Essential Eye Makeup Guide: A Beginner's Handbook

There are a seemingly infinite number of different eye make up options to choose from. They come in every shape and color. With so many options to choose from, it can get a bit overwhelming. The easiest place to start is by understanding the basics of eye make up. Fundamentally, there are three types of eye make up everyone should know about. They are eye shadow, eyeliner, and mascara. Eye shadow is a popular cosmetic which is typically applied on the eyelids as well as under the eyebrows. By applying it in both places, it is easier for the eyes to stand out. Depending upon what look someone is going for; there are a variety of different application devices which can be used. The most common application devices are sponges, brushes, and even fingers. The key to successfully applying eye shadow is blending the different colors together in a natural, complementary way. Eyeliner is another popular eye make up which is ideal for creating distinct definition around the eyes. When applying it, it is important to focus on the contours of the eye. This includes along and above the edges of the eyelids. There are a variety of different types of textures to choose from. The most popular choices are liquid eyeliner, pattern-based high pencils, and wax-based eye pencils. Liquid eyeliner normally comes in a smaller bottle and can be applied with a felt applicator. The benefit of liquid eyeliner is that it can create a sharp, precision line. Pattern-based high pencils are generally limited to dark matte shades. Wax-based pencils on the other hand come in a variety of colors. They must often be applied with a brush applicator. The final type of popular eye make up is mascara. Mascara is used specifically to accentuate and define eyelashes. To accomplish this, it can darken, add color, second, and even links in the appearance of eyelashes. Most people use black mascara, although a variety of colors are available. Like eyeliner it comes in many forms. The most popular forms include liquid, cake, and cream. The key to putting together a great look is using eye make up which works well together. Much like painting a picture, all of the colors must blend together and complement each other well. The best part is all of these makeups are easy to put on as well as remove. This makes experimentation and finding out what looks best extremely simple. In many cases, the outfit someone is wearing will largely dictate what eye make as they choose.