Besides the perfect liquid eyeliner, and achieving a professional-looking eyeshadow application has long been up there in skill required.
Sure, anyone can dash on a bit of powder shadow, but a polished, appealing result is harder than it seems.
In the past it involved a significant number of steps, an eyeshadow primer, several brushes for the tonal shade transitions, and much talk about ‘defining the crease.’
These days however, there has been a shift to more understated eyeshadow looks, giving matte powder products a swerve in favour of creams, eyeshadow sticks and liquid eyeshadow products in dreamy shimmers that are far easier to apply.
Before we get into our favourite easy eyeshadow products, there is one essential tip that applies regardless of which product you choose: Blend, blend and blend some more. Once you have the colour on your eyelid, use a fluffy blending brush (MAC’s 224 brush or Morphe’s M331 Tapered Blender Eyeshadow Brush are great) in a polishing motion to blend the edges of the colour so there’s no harsh line. If it’s a cream product you can always use your finger, just make sure those edges are blended.
If you’re a novice or you have no desire to spend more time than necessary applying makeup these are the products to reach for:
MAC Pro Longwear Paintpot
A makeup icon, this product can be used on its own, or as a base that works well to increase the vibrancy or staying power of powder shadow applied over top. It’s particularly good for helping keep colour in place if you have oily eyelids.
In this instance, to use for a simple look, run a fingertip over the surface and then pat over the fleshy part of your eye towards the crease. Then use that clean fluffy eye brush or a clean finger to buff away the edges.
Armani Eye Tint Liquid Eyeshadow
Makeup formulation has come a long way and now colour can be dispensed in a liquid wash of colour. What’s great about this products is the subtle finish it gives. It’s hard to make a mistake, and the results always look lovely. Unfortunately it has made Armani’s eye tint hot property, so it can often be sold out.
Apply with the applicator over eyelid and blend gently with a finger. For more colour intensity you can go over with another layer, making sure to blend into the crease and lash line.
L’Oréal Paris Paradise Le Shadow Stick
Probably the easiest product shown here and the reason we love eyeshadow sticks in general. You just scribble colour over the mobile part of your eyelid and yes, blend the edges. Champagne and bronzy neutral browns are very forgiving shades, just star with a little and add more. For an even more low-key look run a darker shadow stick along your upper eyelash line and blend with a small brush.
RMS Beauty Eyelights Cream Eyeshadow
Application for this product is very similar, apply to your fingertip and spread over the eyelid. We love the modern variety of shades that have an understated pearlescent quality (no obvious glitter) that looks flattering at any age.
NARS Eyeshadow Quad
Finally, we have the classic form of powder eyeshadow. What makes using an eyeshadow quad easier (and by no means do you have to apply every shade) is that the colour combinations are already chosen for you. So you can sweep a light matte shadow over your eyelid, and add a bit of depth or touch of shimmer with a small brush along the upper and lower lash lines.
