Both eye and lip makeup make you stand out, whether you make one the focal point or both. However, many people struggle with the application and ignore some important steps that ruin their entire look.
In this blog, we will guide you through achieving a flawless eye and lip look. We also cover expert tips on making your makeup last longer.
30-Second Summary
- Prep is everything. Properly primed lids and hydrated lips are the perfect canvas and help your makeup last longer.
- Understanding your eye shape, placing the eyeshadow correctly, and blending it properly enhances definition and prevents harsh lines.
- Applying thin layers of product, setting them, and using long-wear formulas keep your eye and lip makeup fresh all day long.
Eye Makeup Prep: The Step Most People Skip
Prepping your eyes before makeup is the most important step people tend to ignore. When you prep your eyes the right way, it creates the perfect base for the shadow and makes it stay longer.
To prep your eyes, apply an eye cream or a serum. Serum is really great for the extremely dry under-eye area. Make sure to dab the product. Do not pull your skin; just dab it gently with your finger.
Then apply eye primer, also keep in mind that it is different than face primer. It is necessary to stop oil and creasing. Take a small amount and blend it on your lids. Go all the way up to the brow, even in the little eye corner. Now, your eye prep is done.
Eyeshadow: Blending, Placement, and Making Color Work
After prepping your eye, the next step is to apply eye makeup. But first, you need to know about your eye shape, as it influences how your makeup will turn out.
Understanding Eye Shapes
- Almond eyes: These have a balanced look with slightly upturned outer corners. To enhance their shape, apply light shadow on the lid, blend a mid-tone through the crease, and apply a darker color in the outer corner.
- Hooded eyes: These have extra skin folding over the crease. Use matte shades in the crease to reduce heaviness and apply shimmer to the lid or inner corner.
- Monolids: This eye shape has no visible crease, and the lid is flat and smooth. You need to build depth with gradient shading. Apply a lighter shade at the inner corner, a medium color in the center, and a darker shade at the outer edge. Also, winged liner is great to elongate eyes.
- Deep-set eyes: These eyes have a strong brow structure and sit further back in the socket. Use medium shades across lids, as dark eyeshadows will push your eyes back more. To make your eyes look more open, use highlight on the lid.
- Round and downturned eyes: Round eyes look more open and youthful, while downturned eyes slope downward slightly at the outer corners. For round eyes, use darker shades on the outer corners for elongation. For downturned eyes, lift the look with upward blending at the outer V.
Step-by-Step Eyeshadow Tutorial
- After priming your eyes, apply a base shadow. It should be neutral to create a clean canvas. Begin from the inner corner and work outward.
- Then, define the crease using a mid-tone shade, like medium brown or taupe. Use a fluffy brush in back-and-forth soft arcs or a windshield-wipe motion for blending.
- If you want a more dramatic effect, use a darker shade and put it on the outer corners, extending a little for a lifted look.
- Use the mid-tone or the darker shade and apply it under the lower lashes. Apply from the outer corner to just under the pupil. Keep it diffused, not heavy.
- You can also wear eyelashes, but it is optional. Then, apply eyeliner to make your eyelashes look fuller.
- Lastly, take a waterproof mascara and coat your lashes with it. Do not overapply to avoid clumpy-looking lashes.
- Spray a setting spray onto your face to keep your makeup in place all day.
Eyeshadow Mistakes to Avoid
- Skipping primer, as oil can break the shadow, cause creasing, or fading.
- Using concealer, as the eyes can appear cakey. Concealer also changes the color of the eyeshadow and provides no oil control.
- Using too much product causes fallout, harsh lines, and wastes product.
- Starting with darker shades, as they won’t blend properly and leave patchy spots.
- Applying eyeshadow too high, as it makes your eyes look messy and heavy.
- Ignoring your eye shape, because not every eyeshadow technique is suitable for every eye shape.
- Using the wrong brushes, for instance, using a flat brush for blending, will result in a messy look.
- Less blending or over-blending ruins the look. Not blending leaves visible lines, and too much blending muddies the shades together.
- Too much glitter, as it overpowers your look and highlights skin texture.
Lip Makeup: Prep, Shape, and Color That Lasts
Lip makeup is straightforward and really makes you stand out, even without a heavy face of makeup. Just pick the lipstick shade that suits you, and let’s start the makeup.
- Before you apply lipstick, exfoliate your lips. It helps remove all the dead skin and creates a soft canvas. You can either purchase a gentle lip scrub or make your own by mixing honey and sugar.
- After that, moisturize your lips with a hydrating lip balm to prevent makeup from drying out and to help it stay.
- Prime your lips either with a primer, or you can use a small amount of concealer or foundation. It will neutralize natural lip color and will make the lip product stand out.
- Start with lip makeup by lining your lips. Use a lip liner to define your lips. Extend color from the center of your upper lip (cupid’s bow) and move outward. Do the same for the lower lip, too. To make your lip color last longer, fill your lips with lip liner.
- Take the lipstick and either apply it directly from the tube or use a brush for precise application. You can also use the blotting and layering method: apply a layer of lipstick, blot it with a tissue, and reapply.
- Put on a thin layer of lip gloss for a shiny look. You can use it on the center of your lips for a pouty look or just go with full coverage for an all-over glossy look.
- Set your lip makeup with a setting spray or take a tissue, put it over your lips, and dust it with translucent powder.
Expert Lip Makeup Tips
- Do not overapply: Your lips will start looking cakey. Use one or two layers of each product.
- Enhance the cupid bow: Use a small amount of highlighter to create a fuller look.
- Lip contouring: It creates dimension. Apply a darker outline on the outer edges and a lighter shade in the center.
Making It All Last: Long-Wear Tips for Eyes and Lips Together
Who doesn’t want their makeup to stay all day long? Here are some helpful tips.
- Always prep your lids and lips for smooth application.
- Never apply thick coats of product. To set cream eyeshadow, set it with a matching powder.
- Use translucent powder to set your eyes and eyelids.
- Avoid overly glossy lids if your crease easily.
- Pick matte or long-wear lipsticks, waterproof eyeliners, and mascaras.
- Carry blotting paper instead of piling product.
- Reapply lipstick only after blotting the old layers.
Wrapping Up
Eye and lip makeup is the best way to stand out, even if you keep your face makeup minimal. Whether you like to accentuate your eyes or lips, prepping the area and applying products correctly helps your makeup stay all day.
Read our Beauty and Makeup guide to understand the basics of makeup and how to elevate your style.
Interested in taking your makeup up a notch? Visit Trendy Fashion Guide for more beauty-related blogs.
FAQs
How do I stop my Eyeshadow from creasing on Oily Eyelids all day?
To stop oil, use an oil-control eye primer, set it with a light dusting of translucent powder, and choose matte shadows instead of cream shadows.
What is the best Eyeshadow Placement for Hooded Eyes to make them look bigger?
Take a matte eyeshadow and apply it slightly above the natural crease. Keep shimmer on the center of the lid to create depth.
Why does my Eyeline Smudge under my Eyes after a Few Hours?
Smudging happens due to oily skin and watery eyes. Use a waterproof eyeliner and set it with matching eyeshadow.
How can I make my Lipstick Last through Eating and Drinking?
To make your lipstick last, fill your lips with lipliner when you are outlining them. Apply lipstick, blot it, and reapply. Additionally, use a tissue, place it over your lips, and dust it with translucent powder.
How can I Choose Lipsticks that make my Teeth Look Whiter?
Choose blue-based reds, berry colors, and cool pinks. Do not apply lipsticks with orange or warm brown undertones.
