3 Stunning Nude Eyeshadow Looks That Are Anything But Basic

Nude eyeshadow can feel boring, but when you know how versatile it can be, it’s easily the best-kept secret in your makeup bag. It’s perfect for daytime or office makeup and serves as the perfect base color or transitional shade for any eye look. 

Plus, nude eyeshadows are part of the shimmery and glittery shades that are perfect for wedding makeup and soft glam looks. So if you’re ready to embrace nude eyeshadow’s versatility, keep reading to learn how to do three gorgeous nude eyeshadow looks that are anything but boring.

The Nude Smokey Eye

When it comes to nude eyeshadow, the nude smokey eye is one of the first looks that come to mind. Similar to the classic smokey eye, the nude version takes a more monochromatic look while providing just as much definition and allure as its darker counterpart. 

For a nude smokey eye, you’re going to need to get your hands on a dark shade to define, a medium shade to blend and a light shade to highlight. So reach for an eyeshadow palette like the L’Oréal Paris La Colour Riche La Palette Nude to make things easy and follow the steps below. 

1. Start With an Eye Primer

To ensure that your eyeshadow stays in place once you inevitably perfect it, you want to start things off by applying an eyeshadow primer all over the lid.

Editor’s tip: If you don’t have primer, prime your lids with some concealer or foundation and set  with a light dusting of powder.

2. Create Your Base

Use an eyeshadow brush to sweep the palette’s medium nude shade across your entire eyelid.

3. Define Your Crease

Next, pick up the darker shade with a fluffy crease brush. Place the eyeshadow in your crease, starting at the outer corner and working your way in. The color should be most concentrated at the edge of your eye, fading as you get further into your crease. If you go too heavy towards the inner corner of your eye, you might actually make your eyes look smaller. Don’t forget to blend to avoid harsh lines.

4. Highlight Your Brow Bone

The perfect highlight application can instantly give the appearance of lifted brows and brighter-looking eyes. To get the look, use an eyeshadow brush to press your lightest eyeshadow shade under the tail end of your eyebrow. Blend it out so that it mimics the way the light hits your brow bone.

Editor’s tip: For a little bit of glow, use a shimmery shade to highlight your brow bone, like the L’Oréal Paris Infallible 24 HR Eye Shadow in Endless Pearl. The bonus is it works great for highlighting in the inner corner, too.

5. Add Eyeliner

No smokey eye is complete without eyeliner. Opt for black liner at night, but if you’re rocking a daytime, nude smokey eye, try the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Grip Precision Felt Waterproof Eyeliner which also comes in shades of brown and gray for a softer look. 

Draw a thin line with a little flick to help add a touch of definition to your lash line without stealing the show from your perfectly blended eyeshadow. If you want to add eyeliner to your waterline, reach for a waterproof, smudgeproof option like the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Pro-Last Waterproof, Up to 24HR Pencil Eyeliner which also comes in a variety of shades.

6. Define Your Lashes

All that’s left to complete your nude, smokey eye is a little volumizing mascara like the L’Oréal Paris Voluminous Lash Paradise Waterproof Mascara. Sweep a couple of coats onto your lashes or throw on a pair of false lashes to add some extra glam to your nude, smokey eye.

Nude Eyeshadow with a Pop of Color

When you think nude, the last thing you imagine is a pop of color, but a well-placed nude shadow can actually complement and amp up your more colorful shadows. Plus, adding a pop of color can complement your eye color and it’s a great way to casually rock nude eyeshadow. We know you’re curious, so let’s get into it.

1. Start With an Eye Primer

Prime your eyelids with primer or concealer and setting powder to prep them for your eye makeup to ensure your look lasts throughout the day.

2. Create your base

Grab the L'Oréal Paris Colour Riche Pocket Palette Eye Shadow in Bleu Nuit and swipe the nude shade across your eyelids. The nude shadow will neutralize the color of your eyelid, helping to hide any veins or discolorations — while allowing your colorful eyeshadow to show up more vibrantly once applied. No need to use three or four shades to create your base color, reach for one shade to keep it quick and minimal.

Editor’s tip: If you’re looking for your perfect nude eyeshadow shade, grab your bronzer. A matte bronzer like the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Up to 24H Fresh Wear Soft Matte Bronzer in your skin’s shade is the perfect canvas for neutral eye looks.

3. Add a Pop of Color

There are lots of options when it comes to adding a pop of color to your nude eyeshadow look. Maybe you want to add a colored accent, use eyeshadow to create a pastel colored cateye or even use eyeliner in the waterline to add some color. The Colour Riche Pocket Palette Eye Shadow in Bleu Nuit comes with three blue shades, perfect for adding color to your look and the purple shade, Violet Amour, is a great complement for brown eyes. If you want to use eyeliner to add a bit of color, reach for the Infallible Pro-Last Waterproof, Up to 24HR Pencil Eyeliner that comes in shades like burgundy, aubergine and cobalt blue.

4. Define Your Lashes

We know that no makeup look is complete without mascara so reach for a black mascara like the L’Oréal Paris Voluminous Noir Balm Washable Mascara to add drama to your lashes and complement the intensity of your colorful eyeshadow.

Editor’s tip: A light layer of nude eyeshadow, a small cateye and a coat of mascara is an easy and chic way to wear casual eyeshadow for any occasion.

The Negative Space Cut Crease

While the nude smokey eye is a total classic that’s perfect for daytime, the negative space cut crease is an eye-catching makeup look that’s perfect for a night out. While the star of the show with this look is definitely your eyeliner, nude eyeshadow comes in handy, creating contrast and emphasizing a super-sharp cut crease.

For a negative cut crease, you’ll definitely want a long-lasting eyeliner on hand like the Infallible Grip Precision Felt Waterproof Eyeliner to create the shape. Plus, a nude eyeshadow to create contrast like the L’Oréal Paris Colour Riche Monos Eyeshadow in Matte Chill or Matte It Up. 

1. Apply Your Base Color

After you prime your lids, swipe a nude eyeshadow across your eyelids like the L’Oréal Paris Colour Riche Monos Eyeshadow in Matte Chill or Matte It Up to create a canvas for your negative space cut crease.

2. Create the Cut Crease

Next, you’ll want to create the cut crease with a liquid eyeliner like the Infallible Grip Precision Felt Waterproof Eyeliner. Start in the inner corner and create a thin line along the crease of your eye until you reach the outer corner. Once you create the line, go back over it to make it thicker and fix any imperfections.

3. Draw the Wing

Once you’ve created the perfect crease, you’ll want to add a wing to the lash line. Start at the inner corner and drag the liquid liner across your lash line, creating a wing when you get to the outer corner. Once you’ve completed the wing, connect it with the cut crease you just created.

4. Define Your Lashes

No look is complete without a few coats of mascara so reach for the Voluminous Lash Paradise Waterproof Mascara to add some volume to your lashes.

Next: 7 Unconventional Ways to Use a Nude Eyeliner

Edited by: Reece Andavolgyi, Photo by: Jasmine, IG @/jasadetunji, Design by: Crystal Simone