Confused By Your Eyeshadow Palette? These 5 Foolproof Tricks Can Help (2024)

Applying eyeshadow may seem simple, but mastering the art of eye makeup can be a challenge. From choosing the right shades for your eye color and skin tone to deciding which brushes to keep on hand, there's a bit more nitty gritty to get into.

With so many options available, it's easy to get overwhelmed and not know where to start. That's why we've created a comprehensive five-step guide to help you navigate the world of eyeliners, mascaras and shadows. Whether you're a beginner or a makeup pro, our guide will show you how to create stunning eye looks that will make your eyes pop. Let's dive in:

1. Start with great makeup brushes.

There’s a reason famous artists don’t finger paint: it’s much harder to create a masterpiece without the proper tools. The same holds true for makeup application. Invest in a few good cosmetic brushes for even, precise and hygienic makeup application. Luckily, you can get great ones without dropping an entire paycheck.

Our pros at the Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab found that synthetic brushes are almost always preferable to their natural-fiber counterparts, and they are more affordable, easier to clean and allergy-friendly. (Psst: All of the top performers in our lab tests were synthetic, and the pros couldn’t differentiate them from pricier natural picks).

2. Apply a base eyeshadow to the lid.

Using your eyeshadow brush, grab your favorite eyeshadow palette and sweep your favorite base shade on your eyelid. Depending on the look you’re going for, you can bring this base color all the way up to your brow bone in preparation for a more dramatic smoky eye, or you can stop at the crease of your eye for a basic, everyday look.

In the latter case, here’s a foolproof trick: place the color into the crease of your eye when your eyes are open, and work down toward the lash line. That way, you’ll never overshoot your crease or end up with messy lines.

3. Concentrate darker shadow in the eye crease.

Dark colors attract light, so placing a darker tone of shadow in the crease of the eye makes your eyes pop by adding depth and dimension in the exact right spot.

To get the look, dip a domed brush like e.l.f. Blending Brush into a dark shadow and sweep it right along the eye socket, following the shape of your eye between your brow bone and eyelid. A deep brown like Urban Decay Eyeshadow in Thunderbird is a universally flattering choice, no matter your eye color.

If you have hooded eyes, your upper lid covers most of your mobile lid when your eyes are open. That means you will have to play with different, higher placements for crease shadow because if you simply apply it along the eye socket, the color will disappear when you open your eyes. Instead, start with your eyes open and use your brush to mark where you want that dark color to start in order to be visible. Then, close your eyes and blend across, smoothing out any hard lines and focusing pigment on the outermost corner of the eye in a "V" shape.

4. Rim your lash lines in a super-dark color.

Eyeliner that's applied correctly can make your lashes look thicker. If you're not a huge fan of eyeliner, you can get a similarly impactful look (that’s easier to wash off!) with a super-dark eyeshadow. Use a flat, short-bristled brush to press the dark color along the edges of your upper eyelid where your eyelashes begin, and along the lower lash line. If you like to wear liner on your waterline (the inner-most rim of the eye), the bristles might irritate your eye so you can trace this line with one of our favorite waterproof eyeliners.

5. Highlight with a pretty shimmery shadow.

Make your brows pop and add lift by adding a shimmery pale eyeshadow or pencil directly under the brow. Add the same pearly light color to the inner corner of the eye to brighten things up, too. Finish with a few coats of our favorite mascara, and you're good to go.

Still feeling stuck? We love how YouTuber Haley Wight breaks it all down.