I do have a motto (I didn't before this post but figured it would be nice to have a catchy one) about eyeshadow application. Define, divide, and conquer! This came about when I was teaching dear ol' mum about eye anatomy. Okay, it wasn't really a deep medical topic, more like a shallow moment on makeup. No matter, it resulted in an epiphany moment for her--simple eyeshadow application.
The colors above:
- 1-Smashbox Contour kit
- 2-Nars Coconut Grove
- 3-Nars Mekong
- 4-Tarte SmolderEyes in Bronze
- 5,6,7-Viseart eyeshadows
- 8-Jane Iredale Taupe
- 9-MAC Paintpot Quite Natural
- 10-Maybelline Color Tattoo in Tough as Taupe
- 11-Kryolan TV Brown
- 12-Make Up For Ever-164
You know in my Into the Palette tutorials, I usually include an eye contour color. The reason, it is a guide. Define the eye area (orbital ridge) to divide it from the lid area and brow bone allowing you to see the shape of it; therefore, conquering all your eyeshadow fears.
Finding a good contour color can be a big task and here are a few colors that work for various skin tones in various textures from cream to powder.
Smashbox Contour Kit ($45USD)-I haven't reviewed this one yet but I can tell you for those of you who want an all-in-one kit; this one even though it is a facial contour kit, makes an excellent basic eyeshadow kit. You have your contour color to define and the highlight for the brow bone. Bronzer can be used as a lid color. Simple and no-nonsense.
Nars Coconut Grove & Mekong Eyeshadows ($23USD)-I haven't reviewed these either. I have to say that these may be dark looking but when blended which they are very easy to do will render a nice medium tone brown. And yes, you can use the shimmer because this one (Mekong) has a satiny matte base to it.
Jane Iredale Taupe, Make Up For Ever 164, Kryolan TV Brown are all good for that natural looking contour color or that almost no-makeup look. If you are a little hesitant about contouring your orbital ridge, start out with these colors. They are like the training wheels of eyeshadows.
Viseart Eyeshadows-These are three colors taken from the palette that are good contour colors. Buying the palette pretty much guarantees a contour color will be found for most if not all skin tones.
Maybelline Color Tattoo Tough as Taupe, MAC Quite Natural Paint Pot, Tarte SmolderEyes in Bronze-Cream products are great for long lasting results. The ones mentioned are quite nice for their color and blending textures. The color can be adjusted for major contour to a natural look depending on how much is applied. The Maybelline due to its saturation of color is pretty much going to look like the contour of the no-makeup look.
These are just some of the colors that make a great contour for the eyes. You may be asking is it really necessary to define the orbital ridge? Well, like I said it makes application a whole lot easier. It also defines your eyes better. You see your eye up close and you see the contour of it but people see you from afar. The depth of your eyes are lost. Defining the depth will shape the eye which in turn adds to shaping the entire face.
See the difference on Lisa from Beauty Info Zone?
