Paint It Black

Although it has been a lingering trend over the decades, black eyeshadow has managed to make its mark on mainstream runways.  And as everyone knows, what is seen on the runway will soon be seen on the streets.  While many girls have been rocking the trend for a while, others avoid it.  Such a bold look is often catagorized as “emo” or “goth”.  However, this is not a “goth” look.  It’s a trend that can be worn by mostly anyone. My friend Svetlana and I recently played with black shadows and discovered great ways it can be used.

The first look is casual, which is the simplest.  I used Maybelline’s “Sparkle” black eyeshadow.  I just dabbed it on Svetlana’s eyelid with my finger, and made sure it was evenly blended all over her lid.  Make sure you don’t go too far past the crease of your eye.  You want to avoid having any dark color on your browbone.  I finished the look  with a thin line of Bobbi Brown gel liner, outlining both her top and bottom eyelids, and brushed two coats of Loreal’s Lash Stilleto Mascara into her lashes.

Subtly is key in the second look.  This is perfect for those days you want to look fresh with just a little bit of edge, or if you’re younger and still trying to stay away from dark eyeshadow.  However, dark colors on younger girls just doesn’t look right.  It makes me sad to see girls in junior high or even freshman trying to look older, when in reality they look like peacocks.  Anyways, that’s where this look comes in handy.  I used Bare Minerals i.d. eyeshadow (color was “whisper”).  I mixed the pigment with water, and covered Svetlana’s eyelid with the pale and youthful pink. I then outlined her eye with black eyeshadow, using a brush to dab it along the top and bottom of her lashline.  I used Loreal Stilleto Mascara, but no eyeliner.

For a dramatic look, we went all out!  I began with Bare Minerals i.d. eyeshadow (color was “Queen Phyllis”).  Again, I mixed it with water, and painted it onto her eyelids.  Any metallic color would be fit perfectly. After her eyes were sparkling, I used an eyeshadow brush to blend the black eyeshadow from the outer corner of her eye through the crease, lightly following her lashline.  Using a cotton swab, I wiped off any eyeshadow that went too far from her eyelids and made sure that no black eyeshadow was on her brow bone.  I added another layer of “Queen Phyllis”, this time loosely, with no added water.  After eyeliner was smoothly swept along her lashline and mascara was added to her lashes, the dramatic look was finished.

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