Shapes of Eyes and how to enhance them with make up

Shapes of Eyes and how to enhance them with make up

There is a great amount of potential for enhancing what is unique about your eyes. It helps to identify the specific shape and setting of your eyes and to use special make up techniques to bring out their beauty. The skillful application of eye makeup is an art. It's a way to express your feeling, your mood and your sense of style. 

Wide-apart eyes It tends to give your face an open, youthful appearance. This look can be intensified by applying the strongest eye makeup effects near the outer corner of the eye. Keep shadow uniform and within outer corners. Brush lashes straight up.
To make the eyes appear closer together,  Use more intense eye shadow colours near the inner corner of the eyes.  Line eyes completely – top and bottom – from inner to outer corners. Apply a medium-toned shadow to lids and creases, concentrating the colour on the inner corners. Use mascara generously, on both upper and lower lashes.

Close-set eyes This eye have a dramatic, sultry look. It can be enhanced by concentrating colour near the eye's inner corners. Extend smoky shadow beyond outer corners to exaggerate them. Brush lashes out.
To make the eyes seem farther apart,  Apply the most intense colour near the outer corners of the eyes. Line top and bottom of eyes in any colour, but begin drawing a quarter of the way out  from the inner eye. Smudge lines. Dust a highlighter (or light-coloured eyeshadow) just below the outer corners of lower  lashes to call attention to the outsides of eyes. Brush mascara on to upper and lower lashes.

Evenly spaced eyes   These are about an eye's distance apart. They can be made to look special with many eye makeup looks.

Almond eyes These are the most common eye shape with their upswept lift at the outer corner.  These eyes calls for creativity. These eyes can be made to look deeper and more intense

Small eyes They are proportionately smaller in comparison to the rest of the facial features. To enhance small eyes line upper and lower (never inside) eyes. Use pale, shimmery, eye shadow. Curl lashes.
To enlarge small eyes Apply a medium-toned shadow (such as soft grey or blue) to the crease. Use a soft-coloured liner (try taupe) on the top and bottom lash lines, extending the top line across the entire lash line and the bottom line from just under the iris to the outer  corner. Sweep black mascara on upper lashes. Apply light shadow on the eyelids. Apply more intense shades in the creases. Add lift to the outer corners

Prominent eyes These eyes which set far forward in the face tend to dominate the facial features. The eyelids are too pronounced. Medium to deep shades of shadow on the lids help to minimize their appearance. Liners applied to the lash bases from corner to corner gives prominent eyes a smoldering and mysterious look.

Hooded eyes These eyes are set so the natural crease in the eyelid is not readily seen. Highlighting the brow bone and lining the lash base gives hooded eyes an alluring shape.
To enhance hooded eyes Apply a medium to dark shadow on the crease and hooded area. Sweep a lighter shadow on the brow bone and on the inside corner of the eye. Draw a very thin line along the top lash line (to keep the eye looking open) and smudge with a cotton swab. Apply black mascara to upper lashes. Line upper lash-line only. Gradually soften shadow as you approach the brow.

Deep-set eyes This seem to recede, need to be brought forward.  The eyelid crease is set back so the area from the base of  lashes to brow bone seems hidden. To enhance the deep-set eyes line upper and lower lids (never just upper). Choose light shadows -pale pink, peach or beige- of eye shadow. More intense shading on the brow bone also gives the eyes prominence.

Oriental eyes   These eyes have a distinctive lift at the corner and have very little lid. The depth of the eyes can increase by deep shades of eye shadow and the dimension can be increased by applying eyeliner as close as possible to the lash base.

 To Enhance Bulging eyes : 

• Draw a fairly thick line all the way across the top lash line with a brown or black pencil.
• Apply a medium to dark shadow on the lid and in the crease. (As on the body, dark colour makes the features recede.)
• Finish with a coat of black mascara on both upper and lower lashes.

Care & Exercises for the Eye

Vitamins A, B and C are very essential for the good care of the eyes. Milk, butter, cod liver oil, egg yolk, yellow and orange coloured vegetables such as pumpkin, carrot, tomato, mango, papaya, melon as well as green leafy vegetables such as celery, parsley, spinach etc contain a large amount of vitamin A. 8 to 10 hours of sleep is a must for bright eyes. 

To avoid eye strain : 

• Do not work in dim light
• Wear sunglasses whenever you step out in the sun
• Use face wash instead of soap because soap tends to darken the skin on the eyelids.
• Do not read continuously in moving vehicles.
• Do not stare too tong at anything without blinking the eyes. Blinking provides lubrication and relief from light.
• Do not rub the eyes too hard.
• To give momentary relief to the eyes, close the eyes with your palms so that no light can enter. Now open the eyes in the palm cup and stare into this darkness for a minute.

Exercises for eyes : 

• Lift the eyes to the ceiling and then to the floor. Repeat it for 10 times. Rest the eyes either by blinking rapidly or rubbing your palms together and covering your eyes with them. Do not press the eyes. Palming reduces strain and gives relaxation to eyes.
• Look straight ahead at eye level, then slowly to left side at eye level and then to right side at eye level. Repeat it for 3 or 4 times.
• Make a circle, first clockwise and then anti-clockwise, with the eyes. Repeat for 5 times.

For eye care

Splash the eyes with cold water. Apply cotton wool pads, soaked in warm milk, witch hazel, weak tea solution or rose water on the eyes. Press gently and leave for 10 to 15 minutes. 

