I’m one of those people who got into makeup late in my life, when I started working. Even then, I only started with a lipstick, then blush before I finally had enough confidence to try eyeshadow. Early attempts were pretty much disastrous but these days, I’ve hit upon a technique that works very well for me and that I employ with almost every eye look and colour combination. Its terribly simple and uncomplex so you can imagine my surprise that I quite recently received a few emails asking how I apply my eyeshadow. I never thought that it would elicit interest LOL! 🙂
So, I thought I’d share how I wear a work friendly eye look, and also how I apply my eyeshadow. Its not quite as marvellous or amazing as the many other eyeshadow tutorials you see out there, but I hope some of you may find it useful because its dead easy 🙂
Do note that you can use any colour combination. For my purposes here, I’m using just 2 colours to keep things easy – a light shade (beige) and a dark shade (black). Most people opt for brown shades for work. I shy away from brown so I prefer going with a black for definition and a light for colour and highlight.
1. Bare eye. You may prep your lid with a lid primer or dab some concealer or cream eyeshadow in a neutral shade over your lid. I curl my lashes first and apply mascara before doing my eye makeup.
2. Apply a light beige shimmer shade over your whole lid.
3. Take a black or dark shade and apply on the outer 1/3 of your lid. Don’t be afraid that it looks harsh or odd at this point.
4. Blend the dark shade inwards so there are no harsh lines. Add a dab of lighter shade in the inner part of the eye to lighten the colour if you prefer something less stark. Keep the outer part darker.
5. This is more or less how it’ll look with your eyes open. Lighter shade on the inside part of the eye, darker shade on the outer part, blended in the middle.
6. Using an eyeliner pencil or brush, draw a line on the lower lid, just a small part of the way to define the eye shape. Don’t draw it too long or that may look too harsh or stark for the day. Use a light coloured eyeliner pencil or using an eyeliner brush apply a light shimmer beige shadow on your lower lid. This covers up the redness that makes eyes look tired, and makes eyes look bigger and brighter.
7. On the upper lid, draw in your eyeliner on the top line and tightline if you prefer.
8. Finished look.
How long does this take me? Well about 5 minutes if I’m in a hurry or, if I have more colours to play with and more time on my hands, longer. I will also note that this technique works for me primarily because of the shape of my eye which is the classic shape of an Oriental eye, being long with not much lid space, and without deep folds. If your eye folds are deeper, you may have to take the colour up further so that its visible when you open your eyes.
And for completeness, here’s how I would wear this look to a slightly more serious work place than mine 🙂
Eyes: L’Oreal Infallible Colour Eyeshadow in Hourglass Beige and Eternal Black ; Cheeks : Chanel Les Tendres de Chanel Les Roses Travel blush highlighter palette; Lips: Chanel Rouge Coco Shine in 60 Antigone
Whenever I play down my eyes, I tend to play up the rest of my face to keep things balanced because I’m one of those people who love colour 🙂
It is, as I have noted, uncomplex and not quite as elaborate as many other excellent tutorials out there. This is actually an adaptation of the Japanese layering method which I was using before this. It works well with sheer shimmery eyeshadow which is my texture of choice and I do it this way because its faster for me and defines my eye shape better. I hope some of you found it useful 🙂
I just realised that about 2 years back I posted a similar sort of look also using black and light shadow – tells you a lot about my personal style right? 😛 I went back to look at it and realized that I must have tweaked things as I went along the past 2 years, because I much prefer my present method – practice as they say, makes perfect 😛 Also, I’ve abandoned the heavier smokier look I used to do and am now going for a more defined eye look. Funny how our personal tastes change 😀
Would you give this technique a try or do you already do your eye makeup this way or in a similar manner?
Paris B
Very similar! I’m a little lazier and have mine down to a pat in 30 seconds because I’d skip the eyeliner. Hourglass Beige and one of the black dior singles. Because I’ve got double eyelids, I usually pat the black in all the way along the lash line. When I’m doing the blending, I bring it up a little so the colour is a little visible when the eyes are opened.
Haha I think this is about the most common way of applying eye makeup 😀 Thanks for sharing your application for double eyelids too!
I have issues with trying to replicate really light but effective ‘work-style’ make up like this because being a mono-lidder I feel like I have nothing on my eyes at all because the folds just eat up whatever eyeliner I draw on. I will attempt this again though because it’s just too pretty and it’ll be a good guide for me to not go OTT with eyeshadow.
May I ask, how do you remove tightlined eyeliner? I can do tightlining to a certain extent but removing it has been a real pain so far. I can only poke myself in the eye that many times. I’ve tried cotton pad soaked with eye makeup remover (body shop. Maybe this is the culprit?) but it doesn’t get to the tightline as well as I’d hope. Now I’m resorting to cutips to slowly remove it milimeter at a time. Is there a faster less painfull method? Thanks!
