Q&A: Perfect Eyes in Sight!

What is a universally flattering eye make-up look?

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. 

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). Extra tip, using a little foundation on your lids helps makeup colors stay truer and last longer.