When it comes to eye makeup, there’s no territory more expansive or ripe for experimentation. And a lot of it requires mastering specific techniques, like blending, cut creases and smoky eyes. But fear not, newbies: There are tons of tutorials that can help you level up your eye game. Whether you’re looking to try something simple or want to learn how to do a more dramatic look, these expert-approved tutorials will have you slaying your eyeshadow game in no time.
A great place to start is with a primer. The best eyeshadow primers are lightweight, smooth and blendable so they won’t crease or move during the day. And they can also help your shadow last longer. The best way to apply eyeshadow primer is with your fingers (and especially your ring finger, since it’s the lightest touch). Dab the primer onto your lid and up to the brow bone in an upward motion. You can then use a fluffy brush to buff out any hard lines for a more blended, natural-looking finish.
From there, it’s time to add color. Most eyeshadow looks are built on a base shade, a transition shade, a dark outer corner and a highlight shade for the inner corner and brow bone. For a natural look, stick with neutral shades—think brown, tan and beige, with matte or slightly shimmery finishes. And for a more dramatic look, go with a metallic or glitter shade. And don’t forget to add eyeliner to your top and bottom lashes, plus a small wing for definition.
As for the rest of your makeup, keep it minimal. This type of look works for most skin tones, and it can be a great look to wear from work to the gym. Depending on your eye shape, you can play around with different color palettes: bronze shades look good on fair complexions, reds and purples enhance medium-dark skin tones and greens pop on those with blue or brown eyes.
Once you’ve got your basics down, it’s time to start experimenting with more elaborate looks. You can take a look at these tutorials for inspiration:
For those with hooded eyes, YouTuber Daisy Marquez has a great video to show you how to create a natural look that will enhance your eyes. Or, if you want to wear a little more drama, you can check out this eyeshadow tutorial for hooded eyes by YouTuber Beats by Deb.
The ever-popular smoky eye is an easy look to master once you know the basics. This YouTuber’s tutorial is perfect for beginners who want to know how to do a basic smoky eye that will make your eyes really stand out.
The key to a flawless smoky eye is all in the blending and building. Once you’ve applied your foundation, brows and cheeks, dip a thin eyeliner brush into a medium or dark eyeshadow shade that matches your eyeliner, then sweep the shadow along your upper and lower lash line to define it. You can even create a soft cat-eye or winged liner look with this technique.