Let’s face it…ever since a certain pandemic made face masks de rigeur, THE most important feature has suddenly become the eyes! The windows to your soul have always been a key element to your beauty look, and now more than ever, all the focus is on them. Here are five ways to make sure that your eyes really do have it.
COLOR ME BEAUTIFUL
When you want to make your eye color pop, choose tones on the opposite side of the color wheel for contrast. (To be that extra: coordinate your face mask shades too!)
Here’s a quick glance:
Green: Purples, corals, burgundy
Blue: Browns, golds, bronzes
Brown: Blues, teals, greys
Hazel: Dark neutrals (brown or grey) or lighter colors (orange or violet)
Three pro tips for applying eye color:
- Prime the lid with concealer.
- Pat the shadow on first and then brush to blend the edges.
- For added longevity and intensity, use an eyeliner first, then blend and set with shadow.
GO NUDE
The modern nude eye is the barely-there, no-makeup makeup look that’s so low-key it looks like you #WokeUpLikeThis…but oh-so-subtly makes your eyes appear more intense and wide-awake than they would au naturel.
Top three tips for creating a nude eye:
- Prime the lid lightly, using concealer or sheer tinted moisturizer as opposed to heavy foundation.
- Your lid color should contain juuuuust enough subtle shimmer to catch the light. (The Petal Essence pale cream color shown in this tutorial gets it exactly right.)
- The right brushes are key to creating slim, defined lines and perfect blending.
OF CREASE YOU SHOULD
Applying a standout shade in the crease of your eyelid helps define your eye shape and create boldness. The darker the color, the more intense your look will be. For playful drama, use a bright or bold color in the crease.
Top three tips for applying shadow in your crease:
- To find your crease, tilt your head up and look down into the mirror.
- When applying shadow to your crease, use a windshield-wiper motion to soften harsh lines.
- You’re creating a recessed effect, so use matte colors in the crease. Shimmery shades reflect light, offsetting the effect.
JUST BROWS-ING
Eyebrows are THE key to framing the face. The best and easiest way to be on-trend with your brows is to keep them groomed, natural, and well-defined. As for color… stay within one or two shades of the darkest part of your hair.
Top three tips for great brows:
- Avoid overplucking. Those tweezers are for STRAY hairs under or over your brow line – not for you to create an entirely new shape.
- Find the right products. Our go-to is Aveda’s Brow Definer, a pencil that features a spoolie on one end, and on the other, a long-lasting color that’s smudge-proof (and fade-, sweat-, heat- and humidity-proof).
- Brush them! Get in the habit of brushing your brows into shape before filling them in…you’ll be amazed at how much fuller and shapely they look.
SMOKE SHOW
The intense smokey eye is THE quintessential sexy makeup look, and not easy to master. We’ll skip the descriptions here and let Aveda’s Global Artistic Director for Makeup, Janell Geason, go right to the tutorial:
Top three tips for a smokey eye:
- To ensure you’re drawing more attention to the eyes than the makeup, make the darkest point at the lash line.
- Keep it simple…3 shades of shadow and a liner.
- Blend, blend, blend and blend again! This is the biggest skill that separates “sultry bedroom eyes” from “raccoon chic.”
When all eyes are on your eyes, it’s fun to have choices when it comes to playing them up! As with everything, practice makes perfect…and remember, you can always ask us for makeup tips when you’re in Nuovo for your next appointment. Click here to snag a spot in our Sarasota or Bradenton locations.