Create beautiful eye shadow looks using these drugstore palettes

Beautiful eye shadow looks might seem like advanced artistry. Maybe you reserve trying one for a night out or a special occasion. But eye shadow skills (the techniques of color and definition) can elevate makeup looks any day of the week.

The good news? Learning them isn't so difficult. A solid eye shadow palette is a great start, taking the guesswork out of shade matching and finishes, and making it easy to incorporate a variety of effects and combinations.

But not all eye shadow palettes are created equal. Makeup artist and Milani Cosmetics partner Carol Park¹ says to look for one that “has a variety of different finishes, great transition colors that are not too shiny and pops of color that flow with the neutral tones in the palette.”

And while some palettes may be a splurge, just as many high-quality options are available at more accessible price points.

En este artículo:

• How to apply eye shadow
• How to do a smokey eye
• How to do glittery eye shadow
• How to do natural, simple eye shadow looks
• How to do colorful eye shadow looks

How to apply eye shadow

It's essential to prep your skin as a first step. "For normal skin, I always make sure to powder the lid before applying the eye shadow," says LA-based celebrity makeup artist Kelsey Deenihan.² “If the skin is slightly oily or if you just need a little more grip, use an eye shadow primer.”

A dedicated base para ojos is also helpful. It can “help intensify the color of your eye shadow, creating a smooth canvas for easier application,” says Park. It can also help with longevity, she notes.

Just as important are your tools — namely, eye shadow brushes. “The average person only needs three types of eye shadow brushes: a blending brush, a small smudging brush and a small, rounded flat brush,” says Park.

The blending brush is used for an all-over wash of color on the lids, while a smudging brush can blend color more precisely along the top and bottom lash lines. The rounded, flat brush is key to applying metallic or glittery colors. It allows you to press the shadow into the lid "for maximum coverage and minimal fall out," says Park.

How to do a smokey eye

El smokey eye brings the drama, making it great for date night or an evening out with friends.

“The most important part of a smokey eye is the blending,” says Elaina Badro, makeup artist and founder of Elaina Badro Makeup Brushes.³ “This is because you want to see a color gradient rather than a block of color.”

To pull that off, Park recommends using three eye shadow colors from a palette: a base color (that’s close to your skin tone), a transition color (a bit deeper than your skin tone), and a deep brown or black shade to deliver the namesake smokiness.

Prueba el Revlon ColorStay eye shadow quad for four complementary colors that check these boxes. It's also helpful to have an extra blending brush on hand.

Once you have your colors chosen, follow these steps:

1. Use a blending brush to deposit your base color all over the eyelid. "This will create an even canvas," says Park.
2. Next, use a second, clean blending brush to blend the transition shade from the lash line to the crease of the eyelid. "Be sure to use a lighter hand as you blend toward the crease, as this will help create that seamless gradation from dark to light," Park notes.
3. Use the brush with the base color to blend out any harsh lines with any leftover powder.
4. Finally, use your smudging brush to apply the black or deep brown color along the lash line, slightly blending up into the transition shade. "Use the same brush to smudge the dark color along the bottom lash line as well for the final smokey effect," says Park.

How to do glittery eye shadow

Want to pull out all the stops for a wedding or the holidays? Consider glitter eye shadow palettes. Since the shimmery finish packs a punch, it’s all you need for a festive eye shadow look — along with your prep, of course.

“With a glittery eye shadow, I always use an eye shadow base color as well as a rounded flat brush to lay the color on the eyelid,” says Park.

Once your eye shadow primer has set, simply use the flat brush to press the pigment onto your lid. "Remember to pat the glitter, don't swipe, as this could loosen the particles," says Badro.

How to do natural, simple eye shadow looks

For a natural eye shadow busque (think the “no-makeup” makeup look), look for colors with a matte finish or, at most, a very fine, subtle shimmer. (In other words, leave the glitter out.) A good option is NYX Professional Makeup Ultimate Edit petite shadow palette in warm neutrals, which has a balanced mix of matte and metallic shades.

Next, "choose neutral colors that are similar to your skin tone," says Deenihan. She recommends choosing a shade that's slightly lighter than your skin tone to highlight on the lids, along with one slightly darker to contour and define the eye in the crease.

If you're heading to the office or for coffee with a friend, add more polish to your visage with neutral eye shadow. "Nudes and warm browns can add shape and definition to the eye while not being too intimidating for someone new to makeup," says Deenihan, who points to the CoverGirl Eye Enhancers 3-Kit Eye Shadow as a great option for this look.

To embody that everyday eye shadow look, use two or three shades. Start by applying the lightest color across the lid. "Follow that by softly sweeping a medium tone in the crease," says Deenihan. Then, if you want more drama, use that medium shade on the outer corners of the eye and follow it with the darkest shade, which you can smudge under the lower lash line as well. "It defines the eye without closing it in," she says.

How to do colorful eye shadow looks

A colorful eye shadow look is a great way to achieve a lot of impact with minimal effort, because the color in question does most of the heavy lifting.

“I love a bright blue underneath the eye if you’re looking for a quick pop of color,” says Badro.

You can also opt for shades that complement your eye color, hair color or outfit. For instance, if you have brown eyes, "use autumnal colors like burnt orange, garnet, yellow-gold and emerald," says Park. She's a fan of the Milani Gilded Gold eye shadow palette, since she says it suits most skin tones.

As you layer on multiple colors, though, they can start to look muddy. To avoid that, Park recommends a "combination of colors that have different finishes and colors that can be used as a highlight and contour of the eyes."

For example, start with a metallic, shimmery gold on the center of the lid and inner corners of the eyes to highlight. Then, follow with a satin-finish green along the lash line and outer crease, which adds dimension. "With the difference in the finish, contrast of light to dark colors and the correct placement, this technique should prevent a muddy looking eye shadow look," says Park.