The transformative power of makeup is truly magical. With a simple tool like eyeshadow, you can change the shape of your eyes, add a dramatic flair, or make your eye colour pop. Eyeshadow enhances your natural beauty while simultaneously allowing you to express your personal style and creativity.
Yet for beginners, mastering the art of eyeshadow application might seem overwhelming given the myriad of colours, brushes, and techniques involved. But, don’t worry! This guide is here to make your makeup journey easier and more enjoyable.
Aside from step-by-step instructions for easy application, this beginner’s guide also comes with a FREE eyeshadow chart, a handy tool that matches eyeshadow colours to various eye colours and shapes. With practice and the right knowledge, you’ll be creating stunning looks in no time.
Understanding Eye Shapes: A Crucial Step
Before you start applying eyeshadow, it’s important to identify your eye shape. Why? Because the shape of your eyes dictates how you should apply your eyeshadow to enhance and highlight your best features.
Common eye shapes include round, almond, hooded, monolid, and downturned. Round eyes are usually large and open, while almond eyes are oval with slightly pointed ends. Hooded eyes have a fold of skin that covers the crease, while monolid eyes don’t have a visible crease. Lastly, downturned eyes tilt downwards at the outer corners.
Once you’ve identified your eye shape, you can then choose the most flattering eyeshadow techniques and colours. Remember, the goal is not to change your eye shape, but to complement it.
Eyeshadow Types: Powders, Creams, & More
Eyeshadow comes in various forms, each offering different finishes and levels of pigmentation. The most common types include powder, cream, liquid, and stick eyeshadows.
Powder eyeshadows are beginner-friendly, easy to blend, and come in a wide range of colours and finishes. Cream eyeshadows offer intense pigmentation and can also act as a base for powder eyeshadow. Liquid eyeshadows are typically shimmery or metallic and have a high-impact finish, while stick eyeshadows are perfect for on-the-go application.
As a beginner, it’s good to start with powder eyeshadows as they are easier to control and blend. Once you get the hang of it, feel free to explore and experiment with other types of eyeshadows.
Eyeshadow Colours: Which Suits You Best?
The colour of your eyeshadow can dramatically impact your look. A rule of thumb is to choose colours that contrast with your eye colour to make them stand out. For instance, purples and reds make green eyes pop, while blues and grays complement brown eyes.
But, there are no hard and fast rules in makeup. You are free to experiment and use colours that suit your mood, outfit, or the occasion. The key is to blend well and balance your look.
The FREE eyeshadow chart included in this guide will help you choose the best eyeshadow colours for your eye colour and shape. It’s a foolproof way to pick flattering shades every time.
Essential Eyeshadow Brushes for Beginners
A good set of brushes is essential for applying and blending eyeshadow seamlessly. As a beginner, you’ll need three basic brushes: a flat brush, a crease brush, and a blending brush.
The flat brush is for packing on colour on the lid, the crease brush is for defining the crease, and the blending brush is for blending colours together and diffusing harsh lines.
Invest in good-quality brushes that feel soft and comfortable on your skin. Remember, makeup is as much about the tools as it is about the products.
Basic Eyeshadow Application Techniques
The easiest eyeshadow look for beginners is the classic three-colour technique, which involves using a light, medium, and dark shade. Use the light shade on the brow bone and inner corner of the eye, the medium shade on the lid, and the dark shade on the crease and outer corner.
First, apply a primer to ensure your eyeshadow lasts longer and looks vibrant. Then, using your brushes, apply each colour while making sure to blend each transition.
With practice, you’ll be able to master this basic technique and move on to more complex eyeshadow looks.
Creating Simple Looks: Step-by-Step Guide
Let’s create a simple, classic look using the three-colour technique.
- Prime your eyelids. This step ensures that your eyeshadow will stay in place and its colour will pop.
- Apply a medium shade on your lid using a flat brush. This will be your base colour.
- Apply a darker shade in your crease using a crease brush. This will add depth and dimension to your eyes.
- Apply the lightest shade on your brow bone and inner corners using a small brush. This will highlight and brighten your eyes.
- Blend, blend, blend! Using a blending brush, make sure all the colours bleed seamlessly into each other.
Remember, practice is key. The more you practice, the better you’ll get at creating beautiful eyeshadow looks.
The Ultimate Eyeshadow Chart: Your Free Gift!

To make your eyeshadow journey even more enjoyable, we’re giving you The Ultimate Eyeshadow Chart. This chart matches eyeshadow colours to various eye colours and shapes, making it easier for you to choose flattering shades.
For instance, if you have blue eyes, the chart will suggest using warm, earthy tones like browns and oranges. For those with brown eyes, cool tones like blues and purples are recommended.
Simply download the chart, keep it on your phone or print it out, and use it as a handy reference everytime you do your makeup. This FREE gift is our way of making your makeup journey easier, more fun, and more beautiful!