The Right Way to Wear Matte Eyeshadow

The Right Way to Wear Matte Eyeshadow

When the matte lip trend first emerged, we were a bit skeptical. We had grown close with our collection of glosses, lacquers and balms and were reluctant to consider another option – especially one that had the potential to make our lips look parched and flaky.  But we gave it a chance – and we’re so glad we did (a matte red lip has become a staple for our Friday night outings). So when we first heard about the resurgence of matte eyeshadow, we pushed our doubts aside (“It’s boring!” “Why go matte when you can have shimmer or sparkle?” “It’ll make us look like grandmas!”) and asked makeup artist Jessica Scantlin to give it a whirl. She created two completely different, wearable, totally-opposite-of-grandma looks – and we have to say, we’re kind of in love. Read on for directions…

Light

1.) Scantlin first created a smooth base for the look by applying a foundation over your face with a beauty sponge  (we love Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation).

2.) Scantlin created soft frames for this matte look by using Kevin Auicon The Precision Brow Pencil.

3.) Now onto the eyes! Scantlin dusted a matte white eyeshadow from model Amy’s lash line up to her crease. Then, taking a matte taupe shadow, she created a V-shape from the outside of the eye and blended it halfway into Amy’s crease along the socket.

4.) To accentuate the eye shape, Scantlin blended the matte white shadow along the lash line with a thin eyeshadow brush and blended.

5.) Back to taupe – Scantlin took the matte taupe shadow and lined the lower lash line with it.

6.) She finished off this gorgeous, natural matte eyeshadow look with a swipe of lengthening mascara likeMaybelline Volum’ Express The Falsies.

7.) To keep the look simple and light, Scantlin lined Amy’s lips with a nude liner and filled them in with The Body Shop Colour Crush Lipstick in Dare to Bare.

Dramatic

1.) For those of you who like your eyeshadow a bit more dramatic, we’ve got you covered.  Building on the look above, Scantlin took a dark brown matte eyeshadow, swept it along Amy’s lower lash line and blended it out with a flat eyeliner brush.

2.) Using the same color, she applied it to the upper inner corner of each eye, extending and blending it along the crease.

3.) Scantlin took The Body Shop Colour Crush Eyeshadow in Chocolate Linger, a light brown matte shadow, and blended it all along the lid and the lower lash line.

4.) To finish off this sultry look, Scantlin applied Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil in Black Marketalone Amy’s bottom and upper waterline. For extra oomph, she traced a thin line along her upper lid to give a smoky effect.

And there you have it – two fun, modern ways to wear matte eyeshadow!