The Best Eyeshadow Makeup Tips, According to MUAs

If you've ever gotten your makeup done professionally, you know eyeshadow can take your look to the next level. However, if you don't often wear a lot of makeup, eyeshadow — and all of the palettes and brushes that come along with it — can feel pretty intimidating. Luckily, it doesn't have to involve hours of watching YouTube videos.

To help you get started, we spoke with makeup artists Adam Breuchaud and Keanda Snagg to find out everything there is to know about how to apply eyeshadow correctly. Discover all of their pro tips and tricks so that you can create looks ranging from "no makeup" makeup to all-out glam.

Meet the expert

• Adam Breuchaud is a Los Angeles-based celebrity makeup artist. He has worked with Sarah Paulson, Nicola Coughlan, and more.
• Keanda Snagg is a professional makeup artist.

Keep scrolling for our complete guide to applying eyeshadow like a MUA.

Step 1: Gather Your Tools

First, you'll want to make sure you have a good set of professional makeup brushes. Next, choose an eyeshadow you're dying to work with, as well as a good primer. Then, to finish off, grab your favorite mascara and eyeliner, and don't forget to get creative.

Breuchaud stressed the importance of discovering what works best for you rather than following trends. 

"The fun part of makeup is there really are no rules," he said. 

Snagg recommended the Laruce Beauty Tapered Blending Brush and Short Shadow Brush. 

"[They are] super soft and affordable," Snagg explained.

Don't be afraid to use your hands if that's easier for you. "Some cream eyeshadows apply and spread easily with your finger," Breuchaud shared.

VIDEO: The Unexpected Eye Makeup Color That's About to Be Everywhere

Step 2: Wash Your Face and Makeup Brushes

Before applying makeup, you want to ensure your skin and makeup brushes are clean. For your skin, look for a hydrating facial cleanser. As for your eye makeup brushes, give them a good wash with something as simple as Dove Antibacterial Hand Wash or Dial Antibacterial Liquid Hand Soap. Then, make sure to lay them flat so they dry properly.

Step 3: Apply Eyeshadow Primer

Prep your eyes by sweeping some primer across your lids. 

"I find it helps the eyeshadow stay and look more pigmented," said Breuchaud.

On the other hand, Snagg opts out of primer and instead sticks with products like cream blushes, eyeshadows, and vibrant eye pencils as her base. 

"It helps matte eyeshadows pop, and the shimmer eyeshadows illuminate more while lasting all day," she said. 

Breuchaud added, "Primers or cream shadow colors can be an easy way to add depth or gradation to your look."

Step 4: Build Your Base

After your primer has been applied, it's time to build your base. The easiest way to create a beginner's eye is to opt for a makeup palette with complementary colors.

While the color spectrum is your oyster, it's good to keep in mind that there are four general shades you will use to build the perfect beginner eyeshadow look: a neutral color on your base, medium shade in your crease for depth, darker color for the outer corner of your eye, and shimmer shade or lighter color to highlight underneath your brow and for your inner eye to open them up.

For bright colors like red, blue, pink, and green, Breuchaud revealed that they "tend to all apply and blend slightly different." 

So, make sure to keep this in mind when you are trying new colors. 

"Give yourself extra time to play and the grace to learn," he advised.

If you like to play with deep dark tones, such as deep browns, purples, grays, and blacks, try using a smaller brush to help control where you place the shadow, instructed Breuchaud.

Step 5: Apply a Neutral Shade to Your Lid

Start with the neutral color and place it over your entire lid. Then, you'll want to define your crease (where your lid and brow bone meet) with something complementary for the base. So, for example, say you are using a light brown; you may want to use a slightly darker brown for the crease, then blend it out.

Step 6: Add a Darker Color to Outer Corners

For the outer corners of the eyes, start by taking an angled brush and applying a color darker than what you used on your crease. You'll want to create a V-shape from your lash line to the outer portion of your eye crease — and remember, start with just a little bit of product, then work your way up.

"Applying too much product is a repeated problem with everyone these days," Snagg shared. "Technique, the right brushes, and patience are key."

Step 7: Highlight

Once you're done, you'll want to finish off your look with a highlight. Choose a shimmery shadow within your color palette, apply it underneath your brow bone and inner eye, and watch your eyes pop.

Step 8: Blend

Finally, you'll want to blend everything. Although your eye makeup consists of four different colors, it shouldn't look like it. Spend time blending so the colors meld together and you don't have sharp lines. Blending brings the entire look together.

Step 9: Apply Eyeliner

After applying your shadow, now is the time to use your eyeliner. Snagg is a fan of The Lip Bar "Straight Outta Patience" Eyeliner. 

"It's super black, soft, and long-wearing," she revealed.

Breuchaud also shared that it's important to pay attention to the eyeliner formula before applying it. 

"Some stay 'wet' and 'moveable' longer, and some almost immediately 'dry' and want to stay in place," he explained. "Depending on your eye shape and liner abilities, the first can be helpful as you have more time to move and apply it. However, if you have a smaller eyelid or hooded eyelid, this type of liner can get all over quickly if you blink or look up before it's dry. In [this] case, the second type of liner might suit you better."

Step 10: Finish with Mascara

Finish off your new eye look with your favorite mascara (or faux lashes if you prefer).

Photographer: BriAnne Willis, assisted by Katy Andrascik. Hair: Madison Sullivan. Makeup: Hiro Yonemoto. Production: Retouching: Kevin Lee. Kelly Chiello, assisted by Amanda Lauro.

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