universally flattering looks

The simplest look for your eyes, and universally flattering: a transparent wash of brown.

First, use the shadow as eyeliner, smudging it along the lash line with a sponge applicator (or use a soft pencil in a similar shade). Then use a brush to sweep a sheer layer of shadow over the lid up to the crease; blend softly. You won't need highlighter on the brow bone, the natural contours of the eye create their own highlights. Finish with a light coat of mascara.

Use pink, blue, or lavender eye shadow as an accent only, layered over a neutral base color of beige or pale mushroom. Brush the neutral over the whole lid, then apply the accent color from lash line to crease.

To open up your eyes and enhance their natural shape, try using three shades of eye shadow this way: Apply the lighter shade all over the eye, with the medium shade in the crease for contouring and the darker shade alone as a soft eyeliner, or at the outer corner of your eyes. For a mistake-proof application, put one coat of mascara on before your shadow and one coat after. That'll give you a better sense of the eye's shape, and the second coat will cover any powder that's landed on lashes.

You can try a pearlescent eye shadow for an evening look, but limit shimmer to lids only. If it's worn all over the eye, the sparkle can highlight fine lines. Look for soft, shimmer browns, or brighten matte eye shades you already have by applying a touch of silver or white shimmer to the center of the lid. Urban Apothecary Four Play in Summer is perfect for creating this look- A MUST HAVE BEAUTY PRODUCT.

To add drama and depth to your eyes, use dark brown or brown/charcoal eye pencil (gently smudged)and apply it first, before shadow, to keep the look soft. Or you can use a black eye shadow as a liner (a softer, smokier look than liquid liner). For all-out glamour, use it to add a thin line right at the lash line, and the same under lower lashes (but doing just the outer third of the eye).

Using a little foundation on your lids helps makeup colors stay truer and last longer. Urban Apothecary has the most versatile line of foundations on the market. For sheer, sporty SPF 15 Perfect Protection to full coverage, Maximum Foundation (and everything in between).

When you shop for eye shadow, match the color of your eyes or go brighter than your own eye color.

Here's how you can draw a straight line with liquid eyeliner: Prop the elbow of the hand you're drawing with on a table for extra stability. Gently stretching your skin with the other hand also keeps you on the straight and narrow.

Do you know the secrets to sexier eyebrows?

Apply Mascara Like a Pro

1. First, curl lashes with one firm squeeze of a lash curler.
2. Dip the mascara wand into the tube just once for both upper and lower lashes. More, and you'll load too much mascara onto the wand. Note: If your lashes always look gloppy, use a tissue to wipe excess mascara from the brush before applying.
3. Working from the outer corner inward, place the brush at the lash base and sweep upward to the tips. To minimize clumping, use as few strokes as possible. (It's unnecessary to do the topside of lashes.)
4. For lower lashes, hold the wand vertically and sweep lashes from side to side with the tip of the brush. Or for a face-brightening look, skip lower lashes altogether.

You can create an eye-widening effect by applying a second coat of mascara to upper lashes' outer corners.

If you're over 30, it's generally best to avoid black mascara (unless your coloring is very dark). Brown or brown-black shades look softer and more flattering on most everyone.