I'm after a natural look for daytime - should I wear eyeshadow?

[Jemster]

Hi
I am trying to improve my daytime/work make up as I'm fed up of my boss saying 'you look ever so tired' (hardly surprising with 2 young dc's, one of which wakes at 5.30am!).

I like a natural look so not loads of make up. I'm stuck on eyeshadow and whether to wear it or not.
I have a dark tone to my eyelids which I kind of think adds to my tired look but I am not used to wearing eyeshadow. I have bought an eye primer and then tried shadow over it but it seems to emphasise the creases in my eyelids and it all just looks dry, powdery and cakey.
Am I applying it wrong do you think or do some people just not suit eyeshadow? I want to define my eyes but look natural - does anyone have any suggestions? Thanks

What sort of eyeshadow are you using? Maybe try a cream based one, instead of a powder? Benefit have some lovely shades, Birthday Suit is a really nice neutral for daytime wear.

I just put a bit of eyeliner on my top lid with some mascara to open up my eyes a bit.
Sometimes dab some highlighter just under the brow, but that's as far as I go eyewise during the day.

Here's what I do: clinique all about eyes, touche eclat and mascara. You could put a tiny tiny bit of shimmery gold on as well :)

I only recently started daytime make up for a similar reason. I only have one colour that I think looks right for day - a very matte slightly pinky brown colour. I think even most nudes look a bit much for daytime so I don't tend to wear it. I find BB cream, mascara, blusher and lippie is all I need during the day to look fresher and made up without looking like I'm wearing make up. It's the blusher and mascara that make the biggest difference. The lippie is just to finish it.

I second Birthday Suit by Benefit. Origins do some good "eye brightening" cream shadows. They're really good.

I often just wear a not too shimmery shadow in the same colour as my skin - Mac Grain. It just makes me look a bit more awake, but it isn't noticeable. I apply it with a fluffy eyeshadow brush, like the 217 from Mac.

If I have the time, a darker one used instead of an eyeliner (either applied with push liner or just by the lash line, then toned out) - I like Mac Mystery, which is matte dark brown.

If I look (and feel) very tired, I use a very small amount of an even lighter shimmery colour (Mac Phloof!) in the inner corner of my eyes - it has a nice brightening effect. Whenever I do that, I get compliments and comments about how awake and young I look.

Bobbi brown eyeshadow in 'bone' is a good daytime eyeshadow.