Eyes are an area where you can really have fun and be creative. Unlike the lips, which can be altered only slightly in shape (before they begin to look awkward), the eyes have no real, set limitations. Each shape you create, whether with shadows, pencils or liners, can take you into a completely different realm. From natural to smokey and subtle to high drama, the eye area is essential for an overall beautiful look. Creating this guide has been on my list for quite awhile, so I am excited to share it with you. It was a project I worked on for Motives Cosmetics and really happy how it turned out. I hope it helps, let me know what you think!!
Eye shadow primers are similar to face primer but made specifically for use near the eyes. An eye base helps even the color of the lid and upper-eye area, hide eyelid veins, reduce oiliness and mattify the eyelid. An eye base aids in the smooth application of eye shadow, prevents it from accumulating in eyelid creases and improves its longevity. Eye primer is applied to the eyelid and lower- eye area prior to the application of eye shadow. They intensify the color of the eye shadows and keep them from smearing
or creasing. The effect of an eye primer is not limited to eye shadows, as it also works for eye liners.
MY PICK: Motives Eye Prime
My pick for darker skin tones: It’s prime time babe. Priming the lid is an incredibly essential step in any good makeup routine but also one of the most overlooked. The eyelid skin can be thin and create more oil than other parts
of the face, so it’s a game changer when you add an eye primer
to the mix. The Motives® Eye Prime is an exceptional formula
that melts into skin, helping to smooth and prep the lid for eye makeup. The creamy formula comes in a universal nude shade that blends invisibly into skin, making it a great choice for all skin tones. This primer will help to make shadow more vibrant, help prevent creasing and caking, and will keep your eye looks fresh all day long.
• Visibly smooths the eyelid.
• Makes shadow more vibrant.
• Helps prevent creasing and caking.
• Makes your eye look last.
• Nude primer dries clear, making it great for all skin tones.
• Creamy formula is perfect for all eye shapes and skin types.
• Vegan, paraben-free and gluten-free.
MY PICK: LAWLESS Mini The Little One Talc-Free Eyeshadow Palette
What it is: A talc-free, travel-friendly, mini eyeshadow palette that achieves all of your favorite looks with eight classic shades.
- Features eight eyeshadows to create various looks, subtle or bold
- High color payoff and creamy texture applies smoothly
- Perfectly sized for on-the-go
- Eye shadows can be worn wet or dry
- Paraben free
Ingredient Callouts: Free of sulfates SLS and SLES, parabens, formaldehydes, formaldehyde-releasing agents, phthalates, mineral oil, retinyl palmitate, oxybenzone, coal tar, hydroquinone, triclosan, and triclocarban, and contains less than one percent of synthetic fragrances. This product is also cruelty-free.
PRO TIP: Visit my “Get The Look” tool ideas and pictorials.
EYELINER
Eyeliner is available in many different formulas.
MY PICK: Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Cream Eyeliner Stick
What it is: A waterproof cream eyeliner with up to 24 hours of wear that features a fine-tip design for effortless eyeliner looks, from sleekly defined to soft and smokey.
Benefits: Long-wearing, Waterproof, Transfer-resistant.
What Else You Need to Know: Bobbi Brown’s fan-favorite eyeshadow stick formula is now a liner. Creamy, blendable, pigment-rich shades level up every eyeliner look. The built-in sharpener keeps your look on point. The formula is waterproof and offers up to 24 hours of non-creasing, non-flaking, non-smudging, color-true wear that stays the day (and night).
MY PICK: Motives Precisely The Point Eye Line
Provides ultra-pigmented color that glides on like a dream and dries almost instantly to prevent unwanted smudges and smears.
• Contains a water-resistant, smudge-proof and long-lasting formula.
• Ultra-pigmented color that glides on smoothly and dries instantly.
• Has a superfine felt tip for ultimate control and precise application.
LASHES
Lash and Brow Growth Serum
To get those long, voluminous eyelashes and healthy-looking eyebrows that you envy, add a good lash and brow serum to your beauty arsenal. These makeup bag must-haves contain active ingredients such as vitamins, proteins, and natural extracts that nourish and condition your follicles for lusciously soft lashes. Targeting and working with your natural hair cycle, they can also work wonders for those sparse brows you feared would never grow back.
MY PICK: Motives Lash & Brow Serum
Achieve longer and fuller-looking lashes and brows with this advanced nightly hydrogel serum, formulated with the ultimate blend of nourishing, restorative and protective ingredients to create your healthiest-looking lashes and brows yet. In addition to containing baobab oil and hyaluronic acid, this innovative blend is infused with a special peptide to help hair look conditioned and strong. Apply nightly for best results.
• Helps lashes and brow hair appear longer.
• Helps lashes and brow hair appear thicker.
• Strengthens and fortifies lashes and brow hair.
• Conditions lashes and brow hair.
Curl Lashes
No matter how long your lashes are, they will look a lot longer if you curl them. Make sure to curl your lashes before your mascara. Never curl them after you apply your mascara as this can damage your lashes. Start at the base and squeeze gently as you move up.
MY PICK: TWEEZERMAN ProCurl Eyelash Curler
What it is: An award-winning lash curler with the ideal design for round-shaped eyes.
What Else You Need to Know: The 60-degree angle is designed for round-shaped eyes with a narrow top bar and wide opening designed to reach every last lash. The double-body design offers ultimate strength and control. This lash curler has a thick, rounded hypoallergenic silicone pad for hygiene. The ProCurl Lash Curler creates intense curl and won’t stick to or crease lashes.
• Lifts lashes and opens the eye.
• Precise engineering applies perfect amount of pressure on eyelashes.
• Creates the look of longer, more dramatic eyelashes.
• Easy to use and essential for a polished finish.
• Curved angle suits all eye shapes
MY PICK: DIOR Diorshow Maximizer 4D Lash Primer-Serum for Length, Volume, Curl & Definition
What it is: A lash primer-serum that boosts length, volume, curl, and definition for lashes that appear oversized and revitalized.
Formulation Type: Volumizing, Curling, Lengthening
What Else You Need to Know: Diorshow Maximizer 4D lash primer-serum improves mascara performance with a four-in-one formula that lengthens, volumizes, curls, and defines, for lashes that appear oversized, immediately and for up to 24 hours.
Clinical Results: In an instrumental test on 25 subjects:
– Lengthens, volumizes, curls, and defines for 24 hours
MASCARA
Mascara is a cosmetic commonly used to enhance the eyes. It may darken, thicken, lengthen and/or define the eyelashes.
MY PICK: Motives Fiber Lush Mascara
Get the look of false lashes without the work. Fiber Lush Mascara is formulated with fibers that adhere to your lashes, making them look longer, fuller and drop-dead luscious. This one-step formula has been perfectly paired with a brush designed for flawless application that resists smudging, clumping and flaking all day.
A rich, hypoallergenic, waterproof formula that volumizes your lashes. The waterproof formula extends its wear to last all day and night, while resisting smudging and flaking.
I also have put all of the above information in a printable guide. You can download your own copy of the “All Things Beauty” Eye Guide by filling out your information below and it will be emailed right to your inbox:
Want to learn everything about Brows? Check out our my Brow Guide.