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CHANEL LIQUID EYESHADOW // TOM FORD EYE COLOR QUAD // IRIS & ROMEO CONCEALER // UNDEREYE CONCEALER BRUSH // EYE PATCHES // KOSAS AIRBROW // MAKEUP BY MARIO PALETTE
I’m all of the sudden very interested in eye shadow and eye liner. For years, I have sworn by Nyx eyeliner in black (ultra-fine-tipped; dries matte; inexpensive), a heavy hand of mascara (I have several favorites but the one I keep going back to is Tower28), and any cream shadow that can be applied with a finger. I have no idea why, but the thought of using a brush to apply a powder shadow feels like a bridge too far in my already-long makeup routine. My two favorite cream shadows / eye “bases” that I wear 90% of the time are Ilia (in the cork color — you’d think this would come out dark but it somehow just evens out the eyelid) and Laura Mercier in wheat or linen (brightens and evens eyelid). This liner-cream-shadow-mascara trio has given a very natural look — like me, but better? — and has been straight-forward to apply. All that said, I don’t know if it’s my winter pallor, overall fatigue, or age (40!) but I’m feeling like I need to turn up the volume a little bit on this scenario because I look in the mirror and see a tired and washed-out me, especially in the eye area. One thing I’ve noticed from having my makeup done every now and then by Glamsquad* is that whenever I think the makeup artist has done a good job, it’s usually because she’s spent a lot of time on my eyes, and they really look defined, contoured, accented. Help! I need to learn how!
I’ve been researching (TikTok videos) and am listing a few of the products that are on my radar below. I especially like the eye shadow sets that have a combo of matte and metallic colors — metallic feels too loud for day, and I always look for a palette that has a good nude/ivory/cream color to use as a base. I have also been obsessing over this bronzed eye liner I saw someone wearing on Instagram, hence the two listed below. Finally, Alix Earle did a video where she applied these Chanel powder shadows and I am dying to try them, too.
KEVYN AUCOIN CONTOUR EYE SHADOW SET
HERMES EYE PENCIL IN THE MORDORE (#15) COLOR OR LAURA MERCIER’S EYELINER IN THE BRONZE COLOR
RMS EYELIGHTS LIQUID EYE SHADOW
LAURA MERCIER WINTER WONDERLAND PALETTE
On the implement front, I bought this Laura Mercier eye shadow brush years ago (all of their brushes are incredible) and it is still the ONLY ONE I will ever use despite the fact that I have an entire arsenal now. It’s the perfect shape and size.
I feel like I’m set in the brows category — I still love Kosas AirBrow and the eye brow pencil and eye brow pen from BDB. The latter are SO GOOD and about 2/3 or 1/2 of the price of other products that are identical (e.g., the brow pencil is indistinguishable from Anastasia). Feel really good about that trio!
And for undereye — I did cave and order the DRMTLGY undereye corrector so many of you raved about while it was on sale during Black Friday promotions. I plan to layer this beneath my current favorite concealer, Iris + Romeo’s Best Skin Days treatment concealer, which is SO GOOD, especially when applied by this Hourglass brush, which is MEANT for undereye concealer. The Iris and Romeo concealer is what I thought Nars’ radiant concealer would be like based on all the hype, but Nars just never did it for me — it looked cakey and matte and at the same time didn’t provide good coverage? I don’t know, I did NOT get that product. Iris and Romeo’s has a great lightweight consistency but offers solid coverage and is easy to blend.
Finally, I do think that applying a good eye cream and letting it absorb for five or ten minutes before applying eye makeup is critical. I use either UBeauty’s The Return Eye Concentrate (great hydration, silky smooth absorption — my sis was just asking for my rec and I turned her onto this; use code JENSHOOP for 20% off) or this under-$20 caffeine eye cream that works REALLY well on puffy eyes. I will say that Liz Adams was just talking about how she feels like her eyelids are looking really wrinkly and saggy and that all of her followers were raving about this Avene product. I’m intrigued…
But my major secret to bright, happy eyes: these eye patches from Jillian Dempsey. I know I’m a broken record here but they really astound me each time I apply. (Do I need to apply more often?!) They are the only eye product I’ve ever used that leaves my skin visibly brighter. It’s like you’ve just slept a full 24 hours. Your undereye is luminous, moisturized, happy. Someone on Instagram described it as “undereye botox.” Use code JENSHOOP for a discount.
Your turn – please share all your eye makeup tricks and suggestions! Help!
*Reminder that my codes still work at Glamsquad! $20 off for new users with code JenniferS and $15 off for repeat users with code JenniferS15.
P.S. More beauty favorites – all under $20.
P.P.S. European pharmacy favorites.
P.P.P.S. How do you make a big life decision?
For me, the first non-negotiable has always been a good eyeshadow primer (currently using Hourglass Veil Eyeshadow Primer); primer enables the shadow to adhere to your lids so that the color stays put on all day or night. Choosing shadows with rich pigmentation is the other half of the battle… I’m currently loving Mac Cosmetics again but also go back to Natasha Denona.
For soft, wispy strokes on the lids, hold your brush closer to the end of the handle and move with gentle strokes. To create deeper shadows or really build color (I.e., lids, crease), hold your brush closer to the bristles. Dampening the brush can also help bring out the pigmentation better.
I tight line my waterline using Mac’s Eye Khol Eyeliner Pencil in the shade “Costa Riche” and I recently switched to Kat Von D Tattoo Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner in “Mad Max Brown” for my top eyeliner. I never use a really heavy liner on my bottom lash line… instead, stick to shadow and apply using a thin brush (I carry down the same color from my top lids).
I also exclusively use drugstore mascara! It’s the only thing I’ve found that doesn’t “bleed” or leave residue on my face… most premier mascaras have transfer issues. I use Maybelline Colossal Mascara in “Classic Black”.
I think one of the biggest things to remember is that each person’s eye shape is different, and this will dictate how eye makeup looks on them. I have bigger, rounder eyes with a lot of eyelid “canvas” space to work with. What I do with my own makeup may not look right on someone with smaller, deeper eyes. For smaller eyes, I recommend not using a top eyeliner, and this would only make ones eyes look smaller than they are.
Lastly, I always say “You can learn anything on YouTube!” Don’t know how to apply eyeshadow? Watch tutorials and then practice on yourself. There are so many great resources out there available for free. This is how I learned.
Eye makeup is FUN!
LOVE this and completely impressed you can tight line — I have a girlfriend who can do this lickity split, too, and I just end up stabbing my eye. Goals. You’re right – I’m going to start watching more YT/TikTok videos on this!
xx
Oh how I feel this same sentiment when I look in the mirror each morning! I haven’t made my way through all of it yet, but immediately thought of Hillary Kerr’s Substack from yesterday. https://hillarykerr.substack.com/p/eyes-eyes-eyes-joey-maalouf-gave
Perhaps a lesson with Joey is a last minute wish list item!
OMG!! This was so helpful. I need to read in more detail to learn more about the placement point she makes — how placing the shadow is everything! Also I definitely want one of these consultations!!
xx
*Thanks for sharing!