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How To Do Eye Makeup For Beginners: Simple Makeup Guide

Jami Stansfield
January 11, 2024
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Are you ready to unleash the delightful power of your gorgeous eyes? Whether you are a beginner or a beauty enthusiast, just step into the world of eye makeup to enhance your eye game. Fear not! We have a simple guide on how to do eye makeup for beginners, covering all the makeup essentials you need. Starting this journey can be both exciting and terrifying for beginners simultaneously.

Eyes are the windows of the soul, and every beginner should be confident in expressing their unique beauty through eye makeup. Throughout this journey, we will share eye makeup tips, techniques, and tricks from experienced makeup artists to help you highlight your unique charm and showcase your creativity.

Essential Things to Know Before Starting Basic Eye Makeup

1. Understanding Different Eye Shapes

Understanding eye shape is fundamental to giving your eyes a stunning look. Everyone is gifted with different eye shapes, and different approaches and techniques are needed for a balanced result.

Different eye shape


For instance, knowing whether you have almond-shaped eyes, hooded eyes, round eyes, or downturned eyes helps you determine where to apply eyeshadow, eyeliner, and mascara to create the perfect illusion and highlight your unique eye structure.

2. Tools and Products Used in Eye Makeup

When it comes to having perfect and stunning eye makeup, it is important to understand how to apply it. Here, tools and makeup products for different eye shapes play a major role. Knowing what to use and how to use determines the outcome results. Tools like Eyeshadow brushes, Eyeliner brushes, Makeup sponge, Mascara wands, Eyelash curlers, and concealer brushes (and many others) prepare your eyes for a dashing eye makeup look.

Tools and product used in eye makeup

Different makeup products for eyes are selected according to their eye shape and eye color to create a perfect illusion. They include Eyeshadow palettes, Eyeliner, Mascara, Eyebrow pencils, and Primers. Good knowledge about makeup products and tools boosts confidence, enhances eye makeup application, and gives professional-looking results.

How to Identify Your Eye Shape?

Identifying different eye shapes can be helpful for various purposes, such as choosing the right makeup techniques or selection of eyewear. It is very important to note that everyone's eyes are unique in nature, shape, and size. Here are some quick guidelines to help you identify different eye shapes.

  1. Almond-shaped eyes: A familiar eye shape in which the outer corners of the eyes are generally higher than the inner corners.
  2. Hooded eyes: Hooded eyes are circular with a visible curve on the upper and lower eyelids. The distance between the upper and lower lids is usually similar.
  3. Round eyes: Round eyes are circular with visible curves on the upper and lower eyelids.
  4. Downturned eyes: Downturned eyes have a slight downward tilt at the outer corners, giving a subtle drooping effect.
  5. Upturned eyes: Upturned eyes have a slightly upward tilt at the outer corners, giving a lifted and cat-like appearance. The upper eyelid is more visible and may appear longer than the lower lid.
  6. Monolid eyes: Monolid eyes typically have a flat or less defined crease, resulting in a smooth and unbroken eyelid. There is no distinct crease or visible fold.

How Do I Choose My Eye Makeup Color?

Choosing the right eye makeup color for beginners can be tricky but a powerful way to enhance your overall appearance. Choosing a suitable color can enhance your eye shape and complement your skin tone. Picking the right color depends upon various aspects. The color of your eyes and skin tones can be taken as the factor for choosing the correct color for eye makeup.

Color used in eye makeup

The color of the eye makeup can also be influenced by the outfit you are wearing and the occasion. Ultimately, choosing eye makeup color is a personal preference, and it is essential to experiment and have fun with different shades.

How to Do Eye Makeup for Beginners: 8 Steps for a Flawless Look 

After understanding the perfect tools and beauty products used in eye makeup, you are one step closer to unleashing the magic and conquering the world with your eyes. Here are some steps for easy and simple eye makeup tips for beginners to achieve flawless eye looks.

