14 DAY TRIAL // Some of the most common mistakes in eye makeup application come from the fact that many of us aren't always aware of how to make the most of the shape of our eyes, how much emphasis to place where and using what colors in order to achieve a look that compliments our feature and eye conformation. As a result, we often end up emphasizing the things we'd much rather hide - such as deep set eyes or eyes that are set too close or too far apart - instead of highlighting the flattering parts.
So, before we begin talking about how to best apply makeup based on the shape of our eyes, have a look at the photo depicting the various parts of the eye in order to become familiar with the terminology, or simply to refresh your memory. It may sound simplistic, but you'd be surprised at how easy everything will become once you get well (re)acquainted with the various parts and their names. Then we can get to work.
1. Eyes that seem to droop down - also known as down turned or bedroom eyes. The best way to correct this look is to first apply concealer at a 45-degree angle at the outside edge of the eye. Apply eyeliner, but make sure you use a thin line in the inner edge, towards the nose, and a slightly thicker, smudged line at the outer edge, lifting it slightly for an upwards finish. Apply a darker shade of eyeshadow into the crease, and use mascara generously on the eyelashes.
2. Eyes set too far apart - think Claudia Schiffer for example. The point is to create the illusion that your eyes are closer together, and this can be achieved by applying eyeliner mainly close to the nose on the upper lid and in the tear duct area below the eye. Use the same principle when applying your eyeshadow, using first a neutral base shade all over your upper lid, then a lighter shade on top of it all the way up to your eyebrows, and blending in a darker shade in the inner corner of the eye.
3. Eyes set too close together (Lucy Liu for example) can be made to look further apart by using the exact opposite of the strategy described above. Use eyeliner on the upper lid but add emphasis and a thicker, smokier line at the outer edge of the eye to elongate it. Apply the lighter nuance of eyeshadow close to the nose and the darker shade at the outer edge. Also, when you tweeze your eyebrows, make them look further apart than they really are to open up some extra space on your brow.