Hi Jas Min, I don’t know other people’s method but I use q-tips when removing tightlined eyeliner. And I use Clinique’s Take The Day Off Makeup Remover For Lids, Lashes & Lips as it has a dual phase for easier make up removal. But any dual phase eye make up remover works great. I’ve tried Body Shop’s Camomile Gentle Eye Makeup Remover but to me it doesn’t perform well even on eyeshadows (darker eyeshadows).
Thanks for sharing your tips Rahainah! 😀
Hi Jas Min, I use my regulation eye makeup remover (I use either L’Oreal or Biore that you can see in this post) wet a cotton pad and hold over my eyes for a few seconds before removing. For under the lid, I fold the cotton pad so there is an “edge” and run it under my lid. A Q-tip works well too but its slower. Sometimes the ease to remove depends on your makeup remover too. I haven’t tried the Body Shop one but the L’Oreal or Biore work well for me 🙂
Love this!! I’m all about the ease myself lately! Looks great on you!
Thank you Tracy! 😀 Easy makeup that looks good is the best discovery ever!
Just realized that I use this method too when I’m applying makeup. The only thing I don’t do is the eye-liner/tightline bit because to this day I still haven’t mastered the art of lining my eyes. >.<
Hurrah! *high5* I find eyeliner and/or tightlining really opens my eyes. I use a soft pencil – its easier and faster and takes the “pain” out of lining 😉
I’ve never imagined doing black eyeliner for work but you made it natural! 😀 Thanks Paris for the tips!
I mean black EYESHADOW! Haha
Welcome Rahainah – would you give black shadow a go for work? 😉 If used in a subtle manner it adds depth, and best of all, does double duty as eyeliner, so that cuts down time even further 😉
Yes definitely, with your method! 😀
Good luck!! Let us know how it goes 😉
I wear thick black eyeliner everyday! 😀
Uwah, I didn’t dare….yet! haha
The way I do my everyday makeup is very similar to this! 🙂 Love your smile on the photo PB! Have a nice day!
Yay! We all have similar eye makeup on eh? 😀 Thanks and wishing you an amazing day too Issa!
Clean and simple… and most importantly, looks good too =)
Thanks Lily 🙂
Believe it or not, I have never tried applying eyeshadow myself, and totally shy away from it – my ‘work’ look is same as my ‘going out’ look, just eyeliner and mascara on the eyes. Will give it a try one day, looks straightforward enough thanks to your 1-2-3-guide! =)
Eyeshadow is a slippery slope Soo Yin – once you start, you can’t stop hehe… but seriously, I do think some colour in the eye area aids with definition and can help one look perkier especially on tired days. A bit of golden or beige shimmer helps hide the red rims 😉
Love how the blusher and lipstick look on you! So pink and fresh looking!
Thank you Applegal 😀
I remember when I first started working (which was in early 2011), I had absolutely no clue what was “work appropriate” makeup. So I pretty much stuck to foundation, a brownish-pink blush, some mascara, tightline upper-lid and a bit of coloured lip balm. But after 3 days of work, I realised that even with that amount of minimal makeup (it was minimal to me!), I was the only one who had an almost full face of makeup! I tried to tone it down a bit more, but nope, it didn’t work as I felt that it just wasn’t me. Nowadays, I literally wear a FULL face of makeup. It is what I am comfortable with and it gives me the extra confidence to stand & speak in front of a whole room of people.
After all that long winded speech, I have always loved looking at your eye makeup whenever you put FOTD. Usually, they look really understated but still can be quite colourful/dramatic. I should try doing this type of looks instead of doing my usual cut crease, as cut creases is a in your face! kinda of look when you use blacks. 🙂
P/S: What happened to the GA ETK Intense review? Did I miss the post? 🙂
hahaha, same here! Which is why I am one of those who asked Paris B for her technique!
haha, I remember when I first started doing makeup for formal occasions, like photo-taking, and work, I continued my school-days makeup (which is LOUD, because of Western+Youtube influence). And gosh, if ever there’s a chance for me to show my work ID photo, you’ll see a clown in the picture. LOL. Yup, and my graduating photo too… … SUPER PINK. =PP
It was those photos that made me realize I really, really need to tone down. Then I started to try being more light-handed. But I always, always use 4 shades at a time, and of course, now I know that 4 shades is really way too much to look neutral and more like everyone else!
What a long learning curve. LOL. Now I look back and laugh at myself.
It’s really only this year that I begin to appreciate neutral, and being more like Paris.
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Anyway, I’ve always kind marveled at how you look so neutral despite having colors! So this is the trick. =DDD I used to think you do it with all 5 colors on the Dior palettes. LOL. Thanks for sharing. Going to have to try this out asap!!
Oh, and now I finally understand why you always rock brighter lip colors!
