Easy, Elegant Eye Makeup Looks for Day and Evening

By Real Simple
Updated March 04, 2015
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.
Start Slideshow

1 of 22

Prep Step

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.

Advertisement
Advertisement

2 of 22

Perk Up Tired Eyes

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.

3 of 22

Mascara Trick

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.

Advertisement

4 of 22

The Mascara for Everyone

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.

5 of 22

Lush Lashes

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.

6 of 22

Bolder Brows

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.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

7 of 22

Low-Key Day Look

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.

8 of 22

Showcase Eyes

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.


9 of 22

Shadow Tip

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.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

10 of 22

Simple Shadow How-To

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.


11 of 22

Best for Blue Eyes

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.

12 of 22

Shadow Technique

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.


Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

13 of 22

For Deep-Set Eyes

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.


14 of 22

For Smaller Eyes

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.

15 of 22

For Thin Lids

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.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

16 of 22

For Close-Set Eyes

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.

17 of 22

Shades of Purple

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.

18 of 22

Open Your Eyes

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.


Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

19 of 22

Think Pink

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.

20 of 22

The Smoky Eye

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.


21 of 22

Chicly Understated

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.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

22 of 22

Nighttime Drama

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.

Replay gallery

Share the Gallery

Up Next

By Real Simple