Top 25 Eye Makeup Tips For Beginners

Dazzle in fun eye makeup looks every day with these tips, and let your eyes do the talking.

Reviewed by Favour Akinjiyan, Makeup Artist
Written by Esha Saxena, MA (Mass Communication & Media Studies)

Edited by Madhumati Chowdhury, MA (English Literature)

Fact-checked by Bhumika Daga, MA (English) • Nov 24, 2023

Image: Shutterstock

Getting your eye makeup on point is not an easy task. Every experienced makeup enthusiast has several eye makeup tips and tricks to get it right. A perfectly done eye makeup can enhance your features and add that pop of color to your face.

To help you create that magic with your eyes, we have curated a list of some interesting eye makeup tips for those just stepping into the world of makeup. So, the next time you want to experiment with your eye makeup, be confident and keep these easy tips handy. They will help you evolve from a novice to a pro in no time. Scroll down to know more!

Keep In Mind

Keep It Simple: If you are a beginner, keep your eye makeup simple. Start with neutral hues that match your skin tone and eye color.
Consider Your Skin Tone: Warm skin tones look best with gold, bronze, and brown shades, while cool skin tones look best with blue, purple, and gray shades.
Determine Your Eye Color: If you have green eyes, purple and lavender hues will bring out the natural color of your eyes, whereas if you have blue eyes, peach, and copper hues will make your eyes pop.

In This Article

Simple Eye Makeup Tips For Beginners

Eyeliner Tips
Mascara Tips
Eyeshadow Tips
Eyebrow Tips

Eyeliner Tips

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Eyeliner may or may not be a staple for you, but it is one of the most basic steps of doing your eye makeup. It gives you the freedom to work on the shape of your eyes, emphasize them and fill in any sparse looking lashes. It depends on the texture of the eyeliner and your preference as to how you’d like to apply this – clearly defined or smudged – it looks great either way.

Let’s take a quick look at some of the tips and techniques for this step.

Ensure your eyelids are clean and then apply a primer on them, so the eye makeup does not smudge and stays on for longer.
To make your eyelashes look denser, apply the eyeliner as close to the lash line as possible so it appears to be a part of your natural lash line. This is called tight-lining. Make a dotted line from the outer to the inwards corner and connect the dots (you can use a stiff slant brush to blend the dots out into an effortless soft line).
Make sure the tip of your liner is thin but blunt to achieve precision and so you get the perfect shape.To make a sharp pencil liner blunt, swipe it quickly on the back of your hand. You can also freeze your eyeliner before sharpening to keep it from crumbling.
To accomplish the perfect cat eye or winged eyeliner, use a liquid liner – start on the lash line at the pupil and work your way towards the corners. If your hand is not steady enough for liquid liner then first line your eyes with a pencil liner, then trace over it with your liquid liner.

(If you’re in a rush, it is in your best interest to just skip the liquid liner!)

To accomplish a smokey eye, opt for a pencil liner as these tend to be softer and creamier. Also, you can smudge it out using a smudging brush for that effortlessly cool smoky eye.
As you get older, refrain from using bold colors and opt for subtle shades like brown, for a more elegant look and apply mascara to complement the simple look.

Note: Always tilt your face up and look down as you apply eyeliner. Doing this ensures you achieve symmetry.

Mascara Tips

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Don’t you agree that mascara completely transforms your eyes, giving you that extra oomph? The magical mascara wand makes you look bright-eyed and youthful. It’s a total game changer and the only kind of drama that I like.

Here are some important tips for bang-on mascara application.

Always start applying your mascara from the roots of your lashes and wiggle your way to the tips.Doing this instantly volumizes your lashes and does not weigh them down.
After applying one coat of mascara, wait for about ten seconds to go in with a second coat (if desired). This way, your lashes don’t get clumpy!
Wipe off excess mascara from the wand on a tissue before applying, so it’s easy to maneuver and won’t clump (unless you’re going for the spidery-lash look).
Before you go in with mascara, always make sure to curl your lashes using a high-quality eyelash curler. When you curl, pinch your eyelash curler at its base and hold it tightly rotating upwards.
The way you hold your mascara matters! Hold your wand horizontally for thicker lashes and vertically (especially for the lower lashes) for a more natural look.
If you want to make your mascara last longer, then stop pumping the wand while pulling it out (this way you are only sending in the air to dry the product out), just swirl it to prevent it from drying out.