Hehe I usually wear at least 3 colours normally. So with a Dior palette, I might wear 3 or even all 5 but I layer them so its quite subtle 🙂 I find that I’m more comfortable with shadows that are sheerer for this purpose, because layering doesn’t give a heavy strong look. That might explain why I don’t use strong pigmented eye makeup colours like those from MAC because I’m not a fan of the opaque coloured look. Works beautifully for those who are talented enough but easy to make mistakes, in my experience 🙂 Also when it comes to technique, I think sometimes, when we grow up we tend to go for a look that enhances our looks instead of changing the look totally. I used to wear bright red blush. Yes, don’t laugh 😛 I don’t anymore because I’ve worked out that it makes me look too much like an opera singer LOL! With age comes wisdom 😛
Your story sounds very similar to mine, believe it or not. When I started working (not in 2011 😛 ) I had on powder, some blush and a lipstick and that was 3 more than anyone else in the whole office had on. When I went on to add eyeshadow, I was 4 up 😛 Interestingly, I noticed that the other ladies subtly started wearing makeup after that. A bit of lipstick, a bit of powder and I thought it was a marked improvement overall! 😀 But you’re right, we should wear what makes us comfortable and so long as it looks appropriate (not party looks or overly wild colours unless it will not raise brows) then why not? 🙂
Thanks for the compliment re: the eye makeup. Means a lot to me! I’m not very talented as far as creativity goes for eye makeup hence the softer blended out look. And no, you haven’t missed the GA ETK – I have yet to photograph them >.<
Love this post! i am a late bloomer in make up too! Powder foundation, gloss were the only staple. Only recently added blusher..should gain some guts to experiment the eyes *looks left and right*
Yes Shasha, you should experiment! 😀 My suggestion is to get an eyeshadow palette with a light and dark colour in there and perhaps a couple of other colours to let you play around. A quad is quite sufficient to start with and then you can expand from there 🙂 Good luck!
Hi Paris,
Finally can see your post, have been waiting for it. Thanks a lot of sharing the application technique! Really useful and beautiful 🙂
Glad you enjoyed it April! I hope you found it useful.
Well, I hardly apply eyeshadows to Uni, but when I do, it’s usually to test products hahahahahaha. But when I do, I try to keep the look simple, heh heh.
Thanks for the tips, PB!
You’re welcome Hanny. When I was at uni, I had not a lick of makeup on hehe…
I wonder who created the workplace code for makeup and what authority this person has to dictate women the world over what to wear and what not to wear. I know in my employee handbook there is a section addressing grooming which mostly describes dress code for men and women. Nothing about makeup.
The funny thing, many women choose to err on the side of caution and to minimize to the point of going bare face. Sad, because it makes for a drab working environment and an excuse to be lazy when it comes to grooming.
Having worked for the past 22 years (too old for this blog?) I have had the opportunity to see the work environment from a variety of places such as south east asia, far east,middle east/gulf, the americas. Not scientifically tested but i noticed that Malaysian women in general err too much on the cautionary side. Just look at the thai office workers, jakarta, hong kong and even for those working middle eastern/gulf women. I love seeing all these women presenting their best to the world. Back home, I see women coming to work with pale ruddy face, chapped lips and walking about in slippers.
There is a strong statistical evidence stating that women who wear makeup in business gets better jobs and promoted more quickly. I can attest to that.
I am sorry PB, I digress yet again. The eye make up look lovely and I wish more women will make the effort to do this when they go to work, especially those who interract with the public.
Is the 5 minutes for the eyes only or for the whole look? And looking forward to your take on the GA ETK E/S.
Oh yes, you are right. I notice that the Thais REALLY doll up. It is a big cultural difference.
Never too old for this blog Ishi! 😀 I loved reading your comment because you know what? I feel the exact same way. I don’t know why office ladies locally are so afraid… or is it lazy? to put on just a bit of makeup on. When I travel, even regionally, I do notice that ladies in Thailand and Indonesia especially, place a lot of emphasis on their looks. I don’t think it detracts from their abilities to perform in their job and they look good while doing it. Sometimes, its not even about makeup, its about grooming. Combing one’s hair, dressing well (not necessarily expensively) and not wearing frumpy clothes to work can do wonders for a person and will, I’m sure improve career prospects. All things being equal, the odds are the better groomed person will get the job/promotion.
