Top 9 eye makeup techniques that a makeup artist should know

Vertical makeup technique

A special feature of this technique is the area where shadows are applied: the eyelid seems to be divided into 3-5 parts vertically. The lightest shade is applied to the inner corner, the middle shade is applied to the moving eyelid, and the dark shade is applied to the outer corner. The boundaries of the shades are carefully shaded to create the illusion of a smooth transition from one color to another.

Horizontal eye makeup technique

In this case, the shadows are applied in a horizontal plane: under the eyebrow - the lightest, in the crease between the moving and fixed eyelids - a medium-saturated or dark shade, on the moving eyelid - a lighter shade. Quite often, makeup artists complement the horizontal technique with sophisticated arrows. It is important to carefully shade the boundaries between all tones.

Combined eye makeup techniques

In these techniques, shadows are applied both horizontally and vertically.

Relief makeup technique

Relief technique is a type of makeup in which, through the alternate application of several shades of eye shadow, the contour (relief) of the eyes is emphasized and a volume effect is created due to a natural haze. It is the highlighting of the crease of the eyelid and the outer corner with a darker shade that creates the volume effect desired by the makeup artist, due to which the relief technique helps to visually correct any eye shape. This type of makeup is based on very soft shading and maximum naturalness of the final result.

Cat's eye technique

“Cat eye” is a makeup technique, the peculiarity of which is a rich outline around the eyes and arrows coming out of it, clearly drawn towards the temple, due to which the effect of cat eyes is achieved. The main goal of this technique is to create an oblong eye shape with raised corners, thereby making it possible to narrow the eyes. The classic version of cat eye makeup is used in black, gray and brown tones.

Cut Crease technique

Cut Crease is a makeup technique in which the main focus is on the crease of the eyelid, using dark shades of eyeshadow of different textures to create a light haze effect.

The phrase Cut Crease itself translated from English means “cut fold.” The technique received such a unique name due to the fact that makeup contrasts the crease of the eyelid itself when using contrasting textures of shadows and using one of them without shading. It is the clear division of the eyelid into its movable and stationary parts that is a feature of this technique, and the line separating them does not require shading.

Smokey eye technique

Smokey eye is an eye makeup technique that involves a smooth transition from light to darker shades, creating a soft hazy effect. The darkest shade is used on the eyelashes and smoothly transitions into a light shade under the eyebrow.

Initially, classic smokey eye makeup was performed using black and gray shades of shadows, but over time it was transformed and acquired many sounds. Therefore, now this makeup can be done both in natural beige shades and in the most colorful colors: lemon, blue, emerald or purple.

Pencil techniques

All makeup artists should be proficient in pencil techniques, because with their help you can create long-lasting and effective makeup, as well as significantly correct the shape of your eyes. An important point is that the shape of the eyes is first drawn with a pencil, setting the desired direction. After this, the pencil is shaded and fixed with dry shadows.

Banana technique

“Banana” is a makeup technique that helps create an arch shape on the eyelid by applying shadows in a certain way and drawing lines with a pencil. This technique got its name due to its shape - with open eyes it really resembles a banana. “Banana” was created for women whose eyes are small and narrow. But with its help you can also correct any eye shape, visually increase or decrease the distance between them.

Loop technique

“Loop” is a makeup technique that involves creating a peculiar loop shape on the eyelid by drawing with a pencil and applying shadows, followed by shading to achieve the desired effect.

Unlike the “loop”, the “banana” involves drawing an upper line that follows the line of the eye (due to which a shape resembling a banana is created), but it does not connect to the lower eyelid with an oval arrow, which is a distinctive feature of a correctly executed loop technique.

Watercolor technique

With the watercolor eye makeup technique, watercolor eye paints or cream shadows are used as a base. This substrate helps create the most durable makeup and also reduces the time it takes to complete the job.