How do I put eyeshadow on without it looking like I've got two black eyes?

[Celery]

I've perfected the art of wearing make up. I look good and feel confident in make up. I wear foundation, blusher, lipstick, eyeliner etc, but I have never got the hang of putting eye shadow on.

I've watched youtube video's, I've played about with different colours, brands and textures, but I just can't get it looking anything other than a mess.

Can anyone tell me where I'm going wrong? Perhaps I'm over complicating it, or perhaps I'm just someone who will never suit eyeshadow.

Top tips would be appreciated.

I have quite pale skin, dark hair and lashes/eyebrows, and blue eyes. I think this is a tricky combination to find colours that suit.

Did you try the Lisa Eldridge videos?

Good tips on products and technique. Worked for me.

Yes, Lisa Eldridge, Pixiwoo. I think maybe I'm just not cut out for it.

Do you use brushes? Light touch. Tap excess off. Just put on lid to start.

Try a soft grey or mole colour.

I bet your brushes are crap/too small

PLEASE tell me your'e not using the foam tip wands

I am the same - I have worked that that I have a very small eye lid so can't really do any of the blending etc - I have quite droopy eyes (sound attractive don't I :o) Would love to have an eye lift as I'm sure then I would have no problem blending etc.

Have a mixture of brushes, MAC, ruby and millie, even a Chantecaille one.

Yes, it's the blending I have trouble with. Perhaps I have small droopy lids too.

I find I always get this with powder eyeshadow but it looks better with cream/gel ones.

As you have a small eyelid area and are pale skinned , cover the whole area eyelid to brow with a creamy white shadow and then blend with a large ( agree goood quality= important) brush . Then add your colour(s) to outer edge of eyelid and socket line with a smaller brsh blend again. You can always add more , much more difficult to take away.
A dark colour all over can be too much for your colouring , you can ooompf it up with eyeliner

hth

Celery, i have the same colouring as you, and struggle to find the right colours. I love the smoky grey look but just look like i haven't washed yesterdays mascara off, when i try it.

The only colour i can seem to carry off is a gold/bronze colour which emphasises the blue eye colour. I always get far more compliments on my eyes when wearing it.

Been wearing this since i was a teenager and have various other colours in my posession, but always wipe them off as soon as i apply them cos they look shite. Last year, i did a colour chart thingy and it told me the best colour was in fact the one i was using! Still cant bring myself to get rid of all my others eyeshadows.

Would it be worth asking at a make up stand in a dept store for advice on colour and application technique?

I think that Lisa Eldridge is excellent but she has eyes that lend themselves to eyeshadow. So lots of space between eye lid and brow. If you have small eyelids or deep set eyes it's impossible to get the same smudgey smokey eye look.

I would say that you need to use a taupe colour like this www.houseoffraser.co.uk/Laura+Mercier+Sateen+Eye+Colour/115324648,default,pd.html

And a big blending brush like one of the first two on this page www.promakeupbrush.com/pro_eyeshadow.html

When you look straight ahead you should not be able to see the shadow - as a rule to help with how far you extend it.