makeup with heart: Basic Makeup: Defining Eye Shape

Lincoln, Nebraska Makeup Artist: Gretchen Wrenholt
http://www.gretchelizartistry.com

The eyes are often described as the window into the soul. Perfecting eye makeup application is the most sought after makeup technique. I wish I had a new lipstick for every time a woman has told me during class, or a makeup application lesson that they "don't like their eye shape", and they "have no idea where the eyeshadow or eyeliner should go". Wow, now that would be a serious collection of lipsticks. Right now, I am imagining scads of Chanel, MAC, Stila, Smashbox, and Sephora lipsticks. I love that, I wish that!

Makeup application should be appropriate for your eye shape. Using correct makeup application for your eye shape will ensure that your sparkling beauties leave a stunning impression on everyone.

Women tend to be overly judgmental about their eye shape. It is crucial to realize that each and every eye shape is beautiful, and has lovely unique characteristics. However, it is true that some eye shapes are easier to identify, and work with than others.

Sometimes people have combination eyes, and so makeup application can get tricky. My advice to women with combination eyes, is to find out what eye shape you are the most. For example, if you are deep set, and your eyes themselves are also close together, which are you more, deep or close set? However, if the characteristics seem to be 50/50, then likely either application for deep or close set eyes can be used. Once you go through the eye makeup application, the best steps evolve naturally. (Application tips for eye shapes in a blog to follow.)

Appropriate eye makeup application just takes practice. No matter what eye shape you have, you can learn how to beautifully enhance it. Following are photos of the most common eye shapes. If you are still unsure which eye shape you have, show a friend the photos and have them help you. Also, flip through your favorite magazine, and try to find eye shapes similar to yours. It helps to look at a lot of photos.

Please note, it can be difficult to "perfectly" define eye shape from a photo, due to camera angle, lighting, makeup, etc. Use the following photos as a general guideline.