A few coats of mascara are all you really need to appear awake and aware — and to walk out the door. For a more polished look, add a quick sweep of eye shadow. Multiple colors can be fun, but you can work wonders with just one.

Basic: Mascara

Application 101

With a tissue, blot any excess mascara from the wand tip.

Hold the wand vertically and brush gently back and forth along the tips of the lashes to separate them.

Starting at the outer corner of the eye, position the wand horizontally and the base of the lashes, wiggle a little to secure its hold, and sweep upward to the tips. Repeat as you move in. It's a natural tendency to move from the inside out, but in fact moving the brush outward in will apply the most mascara at the outer corner, where lashes are the longest and need more color.

Pitfalls to Avoid

Beware of the wand tip, which can glue lashes together with excess color.

Don't apply mascara to the lower lashes.

Boost: Eye Shadow

Application 101

Run a shadow brush (or a cotton swab) over the shadow. Tap off the excess and apply the color from the lash line to just slightly above the crease.

Blend the color on the rest of the lid, brushing horizontally.

Make sure the color fades as it moves toward the inner corner of the eye, so that the shadow creates contour.

For a more dramatic look, lightly sweep the same color under the bottom lashes, one-third of the way in from the outside corner of the eye.

Pitfalls to Avoid

If you're using just one color, don't apply it to the brow bone. Working with two or more? Apply only the lightest shade to this area.