Makeup: How to Construct Glossy Eye Lids

Right now we are going to talk about the "Glossy Eye." The glossy eye look is a personal favorite because it can either be natural looking or very diva. If you are looking for a more natural appeal with the glossy look you may want to look at beige, creme, tan, and lights browns; if you are looking for a more standout-ish diva look go with blues, purples, greens, etc.

What you are going to need:

Concealer (that matches your skin ton exact or one shade lighter than your skin tone)

Shadow Brush

Concealer Brush (optional - you can simply use your fingers if you would prefer)

Thee different shades of eye shadow: highlight shade, mid tone shade, and contour shade (make sure to pick a shadow that will compliment the look you desire - whether that be natural, semi-dramatic, full dramatic, diva, etc. When picking your shadows, make sure they go well with one another. The mid tone shade is your main shade; the highlight shade should be one level lighter than your mid tone; the contour shade should be one level darker than the mid tone shade. These three shades should be in a loose - glossy powder).

Mascara (optional - if you would like fuller/longer lashes get a mascara. Keep in mind brown goes best with lighter hair and black goes best with darker hair)

Eye liner (optional - eye liner will add extra emphases to your eye shape and lashes. Pick a color that matches your mascara, if you are wearing any)

Large powder brush (optional - the large powder brush is used to sweep over your eye once the look is complete to remove any fallen shadow dust. Removing shadow dust with a large powder brush will eliminate any smudging.)

Blending Brush

Glossy-eye shadow stick: (this shade should be lighter than your mid tone shade)

Small pointed eye shadow brush

First Step:

Before applying your makeup make sure you are working with a clean face. It is best to wash your face with a makeup removing cleanser (to make sure there is no old makeup left), apply a toner, and moisturize. Moisturizing before makeup application ensures a more even texture appearance, thus a more natural look and less of a makeup look. Allow five minutes for your moisturizer to settle into your skin.

Second Step:

If you use foundation, now would be the time to apply it. Do not apply concealer before foundation (foundation tends to smudge and wipe away concealer).

Third Step:

Apply concealer under your eye and on the eye lid. Concealer is a base for eye shadow and helps the shadow last longer. Concealer also absorbs skin oils that can/will cause your eye shadow to dissolve and run.

Fourth Step:

Using your glossy-stick shadow, apply a coat of shadow to the entire lid (the lid is from lash base to crease, from inner corner to outer corner). Use a blending brush to blend the mid tone shade into your eye lid (do this by using circular motions with the blending brush).

*Work with one eye at a time - this keeps the shade stick fresh and tacky for the next step*

Fifth Step:

Apply two thin coats of the highlight shade (the lightest shade) over your entire eye lid.

Sixth Step:

Dab the small pointed eye shadow brush in the contour powder (the darkest color). Lightly press the powder into the inner corner or your eye and a little on your lid right above your lash base).

Seventh Step:

From the outer corner of your eye lid to the beginning of your pupil, sweep a thin coat of the mid tone shade over the lid. Make special note to stay away from the center of the eye lid (this section belongs to the highlight shade).

Eighth Step:

Wet the shadow brush and lightly dab it off with a dry cloth. In a one way motion with extreme gentleness, sweep the wet brush over your eye lid to make a glossy appearance. Make sure to use a gentle touch so you don't wipe away your hard work.

If you would like to apply eye liner and mascara, feel free to do so now. There is no orderly fashion you need to follow with this step; apply as you normally would.