Natural eye makeup application can be a daunting thought. Color choices, primers, lashes, glue, mascara, and tools can turn an artistic ritual into a true ordeal. Gravitating toward a zen approach for beautification sets a balance and true refinement foundation.
Wingtip eyeliner and smokey eyes are not my everyday go-to look. Special occasions also don’t motivate me to personally create sultry eye shadow designs because I don’t look like myself. I gravitate towards natural accents, color correcting, and pops of subtle color when it comes to eye enhancement. A simple swipe of bronzy liner can transform green eyes into a mesmerizing statement. If you have an intensifying urge to experiment with undetectable earthy shadows and liners or want to try a fresh look, here are ideas we can unpack together on how to start using natural eye makeup.
Using natural makeup effectively can create soft, clean and glowing looks.
Photo by Christian Diokno from Pexels.
There are epidermal layers to address first. The eyelids and under-eye area are the thinnest layers of skin on the human body. The upper lid can easily become oily or moist, while the skin under the eye lacks oil ducts and can become crepe-like and dry. Eye care cosmetics should support this delicate zone with healthy ingredients. Organics, minerals, botanicals, and cruelty-free options are repertoires to pursue. Allergy-prone skin needs sensitive formulas tested on people for soothing results.
In the Beginning
Begin with a clean face. Cleanse, tone, moisturize, and prime – if including that step. Beware of serums or sunscreens that may “ball up” around the eye area, which prevent seamless blending. A quick wipe around the eyes with a tissue will absorb extra oils and product residue. Oily to combination skin types respond best to water-based or light facial moisturizers and mattifying primers. Lid oils have a higher acidic PH. When oils mix with shadows, colors can go awry, streak, and cause irregular patches resulting in an unnatural look so make sure to use a tissue to absorb any excess oil around your eye first.
Concealer
Concealer is not a mandatory prerequisite for natural eye makeup, but it will give you a more flawless surface. In a holistic sense, the meridian points for the kidneys are located under the eyes. If you have eye puffiness or discoloration, please assess your diet, supplements, medication, sleep pattern, and water intake. You can color correct around the eye; however, eye bags cannot be corrected effortlessly and often become more accentuated if the wrong color concealer is used. I’ll share antidotes for reducing under-eye bags in another article!
If you choose to use a concealer under foundation or with no foundation, remember the main goal is to create an even canvas on the skin, minimizing uneven color and imperfections. The skin around the eyes can range in red, blue, or purple tones. Select a more orange concealer for bluish purples and hyperpigmentation. Alternatively, a more yellow concealer works well for redder tones.
Photo by Adrienne Andersen from Pexels.
Often, there are beneficial healing ingredients in concealers. Dab the concealer on the trouble spots and gently blend in. Use a cosmetic sponge to perfect. Oily and combination skin types do well with mineral-based gel-like concealers. Dry skin types will lovingly soak up moisturizing emollient bases. If you find the under-eye area developing milia – tiny pale yellowish dots, it can mean the concealer oils are too heavy. There are possible dietary connections for milia showing up in this area if heavy concealer is not the culprit.
Eye Wash
A crucial step in the eye Makeup process is the almighty EYE WASH or blend base, as Makeup Artist Bobbi Brown refers to it. Think of priming before painting as a reference. Pre-primed paint jobs consistently surpass an unprimed surface. Use a neutral matte eye shadow or an eyelid primer for your eye wash.
The consistency of an eye shadow is heavier, more opaque than foundation and dusting powders. Choose a neutral powder pigment based on your skin undertone if you want to stay true to the hue with a seamless long-wearing eye shadow. Undertone choices are: warm (golden, olive, yellow), cool (blue, red, pink). Warm and cool undertones? Consider yourself “neutral.” You will have a fair game with color choices! Hair color is another factor when determining the right shades so make sure to keep that in mind when choosing your eye wash.
Select bone, creme, ivory, tan, light brown, nude, or white base blend colors to start your eye makeup
Shadow Time!
Want to know what combination of eye shadow colors best compliments your eye color? Here are complementary natural matte, light shimmer, and liner hues.
Brown Eyes
Greens
Amethyst, Purples, Lilac
Gold, Silver, Copper
Gray Eyes
Peach, Coral, Orange
Pinks, Rose
Gray
Teal
Light Browns
Green
Bronze, Copper
Amethyst, Purples
Rose Gold, Pinks, Burgundy
Taupe
Neutral Gray
Blue Eyes
Gray
Ambers, Orange
Pale Blue
Neutral Matte Browns
Pale Greens (Blue/Green Eyes)
Hazel Eyes
Gold
Plum, Amethyst
Amber, Peach
Gray
Smoky Browns
Eye Shapes
Do you want to know the best way to apply natural makeup to different eye shapes? Here’s a helpful guide to help you get started.
Almond:
- Sweep light color on the lower and upper lash line.
- Blend upward on the top lash line.
- Add color in the crease area or at the “V” area above the outer edge of your eyelid and into the crease.
- Apply a darker liner on the top lid lash base.
Deep Set:
- Brush light color on the lid and darker pigments above the crease.
- Blend up and out.
- Apply light mascara.
Close Set:
- Apply a light color on the inner eye corners.
- Place shadow pigment, liner, and mascara on the outer corners of the eyes.
Down Turned:
- Apply liner on the upper lid at the lash line, ending just before the outer eye’s edge and blending out and upward.
- Blend shadow along the crease on the outer 2/3rds of the eye.
- Curl lashes and apply mascara.
Protruding:
- Place darker matte shadows and liners on the upper and lower lids at the lash line.
- Blend well.
- Apply dark mascara.
Hooded:
- Apply medium to darker matte shadows on the fold and blend both directions. Diffuse the color at the outside edge of the inner pupil.
- Minimalist mascara and liner.
Finishing Touches
Complete your natural eye makeup with dark brown or black mascara on top and bottom lashes. Use a brow brush to tame and define brows. Apply neutral matte brow color with a stiff angle brush to fill in brow zone patches. Blend and brush to smooth and shape.
Color play with powder shadows, cremes, and liners supports your inner child and will lead you to aha moments for appealing eye looks that match your style and personality!
