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  1. Real Simple
  2. Style
  3. Makeup
  4. Eye Makeup
  5. Easy, Elegant Eye Makeup Looks for Day and Evening

Easy, Elegant Eye Makeup Looks for Day and Evening

Real Simple Author
By Real Simple Editors Updated March 04, 2015
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Model wearing metallic eye shadow
Credit: Charles Masters
Play up your eyes and you'll ensure everyone else's will be on you. Try these smart how-tos for eye shadow, mascara, pencils, and more in a gallery of dazzling makeup looks.
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Prep Step

Woman with eyeshadow for close-set eyes
Credit: Paul Sunday

To keep makeup on longer, prep the lids with a concealer or primer before applying shadow.

Puffy eyes? A quick video demonstrates the best way to soothe them: How To: Treat Puffy Eyes.

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Perk Up Tired Eyes

Woman with glowing skin
Credit: Susie Cushner

Disguise tired-looking eyes with a liquid light-reflecting concealer that brightens and lifts the under-eye area.

A how-to video shows a quick way to cover up under-eye circles: How To: Conceal Under Eye Circles.

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Mascara Trick

Woman applying mascara
Credit: Hallie Burton

When applying mascara, wiggle the wand back and forth at the lash base. It’s the mascara near the roots―not the tips―that gives the illusion of length.

Four classic mascaras get high marks from readers. Find out which: Classic Mascara Favorites.

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The Mascara for Everyone

Woman smiling
Credit: Lucas Allen

No matter what your hair color, black mascara is flattering. It defines your eyes and makes you appear more wide awake.

See how to apply makeup in minutes: How To: Apply Makeup in 5 Minutes.

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Lush Lashes

Woman wearing false eyelashes
Credit: Lucas Allen

For high-impact, lush lashes, supplement your own with falsies. Use individual false lashes―they're more natural-looking than a full fringe.

Get the how-tos here: 5 Updated Evening Makeup Looks.

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Bolder Brows

Woman defining eyebrows with eye pencil
Credit: Marili Forastieri

Fill in sparse brows with a wax-based pencil that matches your brow hairs. Use short, light strokes.

Learn how to fix other eyebrow issues: How to Solve 5 Eyebrow Problems.

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Low-Key Day Look

Woman with shimmer eye makeup
Credit: Bill Phelps

For the most casual daywear, ditch the liner and sweep on taupe eye shadow with a few coats of dark mascara.

Which new mascaras are the best? See the results of a Real Simple Road Test: The Best Mascaras.

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Showcase Eyes

Woman wearing eye shadow
Credit: Mark Platt

Make your eyes pop by sweeping on a dark shadow where the brow bone meets the crease.

For full how-tos, click here: Eye Shadow 101.


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Shadow Tip

Matte eye shadow
Credit: Paul Sunday

Matte eye powder has a classic texture that works well on any skin type, so it’s especially good for beginners.

Find four neutral shadows that work with almost all skin tones: Foolproof Everyday Eye Shadows.

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Simple Shadow How-To

Woman wearing eye makeup
Credit: Mark Platt

For a simple look, run a slanted brush (or a Q-tip) over shadow, then apply in a fine line along the upper lash line.

Get more eye-shadow tips here: Eye Shadow 101.


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Best for Blue Eyes

Blue-eyed woman wearing eye makeup
Credit: Paul Sunday

Rich brown eyeliners best complement blue eyes because their warm hues emphasize subtle gold specs in the iris.

Add a great makeup pencil to your beauty arsenal: The Best Makeup Pencils.

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Shadow Technique

Woman's hazel eye with eye shadow
Credit: Mark Platt

When using only one eye shadow, layer it more heavily around the lash line, then softly blend it so that it fades naturally at the crease.

Which makeup basics should you own? Find out: Makeup Essentials Checklist.


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For Deep-Set Eyes

Natural eye makeup
Credit: Paul Sunday

Bring out deep-set eyes by applying a light, neutral shadow under the brow bone and at the inner corner of the eye. Line the upper lashes with dark shadow.

Watch a demonstration of how to put on eyeliner: How To: Apply Eyeliner.


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For Smaller Eyes

Gold eye makeup
Credit: Paul Sunday

Small eyes with uncreased lids call for an arc of medium-toned color on the lids, blended with a sweep of a brush.

Find out how to treat three common eye problems: 3 Eye Problems, Fixed.

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For Thin Lids

Woman with eyeshadow for heavy-lidded eyes
Credit: Paul Sunday

For thin lids, apply a lighter shade at the eye’s corner before adding a deeper color to dramatize the eye.

Find your perfect shadow shade: The Best Eye Shadow Shade for You.

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For Close-Set Eyes

Eye shadow for close-set eyes
Credit: Paul Sunday

Use a dark shadow on the outermost quarter of the lid and to line the upper lashes to make close-set eyes appear farther apart.

What's the proper way to apply eye shadow? See the five easy steps: How To: Apply Eye Shadow.

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Shades of Purple

Woman wearing eyeshadow
Credit: Paul Sunday

A striking lavender or deep purple shadow can really highlight the eyes. For liners, choose colors―like soft golds and pinks―that mix well with purple.

Play with your makeup: Turn a shade you wouldn't use into a shadow you like: Make Over Your Makeup.

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Open Your Eyes

Dark eye makeup
Credit: Paul Sunday

A dark shadow applied to the creases and outer corners of the eyes will make them seem rounder and more open.

Get more makeup fundamentals here: Makeup Basics.


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Think Pink

Woman wearing pink eye makeup
Credit: Amy Neunsinger

A sweep of feminine pink shadow over the lids gives you fresh, healthy color. Give the look a little edge by lining the lashes with a dark pencil.

For more on look-good pink makeup, click here: Flattering Pink Makeup.

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The Smoky Eye

A woman's face
Credit: Paul Sunday

The perpetually popular smoky eye starts with eyeliner, applied in heavy strokes, then blended.

Learn the three easy steps to a smoky-eye look: Creating a Smoky Look with Eyeliner.


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Chicly Understated

Woman wearing shimmery eye makeup
Credit: Craig Cutler

Party-ready eyes don’t have to call for dark colors. Instead, create a chic look with a shimmery taupe cream shadow and two coats of mascara.

See the details here: 3 Ways to Dress Up Your Eyes.

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Nighttime Drama

Woman wearing smoky eye makeup
Credit: Craig Cutler

This full-on evening palette calls for shadow in a rich, subtle pewter color, brushed on the lids, then used as a liner as well.

Read the two easy steps to this look: 3 Ways to Dress Up Your Eyes.

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    1 of 22 Prep Step
    2 of 22 Perk Up Tired Eyes
    3 of 22 Mascara Trick
    4 of 22 The Mascara for Everyone
    5 of 22 Lush Lashes
    6 of 22 Bolder Brows
    7 of 22 Low-Key Day Look
    8 of 22 Showcase Eyes
    9 of 22 Shadow Tip
    10 of 22 Simple Shadow How-To
    11 of 22 Best for Blue Eyes
    12 of 22 Shadow Technique
    13 of 22 For Deep-Set Eyes
    14 of 22 For Smaller Eyes
    15 of 22 For Thin Lids
    16 of 22 For Close-Set Eyes
    17 of 22 Shades of Purple
    18 of 22 Open Your Eyes
    19 of 22 Think Pink
    20 of 22 The Smoky Eye
    21 of 22 Chicly Understated
    22 of 22 Nighttime Drama

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