Katie, a makeup and beauty blogger, shares her experience of trying a popular mascara hack on her blog. She used the wand of a high-end brand with a drugstore mascara. About the result, she writes, “Overall, I’d say this is a great money-saving hack. Mascaras get used up so quickly that if you are in love with a high-end one, you could end up repurchasing it three or four times a year. With this hack, you can get the same or at least a similar result with a much smaller cost (i).”

Quick Tip

You can also opt for fake lashes or lash extensions in case you are not confident using mascara. They come in different sizes and materials; just be careful with the eyelash glue, though.

Note: For best results, mascara should be the last step of your eye makeup.

Eyeshadow Tips

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Eyeshadow does the job of adding depth and giving dimension to your eyes. If it’s applied correctly, it makes your eyes look bigger and helps accentuate your eye color. Want some tips?

Invest in high-quality products and brushes. They will go a long way besides ensuring proper application and blending.
If you want your eyeshadow to stay put all day and not crease, and want its color to really pop out – use a good primer before you go in with it.

On the other hand, if you desire a less pigmented eyeshadow look that is vibrant and poppy, cover your eyelid with a white eyeliner first. This helps to cancel out the color of your skin and it creates an even base for your eyeshadow.

For the bottom area of your eye (near the lash line) – use a dark shade of eyeshadow, for the area above that, use a medium shade and for the top, use a light shade (possibly with a subtle shimmer) and blend them well.

Eyebrow Tips

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Eyebrows are often underrated, and I can’t begin to stress how important they are to provide structure to your face. Well groomed brows are indeed a game changer; they frame the eyes and they drastically improve your look. If you are someone who has over-plucked them, then worry not, because just a little bit of added definition will make a big impact!

Want some tips?

There are various brow pencils and other products available on the market. Pick a shade that best suits your hair color and fill in any gaps using the product.
The most important thing to remember while defining your eyebrows is to keep the look as natural as possible. For this – make sure to blend the product out properly to avoid any harsh lines and such.
Use a subtle highlighter right beneath the brow, under your arch to show off the shape and to add height to your brows.
If your eyebrows are out of control, use an eyebrow gel to keep them in place. They also tend to look a lot better and groomed with just a little bit of that gel.
Do you want to know the best trick in the book? For a bolder look, use an angled stiff brush and wet it before you fill your brows in with matte brown eyeshadow.

Few More Eye Makeup Tips For Beginners

To avoid ruining your base due to eyeshadow fall-out, finish your eye makeup first and then proceed with the base to ensure your makeup looks fresh.
If you are planning to wear loud eye makeup, keep the lips subtle. It’s always best to emphasize one feature at a time.
To make your eyes look brighter and youthful, highlight the inner corner of the eyes with a light color of eyeshadow.
If you want to instantly curl your stubborn lashes, use a blow-dryer on your curler (ensure it’s not too hot) before you curl them – this way, they will stay curled for longer.
If you use excess product, like an eyeshadow, use blotting paper to remove it without disturbing the eyeliner.

Those were some really simple eye makeup tips and hacks for every beginner out there who has been overwhelmed by the world of makeup. These tips cover all the basics and hopefully, you will keep some of these pointers in mind the next time you’re doing your makeup.

Now that you have some tricks and techniques of how to put these products on, it’s time you learned a thing or two about how to remove eye makeup too. It’s critical for you to take off every bit of makeup at the end of the day to ensure your eyes and skin remain healthy. There are a lot of ways to remove waterproof, stubborn makeup. Let’s look at a few easy ways to remove eye makeup.

How To Remove Eye Makeup?

Method 1: Removing Eye Makeup Using Eye Makeup Remover

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If you are investing in makeup products, please ensure to pick up a high-quality makeup remover. This is the most popular way to remove your makeup. However, besides this, there are other ways like using coconut oil or some baby shampoo.

Note: Please don’t use your face wash to remove your eye makeup. The eye area is rather sensitive, and this will only result in dryness and your lashes falling out.

Before you hit the wash-basin to remove your makeup with water…wait! Use wet wipes to remove all your makeup before you actually wash your face.
Don’t rub or apply too much pressure while you are going in with the wipes. Use minimum pressure and gently wipe away.
You can use a cotton ball and dab some eye makeup remover and wipe with it as well.
In case you run out of makeup remover or want to use something more natural, just take some coconut oil between your hands and slather it across your face and eyes, leave it on for a while and then gently remove all traces of the oil using a cotton pad.

