pull off—promise! First, grab any glittery liquid eyeshadow (the BILLION DOLLAR BROWS 3-Pack Shimmer Liquid Eyeshadow is perfect, since you can choose from three dimensional shades). Then, pat the product directly onto the eyelid with the applicator, all the way to the bottom of the brow. Bonus points if you add a thick, bold eyeliner for a truly galactic look. Or get the look in seconds using eyeliner stickers.
The key to getting everyone at the party to talk about your makeup look is not some sort of intense makeup artist training, but again, placement. This grungy look is unique and gives immediate cool-girl vibes. Start with a matte gray color across the eyelid. If you want to build this look out, add a lighter nude color into the center to truly make the gray stand out. Then, grab a chrome eyeshadow that gives an oil-slick effect. For this, we love the NATASHA DENONA Chromium Liquid Eyeshadow in Infra Nude. Pack this liquid shadow into the corner of your eyes, then bring it down into your natural under-eye circle. You’ll look like you just left a Lady Gaga concert or were working it as a backup dancer (goals!).
Eyeshadow can mean whatever you want it to mean. Why blend out a single color all over the lid when you can make a statement with a geometric line? Grab any eyeshadow palette you have, then reach for a charcoal or brown shade. We love the BEAUTY VAULTE Eyeshadow Palette that has great neutral base colors. Then, grab an eyeliner brush and get it slightly wet. Dip the brush into the darkest shade in your shadow palette, then draw a line just above your natural crease. Make sure the line extends across the entire eye.
Pull your eyeshadow color underneath your eye for a full 360-degree effect. Choose any brown, gray, or black shade, and pat it more densely near the lash line. Then, fan out the color with a thicker, fluffier brush as you reach up toward the eyebrow. Then grab the dense brush again and pat the eyeshadow underneath the eye at the lash line. Fan the shadow out with the dense brush, pulling outward.
A dewy finish isn’t just for your face. Use a vinyl liquid shadow to create a wet look on your eyelids. For this, we’re obsessed with the ABOUT-FACE Vinyl Effect Eye Gloss. Just remember, for this look, less is more. You can pat the vinyl shadow onto the crease, under the brow bone, and in the corners of eyes.
This is the easiest eyeshadow look to try if you want to incorporate a bold, larger-than-life color, no matter what the occasion is. Use a liquid eyeshadow for extra pigment, like an ABOUT-FACE Matte Fluid Eye Paint. This shadow comes with a doe-foot applicator, so you can paint the shape directly onto your eye. Dip an eyeliner brush into makeup remover, and then use that to sharpen up the edges.
Try this barely-there look if you’re someone who’s still a little intimidated by bold shadow colors. Grab any brownish neutral color you have, and fluff it out with a larger brush on the base of the eyelid. Then grab a pinky-peach shade and dust it on top, reaching toward the crease.
Trust us, this looks way more complicated than it is. The key to this look looking sharper than knives is the fact that the eyeshadow doesn’t blend seamlessly from the lid to the cheek. Instead, a sharp line is created to mimic a cat eyeliner effect. To create this look, apply eyeshadow all over the lid—and remember, going outside of the lines is totally fine! Then grab a makeup wipe and press firmly from the outer corner of your eye and pull upwards in a diagonal line. Apply concealer over where you dragged the makeup wipe to intensify the effect.
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