There are so many different eye shadow pallets and so many shades in those pallets, so it can be hard to figure out which ones are good quality and right for you. Below you can go through the different classifications you should consider when trying to choose an eye shadow. When you have finished reading this article, you will be that much closer to having a beautiful eye shadow that is perfect for you!
When looking to buy eye shadow, there are a few main things you should consider. One, what form of eye shadow you are looking for. Are you looking for a liquid, cream, or powdered eye shadow? Second, what texture you are looking for. Matte? Shimmer? Sparkle? And finally, what tone or color looks good for your skin tone? A cool tone, a warm tone, or somewhere in the middle? If you do not already know the answers to all of these questions, continue reading to figure it out.
The Form of Eye Shadow
Choosing what form of eye shadow you want depends on two things: one, your skin type. Certain forms will apply better on some skin types than others. Second, what look are you going for? Because each type of eye shadow applies differently, they all look different. Are you looking for a more silky look? How about velvety? Or maybe just a light airy look? A different form of eye shadow does all three of those.
Liquid Eye Shadow
Liquid eye shadow is highly pigmented and silky smooth and can come as a matte eye shadow or a shimmery eye shadow. Typically, this form of eye shadow feels like a tinted moisturizer. If you are looking for a shadow that will last all day and night, a liquid eye shadow is the way to go. It is the most loyal eye shadow out there and won’t flake off, leaving eye shadow behind in places you would rather it not be.
As far as the best skin types for liquid eye shadow, if you have drier to normal skin, this is the way to go. If your skin creates more moisture or is greasier, the liquid shadow will not hold as well and creases easily. If you have greasier skin and still want to get the look from a liquid shadow, try getting waterproof as this will help it stick to your face better and not move around.
Here are a few tips for using a liquid eye shadow. One, use a synthetic brush. The bristles made of man-made materials are typically more likely to stick together, which allows for a more precise application of and does not absorb all the product. Two, the bigger the brush, the lighter the look. This means if you are going for a lighter look, choose a large fluffy brush, but if you want a bold, saturated look, choose a compact brush. Finally, make sure you let one layer of the shadow dry before applying another to avoid smearing. Don’t worry; you can still blend when it is dry.
Cream Eye Shadow
Cream eye shadow is whipped, velvety, and very versatile as you can build it up from a sheer or natural look to a bold or glam look. It works best for people with two main things. One, if you have dry or sensitive skin, a cream shadow can smooth and cover the irritation. Two, if you have wrinkles around your eyes, a cream eye shadow won’t skink into them. This will not only avoid draw attention to any fine lines but sometimes cover them up completely.
Cream eye shadow is another form that will stick to your lids for as long as you need it. This makes it perfect if you have a busy or hectic day ahead of you and will not have any time to reapply makeup throughout the day. You can even wear it straight into the night if need be.
Cream eye shadow is generally a very dense shadow, so it is best to apply it with your finger (your ring finger.) This warms the shadow, making it easier to apply and blend. If you do not want to use your finger, you can try a concealer brush instead. Because of how dense it is, most regular eye shadow brushes will not work. Finally, you can use a cream shadow as a primer. Cover your lid with a neutral or natural shade and use it as a base for powder shadows.
Powdered Eye Shadow
Powdered eye shadow is one of the most used and most known types of eye shadows. People love it because it is easy to apply, easy to blend, and comes in a wide array of colors and textures. The downfall of powdered eye shadow is how long they last. Typically, you only get a few hours before your eye shadow looks faded and has begun to flake off. However, if you apply a cream eye shadow first, it can last significantly longer.
Powdered eye shadow is best for people with normal to oily skin types without fine lines or wrinkles. The powder can increase the dryness of the skin and sink into wrinkles, highlighting them for the world.
As far as applying, you can use many brushes to get many different effects, and it is great for experimentation. Have fun with it as it is easy to blend and change as you go, and if you hate it at the end, it is easy to wipe off and start over. That is the magical aspect of powder!
The Texture of Eye Shadow
The texture of your eye shadow is not really what it feels like (that is the form), but rather the look of it. Does it look flat or metallic or glittery? What texture of eye shadow you want is dependent on what look you want to go for. Consider how you are going to use your shadows before deciding with texture to buy.
Matte
Matte shadows are perfect for natural looks and defining features as they are plain (not sparkly) colors that are usually highly pigmented. These are most people’s go-to shadows for a natural day look or as the base for a more bold look. Even if people are going to add shimmer and sparkle to their look, they typically use a matte shadow to start. You probably want at least a few different matte shadows in your collection.
Shimmer
Shimmer shadows have some shine to them but are not straight sparkle. They typically have a more metallic sheen rather than a glitter one. They can be the perfect finishing touch to a soft day look or strongly layered to make a bold eye. Along with your matte shadows, you probably want a few shimmer shadows because it adds that wow factor that can be hard to get with just matte.
Sparkle
This shadow texture can be a lot of fun, but not necessarily necessary for your day to day use unless you like bold, shining eyes all day, every day. This is a step up from shimmer and generally appears more like actual glitter than the metallic sheen of shimmer. In small amounts, this can be used to complete a day look, but more commonly, sparkle shadows are used for bolder night looks. If you are looking to add some fun to your life, buy a few sparkle shadows, but they are usually not necessary to have.
The Color of Eye Shadow
There are so many colors of eye shadows out there that it can be overwhelming to decide. Figuring out which tones work for you can limit your choices and make it less overwhelming. The most crucial factor in select eye shadow tones is your skin tone. Do you need more cool tones, more warm tones, or something in between?
Cool Tones
Cool tones are eye shadow colors with a blue undertone. If you have a cool skin tone, you want a cool eye shadow tone. Keep in mind warm colors like red can come in cooler tones, so you do not have to feel limited in selection. Often cool tones are jewel shades, so blues and grays and even magenta can be the most flattering for you.
Warm Tones
A warm tone eye shadow is one that has a more yellow undertone. If you have a warmer skin tone, you want to choose a warm, illuminating color. You will probably find that bronze and gold shades, especially those with a shimmery texture, will look most flattering and eye-catching on you.
Middle Tones
Middle tones are your neutral colors. Many browns fit into this category and can be a great blending shade or base shade for people of all skin tones. Middle tones are typically the safest choice, but may not pop as a warm or cool tone could.
Some Other Considerations
In the end, what eye shadows you want to wear comes down to personal preference. What do you like? What makes you feel confident and happy? And what makeup do you need/want to wear? Though it is important to consider complexion and all the other factors we talked about, in the end, choose what makes you feel confident and beautiful in your skin!
