How to Put on Eyeshadow

Thrive Causemetics
2026-02-08T08:00:00-08:00

Learning how to put on eyeshadow starts with a few thoughtful steps that make all the difference. Whether you’re new to color or just ready to refresh your routine, these techniques can make your look feel more intentional and easy to wear. If you’ve been reaching for the same shade or avoiding certain tones, this is a great moment to explore what else works for you. Not sure where to start? No worries. We’ll walk through the essentials that truly impact your final look — smooth blending, strategic placement, and flattering shades — so you can create a polished, wearable look for any occasion.

Step 1: Start With a Smooth, Prepped Canvas

A little preparation helps your eyeshadow last longer, stay crease-free, and blend more smoothly. It also creates a more even surface so your colors look consistent, not patchy or uneven.

Apply a Lightweight Primer or Concealer

Creating a base layer gives your shadow something to hold onto, resulting in better payoff and more extended wear.

Use a small amount and blend it evenly from lash line to brow bone.

Give it a moment to set.

For added grip and crease resistance, an eye primer keeps everything in place throughout the day.

Set With a Neutral Base

A soft matte base shade preps the lid, helping every color you apply afterward blend more easily.

Choose a skin-toned shadow to set the primer and even out the lid.

Alternatively, swipe a neutral eyeshadow stick like Brilliant Eye Brightener™ in Shaney Jo (Caramel Matte), Blythe (Light Cream Matte), or Estrella (White Pearl Shimmer) for a seamless, natural-looking base.

This extra step makes mid-tones, deeper shades, and shimmers easier to blend and prevents harsh edges.

Step 2: Choose Eyeshadow Colors That Compliment Your Eyes

Wondering how to choose eyeshadow colors for your eye color? The most flattering shades usually create contrast, bringing out the natural tones and unique depth of your iris. Thoughtful color pairings can make your eyes look more vibrant, whether you prefer something soft and subtle or a little more pronounced.

For Blue Eyes

When it comes to makeup for blue eyes, warm, glowing tones bring noticeable contrast, making them appear even more transparent and brighter. Colors with peach, bronze, or copper undertones add warmth without feeling heavy.

Shades to try:

Anise (Warm Bronze Shimmer) creates a soft, sunlit effect that deepens contrast.

Pili (Cool Gold Shimmer) amplifies brightness while adding a touch of richness.

For Green Eyes

If you’re shopping for makeup for green eyes, consider shades with rose, mauve, or cranberry tones. These colors echo the natural red undertones that complement green on the color wheel, creating a more defined, dimensional look.

Shades to try:

Muna (Mauve Taupe Shimmer) enhances the natural shape of the eye while complementing all of hazel’s mixed tones.

Tara (Rose Mauve Shimmer) brightens while offering a soft warmth that highlights green tones.

For Hazel Eyes

Makeup for hazel eyes pairs well with both warm and cool shades, highlighting the natural mix of green, brown, and gold tones. Colors that play into this complexity — taupe, bronze, soft plum — bring out different facets of the eye depending on the lighting.

Shades to try:

Callie (Greige Taupe Shimer) brings out the cooler tones of hazel eyes and creates contrast.

Elena (Bronze Berry Shimmer) draws out the green and gold tones for a more vibrant effect.

For Brown Eyes

Makeup for brown eyes offers incredible versatility. Rich jewel tones add striking contrast, while deeper berries and plums bring warmth and definition. These shades create dimension and help the iris appear deeper and more saturated.

Shades to try:

Lori (Plum Shimmer) creates visual depth, enhancing contrast around your eyes.

Nikki (Gold Blush Shimmer) adds just the right amount of sparkle that can take your look from day to night.

Step 3: Understand Eyeshadow Placement Basics

Every part of the eyelid has a purpose — some areas define, some brighten, and some connect the whole look. Once you get familiar with these zones, placement starts to feel easier, and your eye shape becomes more pronounced.

