It can be tough to get your makeup to look exactly the way you want it, but with lots of practice – you can typically get there. Once you get a routine down and you go through lots of trial and error with colors, brands and certain products – you rarely veer off that path. Because you have something that works. But every once-in-a-while, something doesn’t look quite right. You don’t feel your absolute best or some aspect of your makeup seems dull – and it often happens with eyes. So what do you do (and how do you handle) when your eyeshadow isn’t popping? First of all – you aren’t alone! And, secondly – let’s take a look at what might be causing the problem.
3 Reasons Your Eyeshadow Isn’t Popping
#1. You’re not hydrated. I know, I know…you hear about it all the time: drink water, drink water, drink more water. Here’s the thing: if you want to look and feel your best, drink water – and lots of it. Water is not only amazing for keeping everything on the inside flushed out and operating at peak performance, it’s what gives your skin life. That shiny, happy, glow-y look….it’s most prominent when your skin is looking great. And, skin is looking great when it’s hydrated. When it’s not hydrated skin starts to look dull, your makeup gets swallowed up – and there’s nothing that can provide a quick fix. So, if you feel like your eyeshadow just isn’t popping, get on the water drinking train, stat – and keep it going, year round.
#2. You’re forgetting to use an eye base. OK – so there’s primer and there’s base. Primer is typically neutral in color and pretty lightweight. It’s meant to create a canvas that sits on top of the skin for applying makeup – it makes it last all day because it protects the eyeshadow from the natural oils of your skin. Also helps make it last all day. An eyeshadow base, on the other hand, is typically thicker and isn’t quite as neutral in color as primer. Its sole purpose – to strengthen the color of the eyeshadow by giving it something to stick to. So – start with eye primer, follow with base and then apply your eye shadow – more steps, but well worth it.
#3. You’re not using the right brushes for the job. Here’s what you need:
All-over shadow brush. This is a good one for spreading and smoothing eyeshadow across your whole lid. It will help deliver that intense level of color you’re after.
Blending brush. This is for those days when you’re going for a softer, more natural look. Just move this soft brush in circular motions across the crease of your lid and everything will blend just right.
Smudger brush. This is for when you want the ultimate smokey and sexy eye by softening a dark eyeliner and giving it that sultry look. You can also use this small brush along your brown bone and in the inner and outer corners of the eye.
Angled eye brush. This is what you need for applying gel eyeliners or even using strong pigmented powder eye shadows to line the lids.
For a detailed review of what each makeup brush does, read this post: “What’s That For? A Simple Guide to Makeup Brushes.”
So…what do you think? Are you guilty of any of these three things? Can you make a change to step up your eye shadow game?
