It takes practice. At least, that’s how it was for me when it came to learning how to apply eye makeup. If you know the fundamentals of creative art — i.e. colour charts, lights and shadows — a large dose of imagination (cuz it helps a lot if you can picture the “eye makeup” in your head) plus, like I said, practice, you can successfully put on decent eye makeup. You know your face best, anyway.

And now that I do know how to do it, I’m now obsessed. Constantly trying different looks but would always revert back to my standard look esp when I’m in a hurry. I used to spend half an hour on eye makeup alone. Thank God for the the Australia trip, which taught me how to put on makeup in a flash, er, faster that I used to.

Theory is, the reason why I go back to the usual is that my shade preference often leans toward the more earthy hues, particularly brown/taupes or greens. Though, I did use to wear lilacs, lavanders and purples but that’s just about it (and that was years ago). I’ve made a resolution to keep my mind open to other shades now. Widen my colour palette. Explore different brands and E/S types.

First that made it on my list is the Pressed Eye Shadow from Shu Uemura — in ME Green 450. (See what I mean? I’m back to greens. Gah. Basketcase.)

Shu Uemura
Pressed Eye Shadow
ME Green 450

Empowered Eyes: Intense Colors. Various Effects. Single eye shadows with light-capturing powders in 4 different lasting effects.

- Micro-fine powders: 2 different shapes adhere firmly to skin for an even, long-lasting finish
- Silicone-coated powder: results in truest color pay-off and a non-fading finish
- Light capturing powders: absorb and reflect light for a multi-dimensional finish
- Apply sheer or layer for intensity. May be used as eye liner with dampened eye liner brush

4 powders in 4 finishes: Matte (M), Pearl (P), Iridescent (IR) and Metallic (ME).

The ME means the eye shadow is metallic. Shimmer, shimmer. Gotta love the shimmer. Apart from it being a favourite colour, it IS the colour I often use if I opt out of using Taupe/Brown or Grey/Silver hues in my eye makeup. But it’s not your everyday metallic green. It has a gorgeous yellow-ish tinge when applied. You’d think you applied gold e/s over the green.

Dry application (left/top); wet application (right/bottom). Main difference is the consistency. The latter has a finer and more solid finish and the former mimics the effect. You will need to apply at least two layers to achieve the same effect when applied wet. The more layers you apply the more smokey, sultry and exotic looking your eye makeup will be.

Impressed with its staying power, definitely NOT chalk-y or powder-y. I even thought it was a cream to powder sort when I was at the Shu counter in Singapore, that’s how fine I found the powder is.

Here’s a sample of how it can look when applied (FOTD time!).

Face
PURAN Formula 24-hour Care, Biodroga
Pause & Effect Moisture Cream, Elizabeth Arden
Intervene Makeup in Soft Sunbeige, Elizabeth Arden
Clear Smooth Face Powder in Natural, Maybelline
Flawless Finish Maximum Coverage Concealer (Fair), Elizabeth Arden
Tea Tree Oil Cover Stick (02), The Body Shop

Eye
fafi Eyes Vanilla, MAC
fafi Eyes Hey, MAC
ME Green 450, Shu Uemura
Colour Nuance in Gold (WH005), The Face Shop
Eye Definer in Taupe, The Body Shop
Volum Express Brown Waterproof Mascara, Maybelline

Eyebrow
Shimmer Waves in Bronze, The Body Shop

Cheek
Blush in Super Orgasm, NARS

Lip
Lipstick in Modesty, MAC
LustreGlass in Beaux, MAC

This is a current favourite look that with the number of times I’ve done it, everything feels mechanical now. Heh.

Anyway, I’m now looking into getting more Shu eye shadows, particularly ME 850 and ME 300. Can’t wait!

Top Image: shuuemura-usa.com

Photos © 2009 Sasha Manuel