Step 1: Prepare Your Eyes

Preparing your eyes is the first important step in achieving flawless eye makeup. Always make sure that your eyelids are clean and moisturized. Gently clean the eye surface, sometimes, common issues like excess oil, dirt, and dryness can create a bit challenge doing eye makeup.

A clean surface reduces the risk of eye infections or irritations resulting from bacteria or contaminants on the skin and allows other makeup applications to last longer. Clean eyes refer to healthy behavior and prevent breakouts while applying eye makeup.

Step 2: Apply Primer

Applying primers in eye makeup acts as a base for your eye shadow. It provides a smooth surface and enhances the overall performance of eye makeup. Here is a quick guide for beginners to know the steps to apply primers:

  • Start with clean and moisturized eyelids: It helps to hydrate the skin.
  • Choose suitable eye primers: Look for a primer formulated to fight against fading, creasing, and oiliness.
  • Apply a small amount of primer: Gently dab the primer onto your eyelids and blend it evenly. Use a brush for a perfect finish.
  • Spread primer evenly: Make sure to cover the entire eye area where you plan to apply eyeshadow.
  • Allow the primer to dry: This ensures a smooth and even base for your eyeshadow application.
  • Proceed with your eye shadow: Once the primer has dried, you can go for eyeshadow.

Makeup artists often recommend Eye primers to enhance eyeshadow performance, increase longevity, and even prevent eyeshadow from fallout, creasing, and fading. Choose an eye primer that contains ingredients like glycerin and silica, which help to keep eyes hydrated, and moisturized, and absorb excess oil from the eyelids. Primers provide a smooth canvas and help in concealing dark circles to maximize the performance of other eye products.

Beginners may need help blending eyeshadow effortlessly on the top of primers, making a smooth transition between colors challenging. If you experience this, try using a softer and more blending eyeshadow shade over formula, or lightly dust eyeshadow shade over the primer.

Step 3. Apply Eye Shadow

Applying eyeshadow is a crucial step in eye makeup as it helps add depth and dimension and gives you flawless eye makeup. The beginner needs to know that eye shadow enhances eye shapes and allows you to introduce different colors and tones to your eye makeup look. It helps to create the illusion of different eye shapes. For added depth, apply a dark shadow in the eye crease, using a specific brush to ensure the color remains visible even when the eyes are open. Consider using eye shadow containing ingredients like talc, iron oxides, and titanium dioxide, they help to absorb the excess oil and provide a shining bright color to eye shadow.

Applying eye makeup complements other eye makeup products like eyeliner and mascara to result in stunning eye looks. To apply eyeshadow:

  • Gather your supplies (Eyeshadow palette, primer, Brushes, and wipes)
  • Prepare your eyelids and choose your desired color tone.
  • Blend perfectly to avoid thick layers and to achieve a smooth transition between shades.

Eye shadow is an art to give justice to your beautiful eyes. But, sometimes, common problems like patchy application, creasing, fading, and fallout may arise. To tackle those issues, use a high-quality brush to work and apply eye shadow primer to create a smooth, oil-free surface. Blend perfectly to avoid fallout due to thick layering.

Step 4. Define with Eyeliner

The eyeliner is a key element in eye makeup, defining the beauty of the eyes. Typically applied after eyeshadow, the eyeliner application can vary based on personal preference and desired looks.

Using a pencil, gel, or liquid liner, draw a line along the lash line, getting as close to the roots as possible. You can choose a thin, subtle line for a natural makeup look or create a thicker, more dramatic line for added intensity.

Eyeliner plays a crucial role in eye makeup as it enhances the eye shape and adds intensity and drama to the overall makeup look. If you are a beginner choose eyeliner formulated with carnauba wax, it increases the ability to glide on the skin. However, minor issues like uneven lines and transferring eyeliners may arise while applying eyeliner. To avoid them, use short and controlled strokes and try to draw a continuous line in one go. Proper blending is a must before applying. For additional guidance, check out makeup tutorials, which can offer tips and techniques for mastering eyeliner application.

