Beginners Guide to Choosing Eyeshadow

Eye Shadows
Eye shadows are available as powders, creams, gels and pencils. They are used to emphasize the eyes by adding colour.

Powders
These eye shadows have a talc base which is mixed with oil to give a creamy texture. The come in either pressed powder or loose powder form. Pressed powders are easier to control. A frosted or pearlised effect can be produced by powder eye shadows which have ingredients such as bismuth or mica added to them. A metallic effect may be produced by adding gold leaf, aluminum or bronze.

Creams
Cream eye shadows contain wax, oil and pigments. They do tend to "melt" on the skin and settle into the creases of the skin on the eyelids and so are the least popular eye shadows.

Gels
These eye shadows have a similar composition to gel foundation but have different pigments added. A translucent wash of colour is produced by gel eye shadows and this is effective on young people who are aiming for a more natural look.

Pencils
There is a basic formulation of oils and waxes with pigments added in eye shadow pencils. If a hard line is not required they are soft enough to be blended like powder eye shadow can be. Eye shadow pencils are easy to apply and this makes them popular.

Choosing Colours
There are so many eye shadow colours to choose from, it can be hard to decide. If you're just starting out with eye shadow, brown is a good place to start because it suits everyone. Light shades are best for people with fair hair and skin and darker shades work for people with darker hair and skin.

Dark, muted colours, for example charcoal, brown, olive and plum define the eye contours and give a sophisticated look. They can be applied carefully with a fine brush to subtle eye lining effects on people who are fair skinned.

Pastel colours, for example pale blue, light aqua, pale green and peach give very soft effects when used. They suit people with fair skin and hair best.

Eyes can be made to look bigger by applying a very pale colour, for example white, on the arch of the brow and a darker colour on the lids.

Soft, muted colours, for example grey, beige, sage and mauve give more subtle effects than the "purer" eye shadow colours. When a more natural effect is required, these are used.