8 Hacks to Help Prevent Eye Shadow Fallout

Picture this: You’re sitting in front of your vanity, perfecting your two-toned smoky eye only to sit back and notice how some of your darkly-pigmented eye shadow has landed on your cheeks. We’ve all been there, and we all know what comes next. You try to wipe away the fallout only to transform your chic makeup look into that of something like a football player preparing to tackle. Since we know dark under eye smudges probably aren’t what you’re trying to achieve, we rounded up eight eye shadow hacks to help prevent eye makeup fallout. Grab your makeup bag and follow along using the L’Oréal Paris Colour Riche Monos Eyeshadow or L’Oréal Paris Infallible Paints Metallics Eye Shadow.

Eye Shadow Hack #1: Use an Eye Primer

One of the best ways to help prevent eye shadow fallout is to prime your lids before application. Not only can a quick dab of primer help keep your shadow from straying, it can also help your eye makeup wear more evenly throughout the day. If you don’t have eye primer on hand, you can use concealer instead. Apply a little bit of the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Pro Glow Concealer to your lids, then blend it in with your finger.

Eye Shadow Hack #2: Apply Eye Shadow First

If you’re worried about fallout ruining your perfectly applied face makeup, one simple solution is to apply your eye shadow first so that there’s no chance of it ruining the rest of your makeup. If eye shadow lands on your bare cheek, it’ll be less likely to smudge when you try to wipe it away—and you can cover it up with foundation, anyways.

Eye Shadow Hack #3: Tap Off Excess Shadow

Depending on the type of eye shadow you use, you might find that some textures are more prone to fallout (we’re looking at you, shimmery metallics) than others. Just make sure to dust off any excess from your makeup brush so that you have only enough pigment for your lids.

Eye Shadow Hack #4: Use Eye Masks

Want to pamper yourself while helping to prevent eye shadow fallout? Place eye masks underneath your eyes and apply your eye shadow as you normally would. Any fallout will land on the masks so you’ll be able to easily toss them once you’re done with your makeup application.

Eye Shadow Hack #5: Bake Your Makeup

It’s time to give the makeup baking trend. Before applying eye shadow, coat your under eye area with a generous amount of concealer in an upside-down triangle shape and top it off with translucent powder. While your concealer and powder sets, apply your eye shadow. Any fallout will land on the concealer, so you can easily wipe it away without leaving any streaks behind.

Eye Shadow Hack #6: Brush Away Fallout with a Fan Brush

Makeup brushes can be used for more than just applying eye shadow. Stock your makeup bag with a loosely-packed fan brush so that you can easily sweep away any eye shadow fallout.

Eye Shadow Hack #7: Use Cream Eye Shadows

Most often, eye shadow fallout happens with powder formulas. So, consider using a cream formula instead. Try the dual-ended L’Oréal Paris Infallible Paints Eye Shadow instead.

Eye Shadow Hack #8: Use a Setting Spray

Last but not least, just because you clean up fallout during your makeup routine doesn’t mean that further fallout isn’t possible. To help prevent the possibility of more fallout, finish your makeup look with a quick spritz of the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Pro-Spray & Set Makeup Extender Setting Spray. All you have to do is hold it 8-10” away from your face and spritz in an “X” and “T” motion.

Now it’s time to put your new eye makeup know-how to good use! For more eye shadow tips, check out our article, 10 Daring Eye Makeup Trends You Need to Try This Year.