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It’s the absolute worst: just when you’ve mastered the art of creating an eyeshadow look using all four shades in your palette and are looking your most glam, you check yourself in the mirror a few hours later to find your eyeshadow is a sludgy, smudgy mess. Nothing can destroy your look faster than oily eyelids, which prevent even the most luxurious and quality shadow shades from staying in place or appearing their pigmented best. Unfortunately, while we’re using the ideal skincare products for every part of our faces, we often neglect our lids.
“Rarely do women find that their eyelids are too dry–if anything, they’re oily, and can contain more oil than the ever-feared T-zone,” says Sarah Mohamed, bridal makeup artist at Blushing Brides Boston. “Applying your moisturizer too heavily around the eye area can, in fact, increase wrinkles, because too much product adds weight, and too much weight equals lines and wrinkles. Talk to your dermatologist about what moisturizer and/or skin care routine they think is best for you.”
Great skincare advice, but what should we do in the short-term to prevent oily eyelids from ruining our makeup? Good news: you probably already have Mohamed’s preferred anti-oil tool in your medicine cabinet.
“My go-to for oily eyelids is baby powder,” Mohamed says. “Powder absorbs oil, so it’s the perfect matte before your primer. After you’ve completed your usual skin care routine (face wash, moisturizer, etc.), wait 2-3 minutes for your skin to settle. Sprinkle a very small amount of powder onto the back of your hand. Dip a Q-tip into the powder, tap it lightly to prevent excess powder, then dab the powder-dipped Q-tip onto your eyelid. You can do this with your finger too, if you happen to be out of Q-tips. You’ll know you’ve applied too much powder if it creates its own crease-like appearance on the lid. Apply it from your brow to the base of your lash line. The oils on your eyelid will set and absorb any excess oil that may be on your eyelids.”
The second and final prep step toward achieving perfect eye makeup involves using an eyeshadow primer like Urban Decay’s Eyeshadow Primer Potion, which serves as a smooth matte base, increases the longevity of your shadow and can even help the most lackluster shades appear more vibrant. “I generally recommend applying it with a smaller sized foundation brush,” Mohamed says. Finally, apply your eyeshadow and liner and wait 12 hours so you can marvel at how marvelous it still looks.
So long, oily eyelids!
For more beauty tips and advice, check out 3 stunning eyeshadow looks that aren’t a smokey eye and are expensive eyeshadow is really any better than the cheap stuff?
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[Photo: Imaxtree]
