Quick Tip: Eye Shadow

While working on some Lady Gaga looks for my friends going to a concert, I thought of a quick tip for you all.  If you have an eyeshadow that seems to have little payoff (it doesn't show up, looks paler, etc.), try applying it wet.  A little water, eye drops, mixing medium can make all the difference in the color.  There are different ways to apply eye shadow this way; just use the technique that you feel most comfortable using.

1. Moisten your brush with water or whatever you're using and dip it in the eyeshadow.  Tap off the excess and apply.
2. Put a drop of your liquid on the eyeshadow, run your brush over it, and apply.
3. Put the eyeshadow on, it doesn't have to be neat, then moisten the brush and go over the shadow.
4. (My favorite) Scrape a little eyeshadow out on a plate, mixing tray, or something similar and put in enough drops of water to mix to the perfect consistency.  (2-3 drops, give or take.)

The only drawback to this trick is that it takes a little longer to set than dry eyeshadow, so you have to keep your eyes closed until the shadow has dried.  I say it's fully worth it because the color payoff is intense and lovely and it lasts!

This is not a trick for all eye shadows.  Some don't do well when mixed with liquid, so test this out before you attempt to work it into a look.  Eyeshadows that will always work wet are baked eye shadows.  Most usually have a statement on the packaging that it can be used wet or dry.  Any eye shadows that don't have this statement might or might not work, so you have to test it out first.

This trick can also be used on some blushes, so if you have a blush that doesn't seem to give you any color, try applying it with a little bit of water.

I hope at least some of you find this tip useful or at least fun to try.  I love knowing that I can transform my eyeshadow color with just a drop of water.

Stay beautiful, whether you're subtle or intense.

-M