Note: In case you do not have coconut oil, you can also use olive oil, almond oil or petroleum jelly to take off your eye makeup)

Use a gentle cleanser to wash your face.
Dab on some toner to close the pores, moisturize and dab on some under eye cream to provide relief to the region.

Related: 5 Best DIY Makeup Removers

Quick Tip

Make sure to remove your mascara before bed as you otherwise may lose a few lashes. Mascara causes your natural lashes to stiffen and makes them prone to breakage.

Method 2: Removal of Eye Makeup Using Baby Shampoo?

Remove makeup from the rest of your face.
Splash water on your face, concentrating on your eyes. Pour some baby shampoo onto your palm and work out a rich lather.
Apply this on your eye and make to and fro motions.
Splash water again to remove the soap content.
Repeat if required.
Wash your face using a mild face wash.
Follow your CTM (cleansing, toning, and moisturizing) routine – it’s essential to use a toner after washing your face, as it helps close the pores and makes skin healthier. A toner is also known to reduce blemishes.
Dab on a good moisturizer.
An under eye cream makes the skin supple and helps you avoid eye bags and dark circles.

Remember, the baby shampoo might not be effective where long stay eye makeup products have been used.

Infographic: Beginner-Friendly Makeup Tips For Mesmerizing Eyes

Eye makeup techniques, especially eyeshadow and liner application, can be tricky to master. If you are new to the world of eye makeup, don’t feel overwhelmed. Instead, take a look at the infographic below and learn the essential tips that will help you get started. Scroll down.

beginner friendly makeup tips for mesmerizing eyes (infographic)

Save the high-quality PDF version on your device now.

Download Infographic

As a beginner in the makeup world, we understand that you would have FOMO by checking out all the magnificent eye makeup that people around you are sporting. But is not it helpful to have these simple yet effective eye makeup tips handy? Experimentation is key. Though creating a makeup look that perfectly complements your face can take time, it is worth trying any day. Get the required tools for the job, such as mascara, eyeliners, and eyeshadows, and be patient with yourself! At the end of the day, you need to be comfortable in it to slay. Not to mention, the shared tricks and tips work efficiently for all eye shapes, be it monolid, hooded eyes, almond eyes, or round eyes, these techniques are guaranteed to take your makeup game up a notch.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does eyeshadow last?

This purely depends on the method you used to apply the eyeshadow, your skin type, and the weather. If you have oily skin and you live in a hot climatic zone, your eyeshadow will probably melt into the creases quicker. The best way to make sure that it stays on for a long time is to use a primer. A primer prevents any creasing and helps the makeup last longer

How to get fuller lashes?

If you’re looking for a quick fix, you can tightline your eyes and use an eyelash curler and a volumizing mascara. But if you’re looking for something for the long run, you can try applying olive oil or castor oil to your lashes. Take care not to get any in your eyes. These tips work tremendously, especially if you wish to wear a natural look and not use false lashes.

How long can you keep the eyeshadow?

Where makeup is concerned, try to wash off your makeup after 8-12 hours. When it comes to shelf life, a cream eyeshadow can be kept for 12 months and a powder eyeshadow for 2 years. In case you develop an infection, visit a doctor and dispose of the product that caused the infection.

How to hide under eye bags?

Use a concealer under the bags of your eyes instead of concealing the actual bags. Concealing the bags will only make it stand out. Use a night cream, drink plenty of water, and get a good night’s sleep.

Do you put foundation or eyeliner on first?

If you wish to achieve the perfect winged liner that doesn’t get smudged easily, apply eyeliner first before going for the base makeup with foundation. However, there’s no harm in using a foundation before the eyeliner if you can blend it well.

Do you apply foundation to eyelids?

If you need to even out the skin tone, you may dab a little bit of foundation on your eyelids. However, too much foundation might appear cakey and enhance the crease lines on your eyelids.

Do you put eyeliner on before or after mascara?

It is recommended to apply eyeliner before mascara. Lashes coated with mascara may prevent you from outlining your eyes correctly.

Do I put eyeliner on before or after eyeshadow?

Eyeliner is applied after eyeshadow in order to sharpen the lines and make them visible.

Key Takeaways

Apply primer on your eyelids before applying any makeup product.
Use highlighter in the corners of your eyes to make them stand out and add a subtle glitter effect.
Apply a single layer of white kajal on the waterline to make your eyes appear bigger and brighter.
Curl your lashes before applying mascara.
Use good quality eyeshadows and brushes.
Remove your makeup using wet wipes before washing your face.