[Recommended to Read: Different Eyeliner Looks To Elevate Every Eye!]

Step 5: Curl Lashes

Curling your lashes is a simple yet effective step in eye makeup that opens up your eyes, making them appear larger and more defined. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to curl your lashes:

  • Gather tools (Eye curler, lashes comb)
  • Gently clean and dry lashes
  • Warm up the curler for extra hold
  • Position the eyelash curler
  • Curl the lashes- hold for 5-10 seconds for better results

Be careful while curling the lashes; sometimes, you can pinch the eyelid quickly.
Curling eyelashes helps in many ways with eye makeup. It lifts them from the eyes and creates the illusion of more enormous, open eyes. Curl lashes enhance the eye shape and increase the lash visibility. It also prevents lashes from blocking the vision.

Sometimes, lashes may lose curl throughout the day, so using waterproof mascara and primer is better to maintain the curl for extra hold. Start at the base and work towards the tip to prevent uneven curl. This ensures all parts of your lashes receive an even curl.

Step 6: Apply Mascara

Applying Mascara helps to enhance the length and volume of your eyelashes. To achieve a perfect mascara:

  • Start with clean and curl eyelashes.
  • Hold the mascara horizontally and jiggle it from the base to the tips of your lashes to ensure even exposure to those eyelashes.
  • A second coat can be added to give more volume once the first coat dries well.

Adding mascara to your eye makeup gives you an energetic eye look. Carnauba wax and fil-forming agents like Acrylates copolymer are the important ingredients found in mascara which helps to provide volume to the lashes and form a film that provides length and definition. Clumping and difficulty reaching tiny lashes can be minor problems when applying mascara. To avoid such problems, use a clean mascara pointer to comb through lashes, especially if clumps appear.

Step 7: Define Eyebrows Perfectly

Defining eyebrows is essential in eye makeup as it frames the eyes, enhances facial features, and completes the overall look. Here's a guide on how to define eyebrows for beginners:

  • Always start with a clean surface free from oil, sweat, or dirt.
  • Choose the right Brow products that suit your preference and the look you want to achieve.
  • Determine your Brow shape and identify your face shape.
  • Outline the Brows you want to create or define the shape.
  • Fill in the outlined area with your desired brow products. Brow powder, gel, or pencil can give the best results.

There is a saying, "A face without well-groomed eyebrows is like a painting without a frame – incomplete." Saying that eyebrows significantly impact the overall appearance of eye makeup. It also helps to enhance facial expression, balance facial features, and highlight eye makeup. Overall, it completes the look resulting in stunning eyes.

Beginners may need help with common issues like uneven shape, overplucking, and wrong Brow color and shapes. However, always remember that everyone's eyebrows are unique, and it may take some trial and error to find the best routine and products for your specific needs. Additionally, if you are a beginner, feel free to seek professional help or tutorials for more guidance on achieving your desired eyebrow look.

Step 8: Highlight the Brow Bone

The brow bone is the area just below the eyebrow, and applying a light eyeshadow or a highlighter to this area enhances the natural arch of the eyebrows. Highlighting the brow bone is crucial in eye makeup as it adds dimension to the eyes, creates a lifted appearance, and contributes to a polished look. To highlight the brow bone:

  • Prepare your Eyelids: Start with clean eyelids and ensure that you have applied your eyeshadow base or primer for a smooth canvas.
  • Choose the Right Highlight Shade: The shade should be slightly lighter than your natural skin color, which helps complement your skin tone.
  • Pick Up the Highlighter: Pick up a small amount of the highlighter using a small eyeshadow brush or a precise highlighting brush. Tap off any excess to avoid fallout.
  • Locate the Brow Bone: Identify the brow bone by feeling the bone just below your eyebrow. This is the area where you'll apply the highlight.
  • Apply the Highlight: Apply the highlighter directly under the highest point of your eyebrow arch with a gentle hand. Start at the outer edge and move inwards. You can also apply a small amount to the inner corner of your eye for an extra brightening effect.
  • Blend: Blend the highlighter gently using a clean blending brush or your fingertip. This ensures a seamless transition between the highlight and the eyeshadow on your eyelid.

