5 Deadly Eyeshadow Sins You Need To Avoid

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Ask any beauty junkie which product they first became obsessed with, and you’ll hear cries of ‘eyeshadow!’ from every cosmetic-fixated makeup lover in the country.

Remember those pre-teen days, sneaking samples from your mum’s/sister’s/older friend’s make up bags? Smearing eyeshadow Cleopatra-style over your lids, sauntering about nonchalantly as though your blue lids were natural and feeling like a rock star?

Those days might feel like a lifetime ago (though I may or may not have recently revisited the power blue shadow look…not sure it’s ready for a comeback yet!) but there are some eyeshadow mistakes which seem timeless. Here are 5 deadly eyeshadow sins to avoid!

1. Skipping the primer

When eyeshadow primers first came out, more experienced beauty lovers were skeptical over their necessity. But once you start properly priming your lids for shadow, it’s difficult to go back – every crease, smudge and smear seems more apparent, and it just doesn’t feel quite right on your lids. Primers don’t have to be expensive, and even a little foundation or concealer can sometimes do the job, but eyeshadow on bare skin is usually a recipe for disaster.

2. Not learning to blend

Blending eyeshadow can seem like a bit of a faff, something that’s only required in the boldest, most colourful looks seen more frequently on YouTube tutorials than in real life. However, a little blending really can go a long way, especially when you’re rocking a smoky eye or brighter shade of shadow. My top tip: imagine your brush is a feather, and work in light sweeps over your lids. Choose a fluffy brush and get to work!

3. Over-applying

When it comes to make up, the phrase ‘less is more’ is applicable to so many products – eyeshadow is no exception! It’s much easier to build up shadow than take it away, so start small and become more adventurous as your look comes together. Even if you’re going for incredibly smoky, dark eyes (which I have been known to do on occasion!) there’s nothing messier than dealing with too much product.

4. Buying cheap eyeshadow

Now this is a tricky one, as there are some exceptions to the rule that cheap eyeshadow = a poor product (and vice versa – not all high end shadows are amazing!). But by and large, if you spend £1 on a palette the pigmentation, finish and durability of the eyeshadow isn’t going to be wonderful. I find somewhere in the middle is good ground – Sleek do incredible eyeshadow palettes for under £10, and the Illamasqua sales always have some brilliant bold staples.

5. Sticking to the same shades forever

It is incredibly easy to get stuck in an eyeshadow rut. You find a couple of shades you like and wear them day in, day out, never experimenting with something a little different. No one is saying you have to go crazy with colour, but at least try it – for example, I know my green eyes really pop with purple eyeshadow, so I’ll add a slick along my lashline every now and again. It’s all about having a bit of fun with make up and enjoying some of the awesome products out there.

 Chyaz

xxx