Create beautiful eyeshadow looks using these drugstore palettes

Beautiful eyeshadow looks might seem like advanced artistry. Maybe people reserve trying one for a night out or a special occasion. But eyeshadow 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 eyeshadow palette is a great start. It can take the guesswork out of shade matching and finishes, and make it easy to incorporate a variety of effects and combinations.

But not all eyeshadow palettes are created equal. Makeup artist and Milani Cosmetics partner Carol Park 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."

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

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How to apply eyeshadow

It's essential to prep skin as a first step. "For normal skin, I always make sure to powder the lid before applying the eyeshadow," says L.A. based celebrity makeup artist Kelsey Deenihan. "If the skin is slightly oily or if someone just needs a little more grip, use an eyeshadow primer."

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

Just as important are the tools — namely, eyeshadow brushes. “The average person only needs three types of eyeshadow 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 someone to press the eyeshadow into the lid “for maximum coverage and minimal fall out,” says Park.

How to do a smoky eye

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

"The most important part of a smoky eye is the blending," says Elaina Badro, makeup artist and founder of Elaina Badro Makeup Brushes. "This is because people want to see a color gradient rather than a block of color."

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

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

Once the colors are chosen, follow these steps:

1. Use a blending brush to deposit the 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 while blending 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 a 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 smoky effect," says Park.

How to do glittery eyeshadow

Want to pull out all the stops for a wedding or the holidays? Consider glitter eyeshadow palettes. Since the shimmery finish packs a punch, it’s all someone needs for a festive eyeshadow look — along with their prep, of course.

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

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

How to do natural, simple eyeshadow looks

For a natural eyeshadow 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 eyeshadow palette in warm neutrals, which has a balanced mix of matte and metallic shades.

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

If someone is heading to the office or for coffee with a friend, they may add more polish to their look with neutral eyeshadow. "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 eyeshadow as a great option for this look.

To embody that everyday eyeshadow 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 someone wants more drama, they can use that medium shade on the outer corners of the eye and follow it with the darkest shade, which they can smudge under the lower lash line as well. "It defines the eye without closing it in," she says.

How to do colorful eyeshadow looks

A colorful eyeshadow 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 someone is looking for a quick pop of color," says Badro.

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

As someone layers 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 eyeshadow look," says Park.

Este contenido es solo para fines informativos y no constituye un asesoramiento médico. Consult your health care provider before taking any vitamins or supplements and prior to beginning or changing any health care practices.