When applying highlighter to your eyebrows as part of your eye makeup routine, addressing possible challenges for a perfect finish is essential. Begin by ensuring your eyebrows are well-groomed and free of extra oils, providing smooth work to get the desired results. Go for a highlighter shade that matches your skin tone and eyebrow color, steering clear of overly shimmery tones for a more natural look.

Congratulations, you've successfully completed the essential steps for the eye makeup guide as a beginner! Always remember that practice makes perfect, and as you become more comfortable with these fundamental steps, you can explore and experiment with different colors, techniques, and styles.

How to Do Smokey Eye Makeup: Tips for Beginners

Smokey eye makeup look

To achieve a smokey eye makeup look:

  1. Start by applying an eyeshadow primer to create a smooth base.
  2. Choose a dark shadow for your eyes, such as black, dark brown, or charcoal gray, and apply it to your eyelid, focusing on the outer corner and crease.
  3. Blend the color upwards and outwards using a fluffy eyeshadow brush. 
  4. Apply a slightly lighter shade to the center of your eyelid, blending it into the darker shade. 
  5. Use a clean blending brush to soften any harsh lines. 
  6. Apply a highlighter shade to your brow bone and the inner corner of the eyes to add brightness. 
  7. Finish with eyeliner and mascara for added definition. Apply a dark eyeshadow along the lower lash line for a more dramatic effect and blend well.

Why Does Eye Makeup Matter?

Eye makeup plays a major role in the world of beauty and self-care. It helps to boost facial features and express individual style. Eye makeup often follows and contributes to fashion trends. Well-applied makeup can minimize the appearance of wrinkles, dark circles, tiredness, and brighten the overall look of the face.
Eye makeup, such as eyeshadow, eyeliner, and mascara, can improve the natural beauty of the eyes. It can make them appear more defined, and brighter. It provides an opportunity to experiment with different colors, textures, and techniques, allowing individuals to create unique looks that reflect their personality and preferences.

[Recommended to Read: Prom Makeup Looks]

Final Thoughts on Eye Makeup For Beginners 

Figuring out how to apply eye makeup in your makeup routine allows you to enhance and define your eyes, creating a focal point for your overall look. Mastering the art of eye makeup as a beginner is an exciting journey of self-discovery and creative expression.

By following the foundational steps, of understanding tools and products to apply eye makeup perfectly, you are closer to the world of beautiful eye makeup. If you want to learn how to do eye makeup as a beginners, remember to Prepare your eyes- keeping them neat and clean, Applying eye shadow, Defining eyes with eyeliners, Curling eyelashes, Applying Mascara, Defining eyebrows, and highlighting brow bone are important steps we discussed earlier for doing eye makeup. As beginners, we must remember that lots of practice and experiments with different shades and colors make us perfect to match our skin tone.

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FAQs on How to Apply Eye Makeup

How can I make my eyes appear larger with makeup?

MaUse light eyeshadow shades on the inner corners, apply eyeliner on the upper lash line, and add a coat of mascara to lift and open up the eyes.

What are some tips for applying false eyelashes?

Trim the lashes to fit your eye shape, apply a thin layer of lash adhesive, let it dry for a few seconds, and carefully place the lashes as close to the natural lash line as possible.

How do I remove eye makeup without causing irritation?

Use a gentle eye makeup remover or micellar water, soak a cotton pad, and press it onto the closed eye for a few seconds before gently wiping away the makeup.

How can I prevent eyeshadow fallout?

Tap off excess product from the brush before applying, use an eyeshadow primer, and do your eye makeup before applying foundation to easily clean up any fallout.

How do I apply eyeliner for a natural look?

Apply a thin line of eyeliner close to the lash line, starting from the inner corner and gradually thickening it towards the outer corner.

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