Mineral eyeshadow is gaining popularity due to its few, natural ingredients, and the many colors and shades available. However, many women aren't sure how to apply this loose powder eyeshadow to achieve the looks they want. With a few eye makeup techniques and the right eyeshadow brushes, mineral eyeshadow application is easy and exciting. A pretty but subdued daytime look is easy to achieve, and with a few simple technique changes, the same colors can be made to look brighter and bolder, too.
Here are some eyeshadow application tips for mineral makeup.
Choosing Mineral Eyeshadow
Mineral eyeshadow is now available in drugstores and department stores, and an even bigger selection can be found online. Many brands offer both flat, matte shades, and sparkly ones, too. Often, there may even be options for the color of the sparkles, such as a blue with gold or silver sparkles. The variety of mineral eyeshadow colors allows for creating very personal, customized eye makeup looks.
Here are a few brands of mineral eyeshadow to check out:
- Bare Minerals (increasingly available in drugstores)
- Pur Minerals (available in drugstores)
- Pink Quartz Minerals (available online on etsy)
- Aromaleigh (available online)
Eyeshadow Brushes
Sponge-tip eyeshadow brushes work okay, but for the best eyeshadow application, invest in three key eyeshadow brushes.
- Smudge Brush - This is a flat brush that may appear a bit rounded. These brushes are perfect for eyeshadow application over the whole lid.
- Angle Brush - Just as the name implies, the hairs on this brush form an angle. This brush can double as a crease brush and can soften liner.
- Eyeliner Brush - Mineral eyeshadow can also be used as eyeliner using one of these small, pointed brushes.
Mineral Eyeshadow Application
The main rule for mineral makeup is that it must have something to stick to, and this applies to mineral eyeshadow as well as foundation and blush. Apply a primer for softer daytime looks, or apply the same colors wet for a bolder, highly-pigmented look for the evening.
To create a daytime look:
- Apply an eye makeup primer to the lid.
- Gently shake a small amount of mineral eyeshadow into the lid of its container. Swish an eyeshadow brush in the powder. Tap the handle on the edge of the lid so that any excess eyeshadow falls back into it.
- Apply the color the the lid just the same as using normal eyeshadow.
To create a bright eyeshadow or evening look:
- Gently dampen the makeup brushes with water or Visine. Run the bristles across the back of the hand a few times to evenly distribute the moisture.
- Tap a small amount of mineral eyeshadow into the lid of its container. Press the brush into the powder and swirl it in the lid a bit.
- Apply the eyeshadow to the lids as desired.
To wear mineral eyeshadow as eyeliner:
- Gently dampen an eyeliner brush.
- Put a small amount of eyeshadow in its container's lid. Gently swirl the brush in the lid, picking up some eyeshadow in the bristles.
- Carefully and slowly line the eyes with the brush. Pick up additional eyeshadow with the brush as needed.
Once the eyeshadow has been applied, gently wipe any excess pigment from the cheeks. Then, apply mineral foundation and blush to complete the look.
Mineral eyeshadow can be a lot of fun to experiment with because so many colors, shades, and tones are available. Combing these colors using wet or dry eye makeup techniques can create endless looks.
Jennifer Thorimbert - Jennifer grew up in small-town British Columbia, Canada, and moved to Victoria, BC, to attend university. She majored in English ...
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