Apply a mid-tone shade in the crease

A mid-tone is that helpful “in-between” shade: deeper than your base, but not as bold as your deepest contour color. It adds structure without looking heavy.

Choose a color a few shades deeper than your skin tone to shape your eyes subtly.

Think of it as your transition shade, creating a smooth gradation between your lightest and darkest colors.

Use a fluffy brush and blend in soft windshield-wiper motions along the crease for a natural, diffused effect.

If you have hooded eyes, place the color slightly above your natural crease so the definition is visible when your eyes are open. This small step creates lift without looking dramatic.

Use a deeper shade on the outer corner

The outer third of the lid is where you can add depth and dimension — almost like tailoring your eye shape. Here’s where the common question comes in: Should dark eyeshadow go on the inside or outside of your eyes? For most people, the outer corner is the better choice.

Darker shades on the outer edge help elongate the eye and create a soft, lifted effect.

Keeping deeper colors away from the inner corner prevents the eyes from looking smaller or closed off.

Blend upward and outward to create a subtle winged shape that lifts the features without harsh lines.

Brighten the lid and inner corner

Lighter tones balance the deeper shades you’ve applied, helping the eyes look refreshed and open.

The mobile lid — the part that moves when you blink — is the ideal place for lighter shimmers or soft creamy finishes. These textures catch the light beautifully, making the eyes appear more awake.

A touch of brightness at the inner corner instantly adds clarity and enhances the overall shape of your look.

For a quick swipe of radiance, try a lighter eyeshadow stick shade like Stella (Champagne Shimmer) or Mieko (Soft Pink Shimmer).

Step 4: Complete the Look with Eye-Defining Essentials

After your shadow is in place, liner and mascara add the structure that brings everything into focus.

A sweep of waterproof eyeliner along your lash line sharpens the eye shape and adds contrast. Keep it soft for daytime or trace a clean line for something more defined.

Follow with tubing mascara to lengthen and separate your lashes. The formula wraps each lash for a fluttery lift that stays put without smudging, even after a long day.

Eyeshadow Application Tips for Mature Eyes

Eyeshadow can look smooth, lifted, and radiant at any age — it’s all about choosing textures and placement that work with your natural features. If you’ve ever wondered what eyeshadow colors look best on mature eyes, the answer often comes down to soft, flattering tones that brighten and define without emphasizing texture.

Stick to Soft Mattes and Subtle Shimmers

As the skin around the eyes changes, some finishes become more flattering than others.

Soft matte shadows create a smooth, velvety effect that doesn’t cling to texture.

Slight shimmers — nothing too glittery — add light in a way that feels refined and brightening.

Metallics can absolutely still work, but they shine (literally) when placed intentionally. Try tapping them on the center of the lid or the inner corner where a touch of radiance looks fresh, not heavy.

When choosing colors, consider warm taupes, rose-golds, mauves, and soft berries — shades that bring light to the eyes without harsh lines.

Focus Color Just Above the Crease

Placement is truly the secret to a lifted look. Minor adjustments can make a noticeable difference — your eyes look brighter, more lifted, and beautifully defined without needing intense techniques or heavy pigment.

Adding a slightly higher mid-tone shade above your natural crease helps open the eye area and creates a definition that reads youthful and refreshed.

If your lid folds or feels more textured, concentrate deeper colors on the outer third of the lid — this technique keeps weight away from the center of the eye and directs attention upward.

Steer clear of dragging darker shades too far inward or downward, which can make the eyes appear more closed off.

Your Go-To Eyeshadow Routine Starts Here

Learning how to put on eyeshadow is far more approachable when you break it into simple steps. With the right prep, thoughtful color choices, and a clear sense of placement, your routine eventually becomes fun and effortless. Makeup is meant to feel expressive and confidence-boosting, so let your technique evolve as you experiment!

Ready to create your own eye look? Start by taking our best eye makeup for me quiz to find the shades and finishes that suit you best. Then explore our full eyeshadow collection to bring those new ideas to life.