The 5 minutes is just for the eyes. I spend a bit more time on base makeup and apply lipstick running out the door 🙂 I’ll be bringing the GA ETK review soon (now that I’ve got 2 kicks up my butt to get in gear! 😉 )
Great tips, PB! I normally just slap on the eyeshadow from bottom to top, dark to light. And if I have time, I use liquid eyeliner to line. Haven’t found a pencil eyeliner that doesn’t smudge on me yet. Any recs? 😉
Erm I only use the Guerlain Kohl one these days. The Canmake pencil isn’t bad either for a small pricetag (try to grab Legeeque before she goes back) but I don’t have very smudgy eyes normally >.< BTW I do that style of eye makeup too - the gradiational style I learnt from the Japanese. Works well for our eye shape 🙂
I basically do mine with this technique too! I do like my liner though, so most of the time it’s a bit more dramatic (and more time-consuming). You’re totally right about not taking the shadow to high when you don’t have a deep crease! That would be over-the-top for my personal taste 🙂
High 5 Sunny! 😀 I went through a thick liner phase once too but have since left that. Maybe I”ll play with that again next week 😉
Paris B, when I saw the title of your post after a long day at work, I smiled insanely to myself…because I think you can read my mind or such serendipity!
I have super sensitive and troubled skin post teenage days acne plague (I do feel inferior and ugly actually…) Also, I have super oily eyelids that it burns my eyes by the end of the day. Yet, I was toying with the idea of applying light make-up for work after numerous successful mini makeover outcomes at the cosmetic counters. At the same time, I was wondering what type of eye make-up would be appropriate for work. This interest of mine was further compounded after reading your review on many eye shadow products particularly Urban Decay Naked palette where your review was fair and didn’t overly rave it (but they look like a must-have to me and Sephora is just downstairs at KLCC!!!) and voila, today you shared on simple eye make-up good for work 🙂
It’s a very simple and good guide that you’ve written. Thanks for being such a darling 🙂
LOL!! I read minds, Jennifer! 😉 I’m sorry to hear you don’t feel too happy about the state of your skin. It took me a while to get to terms with my skin (old acne scars and hyperpigmentation) but I’m sure that you are already working on your skincare? There are always foundations and concealers to help skin look better than it does. I’m not sure if mineral makeup (foundation) might help you because you mention you have sensitive skin. Many people with sensitive skin have found that it does help them even if there may be others who don’t agree.
If you have very oily lids, use a primer before apply shadow, and I might suggest that you try a cream shadow too. The one by Shiseido is quite good as is the Benefit Creaseless Cream shadows. I hear the Make Up For Ever ones are good too. They work well for me but I must say that I do not have terribly oily lids so I do not know if it will work for you. If you use a cream shadow, its really easy to get into applying eye makeup because you will just need one colour (choose a neutral beige or taupe) and just slick it over your lid, line, mascara and you’re done 🙂 The Naked palette is a good one to practice with because its a good price for so many shadows that you can try till you feel comfortable with your own style. Good luck! It takes practice but you’ll get used to it soon 😉
Thanks for the tips, Paris 🙂 During my younger days, my mum tried a lot of ways to help my acne problem which actually made it worse at one point in time. So for skincare, I am a late bloomer in the sense that I’ve been trying a lot of products which ended up not so well for me. I am currently using the Estee Lauder ANR and Idealist Pore Refining Essence and their usual cleanse-tone-moisturize range…So far so good, I am ok with it, no allergy.
I realized it takes time to find products that will suit and work for me. So the earlier I start to try around, the better. For now, slowly (and hopefully) I’ll get to a better skin state 🙂 Have a good weekend!
It reminds me of my own experience. Back in the day, I didn’t have much access to info or products so the acne scars are from there 🙁 the good thing is that with age they will fade and sometimes good skincare helps too. Hope the ones you’re using works 🙂
I have monolids but use a method similar to yours. Only that I blend a little of the darkest shadow at the outer edge, not one-third of the eyelid. I discovered recently that if I make a tiny wing at the outer edge, it looks more attractive and can be worn to work! 🙂
It’s not how long you’ve been wearing the makeup… but how much you impact other makeup lovers! 😉 hee!
Nice one milktea! I think a bit of a wing would be really cute! It elongates the eyes and makes it look mysterious 😉 And I like your quote! How true!
This is similar to my signature look! But what i usually do is apply the black on my pretend crease. Oh! And one thing that irks me, and I just have to mention it. I can never curl my lashes uniformly! My right eye’s lashes end up kinda criss-crossed and the ones on the left just curl up nicely. Weird!
teehee… “pretend crease” I like that! 😀 It adds a bit of definition. I tried doing it once but I think I have too little lid space because I looked like someone punched me >.< I have stubborn lashes too! The lashes on my right are very obedient but the ones on my left have a mind of their own. So I just do the best I can and if they aren't behaving, then I use one of my no-fail mascara to tame them 🙂
I have to pretend to have a crease because of my hooded lids, LOL. Depending on the puffiness of my lids, I look like I was punched too 😛 I recently got a new mascara, the Blinc “tube” one, so I’m excited to try that out! Hopefully it can tame my wild lashes, hahaha 🙂
Love this, it is simple and beautiful!
Thank you Gio 🙂 I still can’t do those colourful looks that you pull off so well!