How to Blend Your Eyeshadow, According to Your Eye Shape

TIP #1: Blend, Blend and Blend Some More

The first rule of blending eyeshadow is to do exactly that: blend, blend, blend. A contouring eyeshadow brush is best for this, as you can get a  better blend by swirling the tip of the brush in a circular motion into the crease of the lid. To avoid over-blending, however, the key is to blend enough so there are no harsh lines but not so much that the colors don’t become one muddy hue.

TIP #2: Transition Shades Are Key

When applying shadows, it’s important to start by placing a transition color in your crease and building from there. This will create that seamless, blended effect without a harsh stop. Your transition shade is also an opportunity to define your crease, which gives your eyes shape and supports your overall eyeshadow look. When picking a color, choose a neutral, matte shadow that’s a few shades deeper than your skin tone. Still need help find a color that’s right for you? Try the Maybelline New York Nudes of New York Eyeshadow Palette, a 16-pan palette filled with must-have neutrals you’ll reach for time and time again.

TIP #3: Type and Texture

Eyeshadows have many types of finishes and textures and there are unique blending techniques for each. If your eyeshadow has a frosty finish, limit it to the lid only and blend with a flat shadow brush for more impact. If it's shimmery, blend in the crease only. For cream eyeshadow, you can be more liberal with the blending, especially if the hue is a natural one. Blend with your finger starting on the lid, all the way up the brow bone.

TIP #4: Determine Your Eye Shape

Different eye shapes call for different blending techniques, so don’t despair if your fave beauty lover’s eyeshadow tutorial didn’t work for you. Almond-shaped eyes may be able go crazy in their crease while people with hooded lids have to do a little more work to ensure their eyeshadow looks are visible when their eyes are open.

Need to see it in action? Watch our fave tutorials, ahead:

Large Lids

Beauty YouTuber Laura Lee shows you exactly how to blend in this detailed eyeshadow tutorial. While she has plenty of lid space to work with and a well-defined crease, her tips can be applied to almost every eye shape, especially round or almond.

Hooded Eyes

For those with hooded eyes, things get a little trickier. Your eyes tend to fold at the crease, which can make blending more difficult. Luckily, vlogger Nikkia Joy is helping you figure it out in this tutorial.

Monolids

If you have monolids, blending your shadow can take a little more finesse. While the basic technique is still the same, you don’t have a double crease as your guide. In this video from Hana Lee, she demonstrates how to create five eye looks on monolids.