Break Free Eyeshadow Palette Be You

To brighten up your makeup look, all you need is a tiny swab over the centre of your lid. If you want a smoky eye, skip the lighter medium shades and go for the darker mediums instead.

Liner and contour colours are the darkest colours in your eyeshadow palette. They'll take the most effort, but the payoff will be spectacular. For the perfect cut crease that gives the illusion of giant eyes, outline a V in the crease of your eye with the darkest colours. Alternatively, take a break from your liquid eyeliner and apply the most pigmented colour along your upper lash line for a fun pop of pigment.

Going for a natural look doesn't mean you have to give up all of your fun and colour. Get the best of both worlds with this palette, which combines neutral brown staples with gold and blush glitter shades.
Step 1: Apply eyeshadow primer.
Don't let your natural oils cause creases or smudging in your eye makeup. Apply an eyeshadow primer across your lids, dotting along your upper lash line and up to your brow bone with your fingers to save your best blending—and your time. The best eye shadow primers are lightweight formulas with a matte finish that allow your eye shadows to stand out.
Step 2: Build your base.
Use a neutral shade that is a few shades darker than your natural skin tone to achieve a natural look. Dip your preferred fluffy eye shadow brush in a shade and apply it to your entire eyelid.
Step 3: Define your crease.

Without a proper base, your eye shadow look, no matter how beautifully applied, will be fleeting. Make-up artists stress the importance of doing prep work before opening your palette, specifically using a primer to make your eye shadow last. Apply a thin layer of primer with your ring finger, a Q-tip, or a small flat brush. If you want to effectively prevent colour from travelling to places it shouldn't, apply it all the way up to your brow bone and even beneath the lower lash line. In general, silicone-based primers will work well with most eyeshadows and skin types, but if you're working with a powdery eyeshadow, look for more liquid formulations.

Whatever your eye colour, flesh-toned and neutral shades will either suit you or serve as a good base for other colours you may want to layer on top. But suppose you want to bring out the natural colour of your eyes by experimenting with shimmers, accents, or a monochrome shade buffed over the lid. Most colours are flattering on those with brown eyes, but golds and purples are especially so. Blue eyes stand out against oranges, champagnes, and terracottas, while green eyes are at home in muted browns, greys, and mauves. If you have grey eyes, however, you should use similar colours: silvers, stormy blues, or even a smoky black.