Secrets for applying eyeshadow

Secret #1:  Blending is key!
HOW TO BLEND? Use different colors: The base color is usually a lighter color; use a highlight color for the crease and a main color for the lid. The key is to get the colors to look as if they merge into each other like the colors of a rainbow?
Secret: Start light then go darker. Brush the base color to the entire eye up to the brow bone (base is the lightest color), apply the lid color (the medium color) and THEN apply the highlighter (the darkest color). Also, don't be too heavy-handed or you'll have to start over.
Extra tip: I like to apply the color using a dot-tapping technique. This is achieved by dabbing the color on the lids, once the color is on the lid I then begin to blend the colors by lightly brushing the colors together. Also practice makes perfect. Play with your makeup a few days before a big event.

Secret #2:  Choose shadows that make the color of your eyes pop!
The days when beauty experts advised against blue or bright colored shadows are long gone. Matching the color or the use of complimentary colors of your eye with a shadow actually brings the color out (think blue shadow on blue eyes or green shadow on brown eyes). At the same time, contrasting colors also make eyes pop (think a deep blue shadow on deep brown eyes or gold shadow with blue eyes).

Secret #3:  Never apply deep color to your brow bone -- unless you're doing a cover shoot for Vogue!
You don't want to look to dramatic unless you are doing editorial pieces. Less is more. Apply shadow up to the brow bone but don't apply shadow ON the bone unless it's a neutral color.

Secret #4:  Highlighter can make or break your look!
When applying dark shadow to the crease of your eye, be careful to blend mainly on the outside edges. Get to close to the eye and you'll cause your eyes to look teeny and beady.

Secret #5:  Set shadow with a great base!
Primers are super hot right now because they help set makeup that stays for hours. Without primer, sometimes the shadow absorbs into the lid and the color does not pop. My favorite primer is the MAC eye primer; however when if you do not have a primer a small amount of your liquid foundation will work just as well.

Secret #6:  Shimmer is hot, and it plays up wrinkles!
Shimmer makes eyes really pop, but it also highlights heavy lids, lines and wrinkles. If you don't have wrinkled eyelids, you can still try this great look for shimmer: create a "nude" lid, but apply a bit of gold shimmer to the brow bone. Gorgeous!

Secret #7:  Smokey is great, but keep it to the lid.
Want to create a smokey eye? Keep the color to the lid and just under the lower lash line. Don't extend color above the crease.

Secret #8:  How to pair shadow with red lips. Remember the beauty rule "Thou Shalt Not Play up the Lips AND the Mouth." If you're going for dramatic red lips (never out of fashion), cover unsightly lines on lids (if you have any) with a concealer or shadow primer and then keep eye shadow light.

Secret #9:  Make eyes brighter with a little white.
A dot of white shadow or pencil on the inside of the eye near the tear duct will make eyes look brighter. You won't believe how eye-opening this is. This really works! I use this trick even when doing my makeup for work.

Secret #10: Go for color!
I love going to makeup stores and try different shades on my lids just for something different. Taupe and lavender look great on all eye colors. Also consider mixing shades if you bought a color that's just too bold for you. Mixing an electric blue with taupe can turn out the most perfect color.