For everyday, quick make-up , we don’t usually use too many cosmetics and accessories. In the morning rush, most of us apply foundation, a dab of blush, mascara and gloss. But for special occasions, like a theatre night, an important date, or a friend’s wedding, we have the time to create a full, glamorous look with that ‘wow’ factor.
Since eye makeup especially needs attention to detail and a few key products, here’s a closer look at everything you’ll need. This can be particularly helpful if you’re new to makeup.
Brushes and tools
Let’s start with eye makeup brushes. You don’t need a full professional kit, but a few basics can make all the difference for a complete eye look.
Eyeshadow brushes
The most important eye makeup brushes are the ones used to apply eyeshadow. For a basic kit, you’ll want to have two main types:
- a small, flat brush with a rounded tip for precise colour application anywhere on the lid;
- a dense, soft blending brush with a rounded, fluffy shape that helps to seamlessly blend shadows for a soft, diffused “cloud” of colour.
For certain types of eyeshadows, you might also consider a sponge-tip applicator (known as an eye shadow sponge). These can work well with some cosmetics, e.g. loose pigments, where pressing the product onto the skin is key for good colour payoff.
Eyeliner brush
The most commonly used and convenient brush for drawing eyeliner (whether with cream or gel liners, or even eyeshadows) is a long, fine-tipped brush with thin bristles, resembling a needle. This design makes it easy to create precise lines on the lid with almost one stroke. An alternative option is a stiff, flat brush with either an angled or straight edge, often marketed as an eyebrow brush. This style is also great for drawing bold, defined lines, especially if you prefer a more graphic, geometric look.
Eyebrow brush
The small, flat, angled brush described above allows for precise application of eyebrow powder or pomade. With a high-quality, very fine brush, we can easily draw individual hairs to fill in any sparse areas in our brows.
Eyebrow and lash brush
When putting together your eye makeup accessory kit, it’s also a good idea to include one or more eyebrow and lash brushes, like those often included with mascaras. These brushes help perfect the shape of your brows and can be used to separate clumped lashes for a more defined, tidy look.
Eyeshadows, pencils, and pigments for the eyeslids
Once you have the tools to apply your cosmetics, it’s time to gather the products you’ll use. The essential coloured cosmetic for eye makeup is, of course, eyeshadow. It’s hard to recommend specific colours, as it’s best to choose shades that complement your beauty type, outfit, or the occasion. However, there are a few versatile shades that should be in every makeup bag.
- two or three matte eyeshadows in neutral colours like cream, beige, and brown. These shades blend beautifully together and can create an elegant, almost invisible eye makeup look for work, or they can serve as a base for experimenting with other colours;
- a neutral, shimmering eyeshadow (like coffee with milk or champagne) will add shine to your eyelids, highlight the brow bone, or brighten the inner corners of your eyes;
- a colourful eyeshadow (ideally in 2-3 shades) that suits your beauty type: for blue eyes, pinks and purples work best, while for green eyes, copper and chocolate tones are great. For brown eyes, greens and shades of blue will look striking.
- It’s also useful to have a black eyeshadow in your collection, either matte or sparkly, depending on your preferences. This can be used to create a soft, smudged eyeliner effect.
Using a few good brushes and the eyeshadow palette described above (either ready-made or custom-combined), you can create a full eye makeup look, including eyeliner along the lash line. However, if you want to really have fun with your makeup, it’s worth investing in a few extra products. A precise, thin line can be drawn using a pen-style eyeliner or gel eyeliner applied with an angled brush. Pencil eyeshadows allow you to apply colour precisely (for example, in the corner of the eye) and are also great for travel as a practical substitute for pressed eyeshadows. Finally, pigments and loose eyeshadows are highly pigmented and allow you to create bold, dramatic, and carnival-like makeup looks.
Mascara application
No eye makeup is complete without defining the lashes. While on a daily basis, we usually settle for a single coat of regular mascara, or even skip it entirely (especially in hot weather), lashes for special occasions are a whole different story. For important events, lashes should be long, thick, and fan-like, ideally in a deep black shade. For grand occasions, like a New Year’s Eve ball, some of us even opt for special effects, such as glitter mascara.
If you want to stick with one mascara that works for everything—from work, to meeting friends, to an important event—choose a lengthening and volumising formula, ideally a lightweight one that won’t clump your lashes together. It’s a good idea to go for a waterproof mascara, one that will resist tears during a wedding, but can still be easily removed with makeup remover milk or oil. For most of us, black mascara will be the best option, while blondes might consider brown mascara.
Framing the eyes: eyebrows
Eyebrows, sometimes referred to as the “frame of the eyes,” are indeed a crucial feature of the face, and they absolutely must not be overlooked in a complete makeup look. According to current trends, eyebrows shouldn’t be overly bold, but that doesn’t mean they should go unaccentuated. Trendy eyebrows are those that are subtly shaped but still look natural, in a colour that complements your overall appearance, particularly matching the natural shade of your eye area.
To create the perfect eyebrow makeup, you’ll need a product that adds the right colour (ideally slightly darker than your natural shade), while also setting the arch in place and keeping the hairs tidy. You can opt for products that combine both functions, or you could go for two separate items. Products such as tinted brow gels and mascaras, as well as pomades and waxes, usually come in various shades for blondes, brunettes, and dark-haired individuals. If you choose a two-step method, you’ll need a product for adding colour (like a brow pencil or eyeshadow) and a setting product — either a clear gel with a brush or brow soap.
