Keep Your Eye OPEN When You Apply Eye Makeup

I have a pet peeve about makeup photos.  I really dislike the closed eye snapshot that makeup artists take to showcase their work.  Sure if the makeup is for an avant garde look or a product advertisement, then this closed eye photo might make sense.  But for the rest of us “regular” people that walk around with our eyes open, it seems pointless.  Why do I really care what your makeup looks like when your eyes are closed?  I’m not looking at you when you are asleep.  I actually look at you with your EYES WIDE OPEN.  This should impact how and why you apply your makeup a specific way. In fact, it might benefit you to keep your eyes open more often during the application process.

If your makeup looks good, there is NO need for a photo like this!

When to Close Your Eyes

Closing your eyes makes sense when you are applying the base eyeshadow.  This shadow needs to be applied from the lash line to the brow bone.  If you open your eye, you won’t get an even application.  It is also a good idea to close your eyes when you are applying the lid color.  During this application process, you should use your brush to apply eyeshadow to the ball of your eye.

Open Your Eye to Apply the Crease Color

Brush: Stila Double Ended #30 Eyeshadow: NYX Natural Palette

When most people apply their crease color, they eyeshadow along the bone of their eye area.  This technique doesn’t always help enhance the shape of the eye.  It is better to keep your eye open and determine where you want to lift and open the eye area.  Then, blend a matte eye shadow along that area.

If you look at the pictures of me applying my eyeshadow you can see that I am placing the color on the area of my eyes where my eyes start to droop.  When I add this eyeshadow, my eyes look bigger and the problem areas of my eyes are corrected.  Keep in mind, your problem area might be different than mine.  Fortunately, if you keep your eyes open during the crease application, it is easier to figure out what needs correcting.

Keeping Your Eyes Open Can Help You Apply Eyeliner

Eyeliner: Stila Stay All Day Liquid Eyeliner

When people apply their eyeliner, they often follow their lash line too far down.  This can cause the eyes to look droopy. If you don’t want your eyes, to look like this, try to extend your eyeliner up and out at the end of your lash line.  I often like to create this line with my eyes open.  I try to blend it with my lashes so it looks natural.

The makeup that my friend Sarah Lucero did in this photo above is a great example of how a cat eye should look.  The wing of the cat eye blends well with the lashes.  If your cat eye doesn’t look like this, you might want to try keeping your eye open so you can see how to angle the wing of the cat eye.  Draw the wing first, and then complete the line.  It may sound backwards, but it will really help your makeup look better.