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How to apply eyeshadow, step by step

By Lookslate · Updated

To apply eyeshadow, prime the lids, sweep a light base shade over the lid, blend a medium transition shade into the crease with a fluffy brush, press a lid shade onto the moving lid with a flat brush or finger, deepen the outer corner, blend every edge, and finish with a light shade on the inner corner. Build color in thin layers and tap off excess powder first.

What you need

  • Three or four shades: a light shade close to your skin, a medium transition shade a little deeper, a deeper shade for the outer corner and, if you like, a lid shade (matte or shimmer). The light or medium shade can double as the lid shade. Many palettes are arranged this way.
  • Two brushes: a fluffy blending brush and a small flat or dense brush. A fingertip works well for shimmer.
  • A lid primer, or a thin layer of concealer set with powder.

For which colors flatter your eyes, see the eye color guide.

Step by step

  1. Prime. Apply a thin layer of lid primer from lash line to brow bone and let it set.
  2. Base. Sweep the light shade over the whole lid area so later shades blend easily.
  3. Transition shade. With the fluffy brush, blend the medium shade into the crease in small back-and-forth strokes. This shade softens every edge that follows.
  4. Lid. Press the lid shade (matte or shimmer) onto the moving lid with a flat brush or fingertip. Pressing gives more color than sweeping.
  5. Outer corner. Tap the deeper shade onto the outer third of the lid and blend it up into the transition shade, angled toward the tail of the brow.
  6. Blend. With a clean fluffy brush, soften the edges until the shades melt into each other.
  7. Lower lash line (optional). Smudge a little of the transition shade under the outer half of the lower lashes to balance the eye.
  8. Inner corner. A touch of a light, bright shade opens the eye.
  9. Finish. Add liner if you like, then mascara.

Tips that make the difference

  • Tap off excess. Tapping the brush before applying stops fallout and patchiness.
  • Build, do not pile. Two thin layers look smoother and last longer than one heavy one.
  • Clean up last, or do eyes first. Dark shades can fall onto the cheeks; either do the eyes before foundation or clean fallout with a little concealer at the end.
  • Check with your eyes open. Placement that looks right with closed eyes can disappear when they are open, especially on hooded lids.

Adjusting for your eye shape

If a fold of skin covers part of the lid, blend the transition shade slightly above the fold with your eyes open; see the hooded eyes guide. If you have no visible crease, build a gradient from the lash line up instead; see the monolid guide. On mature lids, keep matte in the crease and outer corner and shimmer on the center of the lid. For round, deep-set, downturned and other shapes, see makeup for your eye shape.

How this connects to Lookslate

Soft Glam uses this method with warm brown and rose, Smokey Eyes builds the darkest shade along the lash line and outer corner, and Business keeps a single taupe or soft brown across the lid and crease. Your Lookslate result tips suggest eyeshadow shades for your eye color.

Frequently asked questions

How do you apply eyeshadow step by step for beginners?

Prime the lids, sweep a light base shade over the lid area, blend a medium transition shade into the crease, press a lid shade onto the moving lid, deepen the outer corner, blend the edges and add a light shade to the inner corner.

What brushes do I need for eyeshadow?

A fluffy blending brush for the crease and edges and a small flat or dense brush for packing color on the lid. A fingertip works well for shimmer.

Why does my eyeshadow look patchy?

Usually no primer, too much product at once or no transition shade. Prime, tap off excess powder, build in thin layers and blend a transition shade first.

Should I do eyeshadow before or after foundation?

Either works. Doing eyes first lets you clean up fallout from dark shades without ruining your base; with light shades, foundation first is fine.

Looks to try

Soft Glam

Soft glam is a polished but gentle look: an even, luminous base, warm-brown and rose eyeshadow blended until no edge shows, fluttery lashes, diffused rosy blush and a satin pink-nude lip.

How to do Soft Glam makeup

Business

The business look is polished daytime makeup: light, even coverage, neutral taupe or soft brown eyes, a thin line at the lashes, groomed brows, soft rose blush and a muted rose lip.

How to do Business makeup

All faces shown are AI-generated fictional models, not real people.

Related guides

  • The best eyeshadow colors for your eye colorEyeshadow colors that make blue, green, hazel, brown, black and gray eyes stand out, with the color theory behind each choice and day and evening ideas.
  • Makeup for your eye shapeHow to find your eye shape and adapt eyeshadow and liner for almond, round, deep-set, downturned, upturned, close-set and wide-set eyes.
  • Makeup for hooded eyesHow to apply eyeshadow, eyeliner and mascara on hooded eyes: work with your eyes open, blend above the fold, keep liner thin and lift the outer corner.
  • Makeup for monolidsHow to do makeup for monolids: a lash-line-up eyeshadow gradient, liner that thickens toward the outer corner, tightlining and curled waterproof lashes.
  • Makeup brushes for beginnersThe makeup brushes and tools a beginner needs, what each one does, synthetic vs natural bristles, and how often and how to clean brushes and sponges.