Makeup Lesson # 7: Eyes on the prize!

The eyes are the windows to the soul. True. But more than that, they get noticed FIRST when you make your face up.

The concept of contouring can also be applied to the eyes. Light and dark colors often work in tandem to bring out and highlight your eye shape and eye color. Indeed, there are many things that can be done with the eyes.

Many makeup artists have stressed the importance of well-shaped, clean, and defined brows. In fact, they have even gone as far as to say that an impeccably made up face loses its effect if the eyebrows are not groomed. There are many ways by which you can groom and shape your eyebrows. As a rule of thumb, it’s best to study your face shape and work from there. Observe actresses with face shapes identical to yours and sketch or download from the internet how their brows look like.

With a white eye pencil, trace the shape you would like while looking at the mirror. Those left out from that line are the ones to go. I would recommend tweezing as shaving just doesn’t look very clean once small hairs start to grow, and that would be sooner if you shave. Tweeze the stray hairs then work at trimming your brow hairs to the desired length using a pair of baby scissors. If you are hesitant to go through this, you can always make an appointment for eyebrow threading at a salon or spa.

Next are the eye colors. Make sure that the colors you use blend well with each other. Makeup brands have made this easier by selling their colors in quads or in tandem. The lighter shade often goes into lower eyelids, while the darker one can go into the upper lids or the corners, depending on the effect you want to achieve. Use a small eye brush to sweep color on the lower lid, then an angled eye brush for more contour work on the upper or corner lids.

Eyeliners also give a more dramatic impact to your eyes. Line your eyes with dark colors to deepen them. Lining them with light colors such as white or light gold brings them out more. Some eyeliners come in pressed powder form instead of the usual pencil ones. Use a thin eye brush for this (may be used for the brows as well). Tap it once on the product then gently line the eyes. Try for slight, feathery strokes if you have not yet mastered how to line in one go. This will minimize your having to go back and forth and smudging or poking your eyes.

And, of course, how can we forget the drama of the curled lashes? Invest in a good eyelash curler, one that’s got a good grip and produces a good curl that lasts. The best eyelash curlers are more pricy but will certainly last you several months. Align the curler with your eyes and test the squeeze gently, not in one go so that you’ll see that you won’t hit a snag and hurt yourself. Curl three times – on the base of the lashes, on the middle, and on the tips. Apply mascara afterwards.