3 Makeup Looks to Play Up Monolids

Over the years I've watched quite a few Youtube videos of makeup tutorials. I follow several makeup gurus from different race and ethnic backgrounds, and have seen many videos geared towards "Asian eyes." First off, I find it slightly offensive to assume that all Asians have the same eye shape, especially when I know what they really mean. Most of these videos are suppose to be helping those with monolids. What monolids mean is that a person has single eyelids, or double eyelids that are pretty much covered up. A good example of someone who has monolids would be Sandra Oh from Grey's Anatomy. I've seen many videos geared toward "fixing" monolids but very few that actually teaches women to work with what they have. I personally don't have monolids because it's just not a physical trait that either of my parents have. But if you do, don't hide it instead embrace it. I've put together three makeup looks that will help you play up your monolids.

Before we start there are some tools that you'll need to gather for all three looks. I'll leave the brands to you since I feel that using a specific brand might confuse some into thinking that it can't be substituted. You'll need an eye shadow primer, a fluffy shadow brush, a blending brush, a fluffy blending brush, a pencil brush, a flat eyeliner brush, black liquid eyeliner, your favorite mascara and a pair of false lashes (this can be skipped). I'll list the eye shadow colors as we get to the different looks.

First off, you'll need to prep your face the way you would normally. If you like to put down foundation and powder before doing your eyes, do so. Although I find it much easier to do my eyes first and then apply concealer in case of fall out. Don't forget to prime your eyelids. Once all of that is done it's time to get started.

Smoky and Sultry

For this look you'll need three shades of eyeshadow, a silver color, a gun metal grey color, and a matte black color. Using a shadow brush pick up some silver and apply it to the inner one-third of your eyelids. Then apply the gun metal grey to the middle one-third, and blend slightly where the two colors meet. Taking the matte black, apply it to the one-third outer portions of your eye, and again blend slightly where the two colors meet. Now take a pencil brush and dab it in the silver, and apply it to the inner corners of your eyes, and down half way on the bottom lash line. Take the gun metal grey and apply it on the other half of your bottom lash line. Blend slightly where the two colors meet. You're almost done. The last shadow step is to take the matte black shadow and using a flat liner brush, apply the color along your lower lash line, then smudge it slightly to soften the lines. The last step to this look is to apply a black liquid or gel eyeliner to the top lash line. It's up to you how you want to apply it, but I like to wing it out. To polish this look off don't forget to apply a matte nude color to highlight your brows. Apply it just underneath your brow bone.

Look Glowing

This next look will give your eyes some sparkle, and really brighten up your face. The colors you'll need for this look are a shimmer brown, deep brown-grey, matte eggshell color, metallic white, and a dark brown that has a gold shimmer to it.

The first step is to use a fluffy brush to apply the shimmer brown all over your lids. Then take that fluffy brush and apply the deep brown-grey to the outer corners of your eyes and blending it inwards. As you're blending it inwards remember to keep it within the outer half of your eyelids. Clean off your fluffy brush, or get another, and apply the matte eggshell color just underneath your brow bone to highlight your brows. Using a pencil brush dab a little of the metallic white, and apply it to the inner corner of your eyes and down the to the lower lash about half way. Take that same pencil brush and use it to apply the shimmer brown to the rest of your lower lash. Now use a flat liner brush to apply the dark brown with gold shimmer along your lower lash lines. To round off this look apply a brown liquid or gel eyeliner to your upper lash line, and voila your eyes are finished.

Everyday Neutrals

This last look is fairly simple and muted so it can be used as an everyday look. The shadows you'll need are shimmer brown, matte dark brown, matte eggshell or light creamy nude, a light cream or white shimmer color, and a dark brown with gold shimmer shade.

You'll start off by applying the shimmer brown all over your lids, then apply the matte dark brown with a fluffy brush to the base of your lash line, and blending up. Make sure to blend out the edges so that they don't look harsh. Using a clean fluffy brush, apply the matte eggshell or light creamy nude color underneath your brow bone. Take a pencil brush and dab it into the light cream or white shimmer color, and apply it to the inner corners of your eyes and down to about one-third of the lower lashes. Now take that pencil brush and apply the matte dark brown to the rest of the lower lash line, smudging it just slightly. You're now going to use a flat liner brush and the dark brown with gold shimmer shadow to line your lower lash lines. Finish this look off by apply a black liquid or gel liner to your top lash line.

There are many ways to wear eye makeup no matter your eye shape. These are just three looks for monolids. These looks don't try to hide or 'fix' anything, instead they serve to play up the exotic-ness that many people often associate with monolids. It's okay to want to change yourself so long as you're doing it for yourself and not to try to blend in with everyone else. Every woman is unique, and there's nothing more beautiful than a confident woman.