Spring 2009 Makeup Trend: Bright Eyeshadow
Bright eyeshadow is a great way to add a touch of fun color to your makeup routine this Spring. Depending on your outfit and how daring you are with your makeup, this look can be subtle or bold.
How to Wear Bright Eyeshadow
When you wear bright eyeshadow, it can be easy to overdo the look. To avoid looking like a Vegas showgirl, abide by the following tips.
Choose Matte Shadows: Shadows with shimmer are fun and can be pulled off if used sparingly, but they’ll generally look a bit overdone. A good rule of thumb when wearing bright shadows is to choose matte options. You can always go back and add a bit of shimmer with a highlighting powder or a shimmery nude shadow.
Stay Neutral: If you’re wearing bright colors on your eyes, keep the rest of your makeup neutral. A rose or peach blush, mascara and lipgloss are all you need. Follow my tips for ‘barely there makeup’ to achieve this look.
Downplay Your Lips: Draw attention to your eyes by keeping your lips subdued. Wear nude tinted lipgloss or line your lips with a nude pencil and top with a clear gloss. Lip stain can also be used as long as it’s the same shade as your lips.
Apply Mascara. Repeat.: Regardless of which look you choose, apply heavy coats of mascara. If you’re going for the subtle look, mascara will help frame your eyes and draw attention to your shadow. If you’re going for the bold look, you’ll need the heavy mascara to balance the look.
How to Apply Bright Eyeshadow for a Subtle Look
If you’re going for a soft, subtle look like the one to the left or the one above, follow these steps.
1. Start with a great foundation
Follow the steps for ‘barely there makeup’, but focus a bit more on the eyes. Use an eyeshadow primer like Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion.
2. Apply shadow
Using an eyeshadow brush, apply a soft layer of shadow over the lid. Depending on the look you’re going for, either go all the way to the browline (like the blue shadow picture) or stop at the crease (like the purple shadow picture). If you stop at the crease, add some dimension to the look by applying a nude shadow between the crease and the browline and blending with your finger.
3. Don’t forget the lash line
Using an eyeliner brush, apply the same color darker and heavier along the top and bottom lash lines. Smudge the bottom lash line with your finger or a thicker brush.
4. Apply mascara
Apply a liberal amount of mascara to your lashes. Repeat. Repeat. Repeat.
How to Apply Bright Eyeshadow for a Bold Look
Bold looks take a bit more work and makeup expertise. These images are from the Temperley and Gucci Spring 2009 Runway Shows.
1. Prime your lids
Using a primer like the Urban Decay option I listed above, prime your eyes. Your shadow will apply easier and will appear brighter than without.
2. Line your eyes
Using a black liquid liner, line your top and bottom lashes, taking the corners out and slightly up.
3. Apply shadow like the Temperley example
For the Temperley example, the base color is used on the inner lid. Apply the shadow along the entire lid to the crease and then up to the brow line from mid lid to the inside corners of the eye.
Using another color, complete the look by shading from the outside corner of the eye in along the browline. Also apply this color as a highlight at the inside corners of the eye and smudge it a bit under the eye.
4. Apply shadow like the Gucci example
For this example, the base color is the lid color. Apply this shadow along the lid and just over the crease from inside corner to outside corner. Smudge the color a bit along the lower lash line. Apply another color along the browline.
5. Apply mascara
Heavily apply mascara. Again and again.
Best Bright Eyeshadows
I love this palette and definitely want to purchase it before they’re sold out. Bobbi says she created this palette for the woman who wants add a splash of fun to her Spring look. She has also said that each of these colors is intended to be worn by itself. So, I’m guessing she was envisioning the subtle look more than the bold when she created this palette. That being said, there are definitely some fun options for the bold look here as well.
This line of Shiseido shadows features many different bright shadows to choose from. This blue is a limited edition color inspired by the Proenza Schoeler Fall 2008 runway show.
All of MAC’s shadows are great and there are many bright colors to choose from. I particularly like this collection because it has a few to offer for a very reasonable price.
Drugstore Option
Most of the shadows you’ll find at the drugstore contain large quantities of talc, making the colors less bright and the shadows fade much quicker. Using a primer first will help a bit.
This Cover Girl palette is offers a few bright colors to try. Choosing a drugstore option first is a good way to test out which colors look best on you. There are also Cover Girl palettes that feature variations on the same color (i.e. a purple palette, a blue palette, etc.).
Your Thoughts?
What do you think of my tips? Which type of bright shadow look will you be wearing this Spring?
(Images from Smashbox, Style.com and Marie Claire)
Related Posts
 |
Sexy Amber Valletta Photo Shoot: Amber Valletta in Bottega Veneta
Model and actress Amber Valletta struck a pose for Elle Magazine for their Fashion Spotlight feature. See the full photo set here.
|
 |
Best and Worst Dressed at the 2009 MTV Europe Music Awards
MTV awards shows are always a mixed bag - no one knows quite how to dress for one of the most casual companies on television.
|
 |
50 Best Dressed Celebrities of 2009
Behold, Zimbio's 50 Best Dressed stars of the year: those who stayed hip without embarrassing their families.
|
