How to Pull Off Bright Eye Makeup

It may be a no-brainer that you’d want to wear bright makeup, but how to do it is another story. You’re likely used to quickly brushing on neutral eye shadows and swiping black eyeliner along your lash line—it might even be second nature to you at this point—but adding fun eye makeup shades into the mix changes things. Of course, we wouldn’t want that to scare you away from trying out bright eyeshadow looks. It really isn’t so different from using the everyday colors you’ve come to love. With just a few tips, anyone can apply—and pull off—a bright eye makeup look. Get all our best tips, below.

BRIGHT EYE MAKEUP TIP #1: WEAR A SINGLE SHADE

Blending various shades of eye shadow together can no doubt be beautiful, but when you’re working with neon or bright colors, it isn’t necessary. One is enough! Using a single bright shade is not only a major makeup trend, but it’s easier than messing with multiple hues. Simply apply a bright eye shadow of your choosing, like the L’Oréal Paris Infallible 24 HR Eye Shadow in Glistening Garnet, to your lids, then use a clean brush to soften any harsh lines.

BRIGHT EYE MAKEUP TIP #2: SMUDGE SHADOW ALONG YOUR LOWER LASHES

When it comes to wearing bright eye shadows, you aren’t limited to a wash of color on your eyelids. For a pop of unexpected color, keep your upper lash line bare and bring the brightness downward, placing the shadow along your lower lash line instead. Using a small eye brush (or a cotton swab in a pinch), smudge a colorful eye shadow (we love the L’Oréal Paris Infallible 24 HR Eye Shadow in Endless Sea and Eternal Sunshine, to give you a few options) against your lashes.

BRIGHT EYE MAKEUP TIP #3: FIGHT FALLOUT

Unless you want hot pink or neon green eye shadow sprinkled over your entire under-eye area (not a super-flattering makeup look), you’d be advised to try and steer clear of eye shadow fallout. While it isn’t always totally avoidable, there are a few steps you can take to help. The most important rule in fending off fallout is to tap excess eye shadow off your brushes before using them, that way there’s less “dust” to fall under your eyes.

You can also save your face makeup for last, which allows you to use the L’Oréal Paris Micellar Cleansing Water Complete Cleanser Waterproof – All Skin Types to wipe away anything that’s fallen without ruining your concealer. Or, if you prefer to do foundation and concealer first, apply a thick layer of the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Pro Sweep & Lock Loose Setting Face Powder under your eyes before applying any eye shadow. Once you’re finished with your eye shadow, you can simply take a makeup brush and sweep away the setting powder, removing fallout at the same time.

BRIGHT EYE MAKEUP TIP #4: CREATE A NEON CAT EYE

Let’s not forget, eyeliner comes in bright colors, too. In fact, using a neon or bright eyeliner is one of the best ways to update your classic cat eye. Keep your eye shadow simple—or don’t wear any at all—and apply your eyeliner just as you normally would, adding a wing at the end. The only difference is you’ll be using a bold shade instead of your basic black. If you’re partial to pencils, try the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Pro-Last Waterproof, Up to 24HR Pencil Eyeliner in Purple or Cobalt Blue. If you’d prefer a liquid option, try the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Paints Eyeliner in Vivid Aqua or Intrepid Teal.

Editor’s tip: Need a refresher on how exactly to wing out your eyeliner? Check out our article, Wing It: Learn How to Do Cat Eye Makeup with Our 6 Expert Tips.

BRIGHT EYE MAKEUP TIP #5: ALWAYS PRIME YOUR EYES

Of course, you’ll want your look to last. Beyond that, you’ll also want your eye makeup to be as bright as it can be. Both of those facts should lead you to the same place—that you’re in need of an eye primer. Rather than using a sheer or flesh-toned one, try a white primer. Your makeup will stay put, plus, when you use a white base, your neon eye shadows or eyeliners will stand out even more.

BRIGHT EYE MAKEUP TIP #6: WET YOUR BRUSH

Looking for a way to add some vibrancy to powder eye shadows? All you need to do is get your makeup brush damp before dipping it into the eye shadow. Voila, you’ll get a bold, foiled effect when you apply the shadow!

BRIGHT EYE MAKEUP TIP #7: PAIR WITH DRAMATIC LASHES

No matter what colors are coating your lids, full lashes are always a good idea. For more voluminous-looking lashes, tightline your eyes with a black eyeliner and then follow with a dramatic mascara, like the L’Oréal Paris Unlimited Lash Lifting and Lengthening Washable Mascara.

BRIGHT EYE MAKEUP TIP #8: KEEP THE REST OF YOUR LOOK NEUTRAL

When you’re sporting show-stopping eye shadow or eye-catching eyeliner, you won’t want your face makeup or lip color to steal the show. Since not every aspect of your makeup look needs to be bright, keep everything but your eyes neutral. That means wearing a sheer blush and a nude lipstick, like the L’Oréal Paris Rouge Signature, Lasting Matte Liquid Lipstick in I Empower.

Wondering what to do with your hair color? If you like the idea of being matchy-matchy, find out How to Get Kaleidoscope Hair.