Eyeshadow: The Do’s, Don’ts, And How to Use it Like A Pro
Quick answer: To use eyeshadow like a pro, prep your lids with a thin base, put your lightest shade all over the lid, a medium matte shade in the crease and a deeper shade at the outer corner, then blend until there are no harsh edges. Use mattes on crepey or hooded lids and keep shimmer to the centre of the lid. A palette with matte, shimmer and metallic finishes, such as the Thin Lizzy Triple Effect Eyeshadow Collection, gives you every shade you need in one compact.
Eyeshadow is one of the easiest ways to make your eyes look brighter and more defined, but it's also where small mistakes show the most: colour that creases by lunchtime, shimmer that highlights texture, or a harsh line that never quite blends. A few simple do's and don'ts make a big difference, whether you like a soft, everyday wash of colour or a smoky evening eye.
How Do I Choose Eyeshadow Colours?
The easiest way to start is to think about warm and cool tones. Warm shades, such as bronze, copper, gold and warm browns, flatter warm and olive skin tones and make blue and green eyes stand out. Cool shades, such as taupe, grey, plum and soft pink, flatter cooler skin tones and look lovely with brown and hazel eyes. Neutral browns and taupes suit almost everyone and are the best place to begin.
- Light shade: close to your skin tone, for the whole lid and the brow bone.
- Medium shade: a soft matte one or two steps deeper than your skin, for the crease.
- Deep shade: a darker brown, plum or charcoal for the outer corner and lash line.
- Accent shade: a shimmer or metallic to catch the light on the centre of the lid.
Matte, Shimmer or Metallic: Which Finish Should I Use?
Matte shades are the most forgiving. They define the crease, add depth and don't draw attention to fine lines or crepey skin. Shimmer and metallic finishes reflect light, so they make eyes look brighter and more open, but they also highlight texture. On mature or hooded lids, use mattes for most of the look and keep shimmer to a small patch in the centre of the lid.
The Do's of Eyeshadow
- Do prep your lids: a thin layer of concealer or eye base evens out the colour of your lids and gives eyeshadow something to grip.
- Do start light and build: tap off excess and add colour in thin layers. It's much easier to add than to take away.
- Do blend, then blend again: use small circles and windscreen-wiper motions in the crease until there are no visible edges.
- Do work with your eye shape: on hooded eyes, place crease colour slightly above the natural crease so it shows when your eyes are open.
- Do do your eyes first: applying eyeshadow before foundation lets you clean up any fallout easily.
The Don'ts of Eyeshadow
- Don't skip the base: eyeshadow on bare, oily lids is more likely to crease and fade.
- Don't use heavy shimmer all over: it can emphasise fine lines and make lids look puffy.
- Don't take dark colour too far in: keeping deep shades at the outer third of the eye makes eyes look bigger and more lifted.
- Don't forget the lower lash line: a soft smudge of your crease shade under the outer lashes balances the look.
- Don't use old or dirty brushes: they make colours look muddy and patchy.
Our Picks
Triple Effect Eyeshadow Collection
Best for: one palette for everyday and evening looks, in your choice of warm or cool tones.
Each palette has 12 classic shades in matte, shimmer and metallic finishes. The formula is designed for dry brush, fingertip and wet brush application, and each method gives a different texture and intensity, so you can go from a soft, subtle wash of colour to a rich, intense eye with the same shade. It has a silky, smooth texture that blends easily and a crease-free, long-wear formula.
- 12 shades in matte, shimmer and metallic
- Use dry, with a fingertip or wet
- Richly pigmented, blends easily
- Choose the Warm or Cool Collection
Triple Effect Eyeshadow Warm + Cool Collection
Best for: anyone who wants both warm and cool shades to mix and match.
This collection brings together both Triple Effect palettes, so you have warm bronzes and browns as well as cooler tones to choose from. It's a handy way to experiment with different looks, and to find which colours flatter your eyes and skin tone best.
- Warm and Cool palettes together
- Matte, shimmer and metallic finishes
- Dry, fingertip or wet application
- Silky texture, long-wear formula
How to Apply Eyeshadow: Step by Step
- Prep: pat a thin layer of concealer or eye base over your lids and let it set for a moment.
- Base shade: sweep your lightest matte shade over the whole lid, up to the brow bone.
- Crease: with a fluffy brush, blend a medium matte shade into the crease using small back-and-forth movements.
- Depth: press a deeper shade onto the outer corner in a soft sideways "V" and blend it into the crease colour.
- Light: tap a shimmer or metallic onto the centre of the lid with a fingertip for a more intense, velvety finish.
- Lower lashes: smudge a little of the crease shade under the outer third of your lower lashes.
- Finish: add eyeliner and mascara, then clean up any fallout under the eyes before your foundation.
Want to finish the look? Read our guides to choosing eyeliner for your eye shape, choosing a volumising mascara and finding the perfect eyebrow shape.
What Customers Say
"Colours are great, easy to use and stay on throughout the day."
Carol R., Thin Lizzy customer (Triple Effect Eyeshadow Collection)
"Easy to apply with your finger or brush. Beautiful colours. Love it"
Amanda A., Thin Lizzy customer (Triple Effect Eyeshadow Collection)
"Very good product. Stays on, no creasing"
Brenda W., Thin Lizzy customer (Triple Effect Eyeshadow Warm Collection)
Read all Triple Effect Eyeshadow reviews →
Frequently Asked Questions
What eyeshadow colours suit mature eyes?
Soft mattes in taupe, warm brown, plum and soft grey are the most flattering, with a touch of shimmer only on the centre of the lid. Very frosty or glittery shades can emphasise texture.
How do I stop eyeshadow creasing?
Use a thin layer of eye base or concealer first, apply eyeshadow in light layers and blend well. Heavy layers of cream product under powder are more likely to crease.
Should I apply eyeshadow wet or dry?
Dry gives a soft, subtle look; a fingertip gives a more intense, velvety finish; and a damp brush gives the strongest colour. Try all three to see which you like best.
Should I do my eye makeup before or after foundation?
Doing your eyes first means you can wipe away any fallout under the eyes without disturbing your base. Then apply foundation and concealer.
Can I buy Thin Lizzy eyeshadow in stores?
Yes. Thin Lizzy is available at Farmers, Life Pharmacy, Chemist Warehouse and Unichem stores across New Zealand. The range can vary by store, so the easiest way to get the full range, bundles and online deals is to shop online. See our FAQ page for stockist details.
Looking for a deal? Many of our best sellers are available in bundle offers from time to time. See our current Bundle Offers →
Final Thoughts
Great eyeshadow comes down to a good base, the right finishes for your lids and patient blending. Start with soft mattes, add a touch of light in the centre and build colour slowly, and you'll have a polished look every time.
