How to Use Eyeshadow Brushes

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Eyeshadow can be a versatile addition to your makeup routine. It can be either soft and subtle, or loud and dramatic. Understanding how to use different makeup brushes to apply and blend eyeshadow will help you create exactly the right kind of look for any occasion. Follow a few simple steps to create a basic eyeshadow look. Once you have the basic look down, you can create more elaborate looks using different kinds of eyeshadow brushes.

Method 1
Method 1 of 2:

Choosing the Right Makeup Brush

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    Start with a fluffy brush that is relatively wide–enough to cover your eyelid with makeup, but not so big that you can't be precise with the makeup. Use it for broad coverage, such as a base color or a single-toned look. [1]
    • This is the most basic eyeshadow brush. If you only have one eyeshadow brush, make it this one.
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    This brush is similar to a medium eyeshadow brush, but will be a little smaller and slightly angled or tapered. [2] Angled bristles make it easier to get makeup into the crease between your eye and your eyebrow. [3]
    • Choose a smaller brush for more precision. Choose a larger brush for more sweeping coverage. [4]
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    Blending brushes have longer bristles that are shaped to work with the pigment already on your skin, rather than putting more pigment on your skin. Using a blending brush is optional, and will give your makeup a soft-focused look. [5]
    • There are also flat blending brushes. These are a little bit smaller, and make it easier to blend a targeted area. [6]
    • You can also look for contoured blending brushes, which look like a blending brush with a tapered tip. These are also useful for precision blending. [7]
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    A short, flat blending brush is best for targeted smudging in one specific area. These are different from longer blending brushes, which are used all over the eye. [8]
    • Smudging brushes are especially useful for smoky eye looks.
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    A precision pencil brush will be the smallest brush in your kit. You can use it with liquid or cream eyeliner, or even highly pigmented eyeshadow, to line your eyes. [9]
    • Alternatively, you can use an angled eyeliner brush. This will be a small, angled brush with tightly-packed bristles. The shape of an angled brush is ideal for a winged eyeliner look. [10]
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Method 2
Method 2 of 2:

Using Eyeshadow Brushes in the Right Order

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Use Eyeshadow Brushes
    Put some eyeshadow on your brush, then tap the handle of the brush against a hard surface to shake off any excess makeup. If you are using more than one color in your overall look, start with a lighter color for this step. [11]
    • For a more dramatic look, you can continue the color all the way to your brow bone, choose a more dramatic color, or choose a shadow with some sparkle.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Use Eyeshadow Brushes
    Look for a natural indentation between your top eyelid and your eyebrow. Some people have a deep, dramatic crease while some have a more subtle dip. Use a dark shade to add depth to your natural crease. If you already have a deep crease, try placing this darker color above the crease so that it won't disappear when you open your eyes. Follow the shape of your eye for the most flattering line. [12]
    • Some like to apply the darker shade in a V shape, starting at about the halfway point under your eyebrow in the crease, to the outer corner of your eye, and then following the lash line. Try both techniques to see which you like better.
    • For a cohesive look, chose a color in the same family as your base shade. For example, if you used light pink eyeshadow on your whole eyelid, use a darker magenta in your crease.
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Use Eyeshadow Brushes
    Sweep a blending brush over your entire lid and crease to blend the two colors together. [13] Some makeup artists spend up to 5 minutes blending eyeshadow to completely remove any lines between the two colors, but stop whenever you are satisfied with the look. [14]
    • Try to avoid getting dark colors on the innermost part of your eyelid, closest to your nose. This can make your eyes look smaller and more closed off.
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Use Eyeshadow Brushes
    Use a pencil brush and a dark eyeshadow to create an effect similar to eyeliner. Apply makeup to the brush and press the color into the edge of your upper eyelid, as close to your eyelashes as you can get. [15]
    • You can also use this technique to line your eyes with fun, bright colors. It might take a few layers to build up enough color, but the effect can be striking.
  5. Watermark wikiHow to Use Eyeshadow Brushes
    Blend your eyeliner up onto your eyelid. Use the smudging brush to blend the eyeliner into a grey eyeshadow.
    • Smudging brushes blend colors seamlessly together, and their small size make it easy to be precise with your blending. Try using a smudging brush to blend bright colors together for a dramatic look.
  6. Watermark wikiHow to Use Eyeshadow Brushes
    Use your medium eyeshadow brush to sweep a light, shimmery color directly underneath your eyebrows. This will open up your look by highlighting the place where light naturally hits your brow bone. You can also use a pencil brush to add this light shade to the inner corner of your eye, as well. [16]
    • You can blend again after this step.
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Expert Q&A

