How to Apply Bright Eyeshadow

No matter what time of year it is, wearing bright eyeshadow enhances the eye and allows you to bring attention to the face. If you are afraid to go all out with the bright eyeshadow colors, you can still use them to bring a pop of color to the eye without going overboard. It is important to remember that no matter how you use your bright eyeshadow, you will need to keep the rest of the makeup neutral to avoid the overdone look. There are plenty of cosmetic palettes to choose from that feature bright eyeshadow colors, so be adventurous and experiment to find your perfect look.

Start out prepping the eye with primer. Primer is easy to find in any beauty or retail store, and gives your lid an even surface to apply color to. The primer also helps to keep the makeup fresh and crease-free for an extended period of time. Apply the primer to each lid, and pat in thoroughly.

Apply a matte base eyeshadow color to the entire eyelid. If you are going for the subtle look, use a neutral base eye color, and use a brighter color like pink, green, purple or blue along the crease of the eye using a medium eyeshadow brush. For a bold look, apply the bright color of your choice on the entire lid. You may also blend a complementing color in the crease, and use the bright shadow for the lid.

Once you have finished applying the shadow, line the bottom lash line with the bright eyeshadow you used on the lid--only applying halfway across the lash line. This will bring the entire look around the eye, instead of being top-heavy with only color on the upper lid. For a night look, line the upper lash line with liquid eyeliner.

Curl the lashes with an eyelash curler, starting from the lash base and gently crimping the lashes as you work your way up. For a dramatic curl, heat up the eyelash curler with the air from your blow-dryer before using, or use a heated curler.

Apply a coat of mascara to the upper lashes, and then add a second coat. If you choose to add faux lashes, apply them before adding mascara. Dark, thick lashes enhance the look of the eye.

During the day, if you choose to use a bright color but don't want to use all of that makeup, you can still use the bright eyeshadow to use as an eyeliner. Dampen an eyeliner brush, and run it through the shadow. The damp brush will slightly liquefy the shadow, making it easy to apply as a liner. Add a coat of mascara, and you are good to go!