How to Rock a Glossy Eye Makeup Look

Along with colored eyeliner and metallic statement eye makeup comes another look that has resurfaced in popularity recently—we’re talking about glossy lids. Shiny, wet-looking eye makeup is the product of precision eye shadow application and a whole lot of patience. While glossy eye makeup has made its mark on fashion runways, that doesn’t mean that you can’t give this trend a test-drive yourself. The good news is, glossy lids are pretty easy to achieve.

Wondering how to do it? You don’t need a pro MUA on hand. It’s totally doable right at home! Below, we share step-by-step instructions for creating a gorgeous glossy lid.

3 Steps to the Perfect Glossy Eye Makeup Look

Just like other statement eye looks, it may take a bit of time to master your glossy lids technique—but the more you practice, the easier it’ll become. Ready to get started? Follow our tutorial below!

Get the look by following these simple steps:

Step 1: Prime your eyelids. The best way to start any eye makeup look is by priming your lids. An eye primer can help create a smooth canvas for the rest of your eye makeup application. If you don’t have eye primer on hand, simply dab a dot of concealer, like one of the hues in the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Total Cover Concealing and Contour Kit, in the center of your lids for a similar effect.

Step 2: Apply your eye shadow. Depending on the glossy eye makeup look you’re going for, you have the option to choose between cream and powder shadows, as well as matte and shiny finishes. Since glossy eyes are all about looking extra-shiny, consider starting off with a creamy, iridescent shadow, like the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Paints Eye Shadow in Cool Ivory.

If you’re more of a powder shadow kind of gal, reach for the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Paints Metallics Eye Shadow, as the metallic finish can help amp up the high-shine demeanor of your stylish statement eye. If you choose to go for something else entirely, like a matte eye shadow, just remember that when it’s topped off with gloss, it may end up appearing darker than it did when you first applied it.

Step 3: Gloss it up. Now, before you go running in the opposite direction, hear us out. To get the coveted glossy eye, you’re going to need a tube of clear lip gloss. Wait, what? Yep, you heard us right! To get those glossy lids, use a lightweight eye shadow brush to apply the lip gloss over the top of your eye shadow of choice to help add the sheen that you’ve been trying to create. When doing this, make sure not to layer too much on at a time—a little gloss goes a long way!

And there you have it! From there, you can layer on some volumizing mascara (like the L’Oréal Paris Voluminous Lash Paradise Mascara) or keep it simple and glossy. Before heading out for the day, toss your eye shadow, lip gloss, and application brush in your purse, as you may need to touch up your look during the day. You may experience some slipping, sliding, and creasing thanks to the gloss—but a quick fix is all it’ll take to perfect your glossy lids once again.

How to Remove Your Glossy Eye Makeup Look

After you’re done showing off your statement eye, remove it all at the end of the day with micellar water, a no-rinse cleansing option. Micellar water is powered by tiny micelles—oil molecules—that act as a magnet to lift dirt, oils, and makeup up and away from the skin. Keep a bottle of the L’Oréal Paris Micellar Cleansing Water Complete Cleanser for All Skin Types and a pack of cotton rounds stashed on your vanity for easy access. Simply pour some of the micellar water onto a cotton round and hold it over closed for a few seconds to help lift your eye makeup.