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  • Question
    How can I hide my under-eye circles?
    Christin Birckhead
    Makeup Artist
    Christin Birckhead is a Makeup Artist and the Founder of Conceptual Beauty, a beauty service based in Washington, DC specializing in wedding services such as engagements and bridal parties along with fashion shows and executive headshots. She has over 20 years of makeup and beauty consulting experience. She is also the lead makeup artist for Ascender Communications and freelances with the local NBC news team in the DC metro area. Her clients include Nancy Pelosi, Nancy Cartwright, Armin Van Buuren, Hugh Jackman, Vashawn Mitchell, Richard Smallwood, Benjamin T. Jealous, Colin Powell, Wanda Durant, and Former Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf.
    Christin Birckhead
    Makeup Artist
    Expert Answer
    You can use a concealer to hide your under-eye circles. Choose a concealer based on your skin tone. If your under-eye circles are dark, pick a deeper orange. If you have fair skin, you can use a lighter peach. But you should apply them sparingly and set them with a translucent powder.
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  • Question
    What eyeshadow color should I choose if I have dark skin?
    Christin Birckhead
    Makeup Artist
    Christin Birckhead is a Makeup Artist and the Founder of Conceptual Beauty, a beauty service based in Washington, DC specializing in wedding services such as engagements and bridal parties along with fashion shows and executive headshots. She has over 20 years of makeup and beauty consulting experience. She is also the lead makeup artist for Ascender Communications and freelances with the local NBC news team in the DC metro area. Her clients include Nancy Pelosi, Nancy Cartwright, Armin Van Buuren, Hugh Jackman, Vashawn Mitchell, Richard Smallwood, Benjamin T. Jealous, Colin Powell, Wanda Durant, and Former Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf.
    Christin Birckhead
    Makeup Artist
    Expert Answer
    You can use gold and bronze. These go well with dark skin. You should not only be careful about the color but also the texture. Use gold or bronze only on your eyelid. Keep the crease or the area directly under the eyebrow matte or without a shine. Only the eyelid should be shiny, while the rest of the parts should be flat or matte.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
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  • Question
    How do you prevent gel eyeshadows from creasing?
    Christin Birckhead
    Makeup Artist
    Christin Birckhead is a Makeup Artist and the Founder of Conceptual Beauty, a beauty service based in Washington, DC specializing in wedding services such as engagements and bridal parties along with fashion shows and executive headshots. She has over 20 years of makeup and beauty consulting experience. She is also the lead makeup artist for Ascender Communications and freelances with the local NBC news team in the DC metro area. Her clients include Nancy Pelosi, Nancy Cartwright, Armin Van Buuren, Hugh Jackman, Vashawn Mitchell, Richard Smallwood, Benjamin T. Jealous, Colin Powell, Wanda Durant, and Former Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf.
    Christin Birckhead
    Makeup Artist
    Expert Answer
    First, make sure that your eyelid is completely dry. Use a water-resistant primer under the gels. Use very little of it. Otherwise, it will curdle and crease.
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      Things You'll Need

      • Medium eyeshadow brush
      • Angled or tapered brush
      • Blending brush
      • Pencil or eyeliner brush
      • Eyeshadow palette or several complementary eyeshadow colors

      Tips

      • If you want to wear false eyelashes, apply them after you finish your eyeshadow look. [17]
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      Warnings

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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.cosmopolitan.com/uk/beauty-hair/makeup/advice/g4827/eye-makeup-brushes/?slide=3
      2. ↑ Christin Birckhead. Makeup Artist. Expert Interview. 14 April 2020.
      3. ↑ https://www.cosmopolitan.com/uk/beauty-hair/makeup/advice/g4827/eye-makeup-brushes/?slide=4
      4. ↑ https://www.cosmopolitan.com/uk/beauty-hair/makeup/advice/g4827/eye-makeup-brushes/?slide=8
      5. ↑ https://www.cosmopolitan.com/uk/beauty-hair/makeup/advice/g4827/eye-makeup-brushes/?slide=5
      6. ↑ https://www.cosmopolitan.com/uk/beauty-hair/makeup/advice/g4827/eye-makeup-brushes/?slide=7
      7. ↑ https://www.cosmopolitan.com/uk/beauty-hair/makeup/advice/g4827/eye-makeup-brushes/?slide=6
      8. ↑ https://www.cosmopolitan.com/uk/beauty-hair/makeup/advice/g4827/eye-makeup-brushes/?slide=7
      9. ↑ https://www.cosmopolitan.com/uk/beauty-hair/makeup/advice/g4827/eye-makeup-brushes/?slide=10
      1. ↑ https://www.cosmopolitan.com/uk/beauty-hair/makeup/advice/g4827/eye-makeup-brushes/?slide=9
      2. ↑ https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/beauty/makeup/a35631/how-to-apply-eye-makeup-guide/
      3. ↑ https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/beauty/makeup/a35631/how-to-apply-eye-makeup-guide/
      4. ↑ Christin Birckhead. Makeup Artist. Expert Interview. 14 April 2020.
      5. ↑ https://www.realsimple.com/beauty-fashion/makeup/eyes/apply-eye-shadow
      6. ↑ https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/beauty/makeup/a35631/how-to-apply-eye-makeup-guide/
      7. ↑ https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/beauty/makeup/a35631/how-to-apply-eye-makeup-guide/
      8. ↑ https://www.thetrendspotter.net/how-to-apply-eye-shadow/

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