Today I’m going to show you a simple eye look that you can wear everyday. This look is like a great pair of jeans: it always fits and flatters, goes with anything, and can be dressed up or down. So grab your eyeshadows and the fresh clean brushes we talked about in last week’s post, and let’s get going!

The basic idea is that you’ll want to follow the two simple art principles of highlighting and contouring, as applied to the eyes:

Highlight

• brow bone
• inner corner
• lid

Contour

• crease
• outer corner
• And lastly, you’ll want to define the lash line with eyeliner

We’re going to use three colors: a light, a medium, and a dark. You can use neutrals, or you can go bold, but the concepts are the same. If you’re new to eyeshadow, I recommend starting off with neutrals, then experimenting with different color groupings, and then adding pops of bold color. Don’t be afraid to experiment! Today, I’m using Champagne Pearl for my light, Lavender Shale for my medium, and Matte Black for my dark.

So let’s get started!

First, wash and moisturize. (Always!) If you have oily skin, you can prep your lids with a dab of foundation; your shadow will last much longer!

Now take a medium-sized flat eyeshadow brush (our Large All-Over Brush is perfect) and apply your light shadow along your brow bone, in the center of your lids, and in the inner corners of your eyes. Use a stamping motion, not a sweeping one. This will give you the most precise application, the truest and most pigmented color, and will minimize “fallout” (when your shadow ends up dusting down underneath your eyes, making a mess). Basically just keep your brush in contact with your skin as much as possible, and press/tap rather than sweep/flick.

Next, grab your medium shadow and a crease brush like our Angled Sculptor Brush. You’re going to swirl the shadow into your crease area, starting in the outer corner and working your way to about two-thirds in toward your nose. Be sure to blend well!

Lastly, finish off with just a bit of your dark shadow in the outer corners, making a slight “V” shape following the natural line of the corner of your eye. I use the domed brush that is found in our Seven-Piece Brush Set; its rounded shape and domed top get the color right where I want it, just on the outer 1/3 of the corner. Again, blend blend, blend. You don’t want to see a distinct line where the shadow stops. Think wispy like smoke!

I personally don’t consider any eye look complete without eyeliner. So, line your eyes using our Angled Liner Brush and your dark color. You can either apply the liner dry for a soft, smoky (and more casual) look, or moisten your brush slightly and apply it wet for a more dramatic liquid liner look. I’d detail this in the video!

Add mascara and you’re set!