Which eyeshadow suits your routine?
A soft daytime look, a playful accent or a smoky eye: eyeshadow lets you choose how much definition to give your eyes. This collection includes loose mineral eyeshadow and pressed shades. Start with a colour you already enjoy, or combine a light base, a deeper shade and a reflective accent. Check each product page for the colour, undertone and finish; the shade name alone does not tell the whole story.
Loose or pressed eyeshadow: compare the textures
Loose mineral eyeshadow
Loose eyeshadow comes as fine powder in a pot. Dispense a small amount into the lid, pick it up with a brush and tap off excess. This lets you control the amount and build colour gradually. Take a little time to get used to dosing: too much powder at once can fall underneath your eyes.
Pressed eyeshadow
Pressed eyeshadow is powder set into a pan. Pick up the colour directly with your brush. It is practical for a quick routine and your own combination of shades in a magnetic palette. Before ordering, check whether the product is an individual colour, a refill or a complete palette.
Choose eyeshadow for your eye colour
Blue and grey eyes
Warm copper, peach, bronze and gold can create contrast with blue eyes. For grey eyes, you might also try taupe, pink or plum. A thin wash gives a softer result; a deeper brown in the outer corner adds definition.
Green eyes
Pink, mauve, purple and warm browns are lovely starting points for green eyes. A small accent may be enough. Prefer neutrals? Combine beige with taupe and add a deeper shade close to the lash line.
Brown and hazel eyes
Brown eyes offer plenty of possibilities, from soft earth tones, copper and gold to green, blue or purple. With hazel eyes, different colours can draw attention to different tones. These are ideas rather than fixed rules: your style, skin tone and the strength of the colour matter too.
Matte, satin, shimmer or glitter?
Matte eyeshadow adds colour without visible shine and works well for soft transitions and crease definition. Satin has a gentle sheen. Shimmer reflects light, while glitter sparkles more noticeably. Try a matte crease shade with a little shimmer on the mobile lid. Check the finish described for each colour, because reflective shades do not all have the same effect.
How to apply and blend eyeshadow
Start with clean eyelids. Pick up a little colour, tap your brush and press the powder onto the lid. Add a deeper shade to the outer corner, then soften the edge with a clean, soft brush. Build the next layer only after blending. With hooded eyes, look straight ahead with your eyes open between steps to see where the colour remains visible.
A base for your eye look
An eyeshadow primer can help create a more even base, particularly if colour tends to gather in your crease. Use a small amount and follow the directions. Wear also depends on your skin, skincare and the quantity of eyeshadow. A face primer is not automatically a primer for eyelids.
Choosing with sensitive eyes in mind
Check the ingredients for the particular shade if you want to avoid certain substances. Talc-free means there is no talc; it does not rule out irritation or an allergic reaction. Use clean brushes, keep powder out of your eyes and discontinue use if it feels uncomfortable. Build colour at your own pace and choose shades you enjoy wearing.
Complete your eye look with eyebrow powder. Compare loose and pressed shades and choose an undertone that works with your brow hairs.