Care for Eyebrows and Eyelashes :

• Eyebrows and Eyelashes should be brushed daily with a small brush.
• Rub eyebrows and eyelashes with olive oil or coconut oil or almond oil to encourage hair growth.
• For cleansing and nourishment of eyebrows, rub them with a little egg white and rinse it off after 10 minutes.

Eye cosmetics and make up

Cleanliness and hygiene should be followed when using eye cosmetics otherwise it can lead to some infections of the eyes. It is not good to borrow or lend any eye make up and it is best to always keep your hands clean while using eye make up.

Eye Shadows

Eye shadows leave a shiny or opaque finish depending on the time of make up and shape of eyes. To achieve the perfect daytime look with eye shadow, you need to follow some basic guidelines. The basic tones you need are

(a) a pale highlighter shade for your brow bone area. 

(b) a basic shade for your eyelids.

The shades you choose can be deep-toned or pale, neutral or bright, but they should be applied so that they are not too strong. Blending is important while applying eye shadow. The colour used should be appropriate to the colour of the skin and match the colour of the dress. When you use more than one shade they should be so well blended that you can't tell where one ends and the next one begins.

Forms of shadows

Eye Shadows come in a variety of forms like pressed powders, pencils, sticks, gels or creams. Pressed powders are the most popular form of shadows. They are available in pearly and matt textures. You can get a better effect, if you apply them with a wet brush. The cream shadows are oil or wax based. It is best suited for dry lids and should be avoided on greasy eye lids. Pencils have a high colour and filling ability. Gels are suited for oily skins. 

Brushes for application

 A straight - bristled brush for each colour and a round bristled brush for blending.

Application

When you apply eye shadow, always start with the highlighter shade. Brush it just under the outer end of each eyebrow and quickly blend the colour inward toward the inner end of the eyebrow, above the inner corner of the eye. After that apply the eyelid shadow by beginning in the centre of each lid, just above the pupil of your eye. With a blending brush, make a quick back and forth motion. Finish the make up by blending upward to meet the highlighter shade. 

Eye liner

Eye liners are the most extensively used form of eye make up. Eye liner is used to make the eyes more prominent and create an illusion of thicker lashes. Eye lining is done with a back or brown eye liner on the top lid of each eye and sometimes under the lower lashes. The line should be smooth instead of a harsh line.

Forms of liners

Eye liner comes in liquids or pencil form.  Care should be taken when using liquid eye liner. It should not go into the eyes. Liquid liners can be either water based or alcohol based. Alcohol based liners are water proof.

Application

To apply liquid eye liner, draw the  brush out of the bottle or tube and stroke it against the mouth of the tube to remove excess liquid and taper the brush to a fine point. Using the very tip of the brush, stroke the eyeliner evenly across the lid as close to the base of the lashes as possible, beginning with the inner corner of the eye and continuing to the outer corner of the eyelid. Apply the line in several short brush strokes. 

Indians have our own indigenous type of eye make up -kajal. Home made Kajals does not contain any chemicals.

Eye defining pencil 

Eye defining pencil adds definition and a hint of colour to the bottom of each eye. It is available in variety of colours. The pencil should have a fine point and a medium to soft lead so it glides on easily under the lower eyelashes. 

To apply eye defining pencil, lightly stroke a single, fine line under the lower lashes starting at the outer corner of the eye. The line must be close to the base. Run the pencil smoothly under the lashes along each lower eyelid to the inner corner of the eye. Then use an angles brush or a cotton swab to soften and blend the line. Eye defining should be never be a hard, thick line. 

Eye brow Pencil

An eyebrow pencil emphasizes the eye brows, improves their shapes and makes them look thick. The colour of the eyebrow pencil should never be darker than that of your brows or hair colour. 

To apply eyebrow pencil, brush your eyebrows with a eyebrow brush to remove excess foundation or face powder. Then with outward brush strokes, smooth the hairs in the direction in which they grow. To shape your brows properly, begin by using short, light strokes of the pencil to outline the top of each eyebrow up to its arch. Use featherlike strokes to extend each brow to the end. Fill in any sparse areas by using these same strokes. Then brush your brows with an eyebrow brush to smooth them and blend in the pencil strokes.

Mascara

Mascara thickens the eye lashes and increase attractiveness of the eyes and emphasize them. It gives the eye make up the finishing touch. Brush the lashes, apart from application. Light coats are better than thick ones.

Forms of Mascara

There are 3 different forms of Mascara - water based, water proof and the mixed variety. Mixed variety is the the most useful one. Water based mascaras can be applied quickly and removed easily. So they are gentle to the lashes and eyes. But they won't stay for a long time, as the mascara smudges easily when it comes into contact with water, tears and perspiration.

Water proof variety stay for a long time and is water proof and smudge proof. They are a good investment as they are resistant to contamination and can be used even years after they have been manufactured. But it takes a long time to dry and is difficult to remove the liner. The mixed variety is a combination of water based and water proof mascaras. These dry quickly and is easy to remove.

Application

Apply mascara by looking straight into the mirror, with your chin lifted slightly so you can see your lashes clearly. Gently twist the spiral brush as you withdraw it from the masara bottle. Stroke your upper lashes evenly from their base to the tips, curling them upward with the brush as you apply the mascara. Apply mascara to the lower lashes with downward strokes, wiggling the brush back and forth a bit to separate the lashes. After you have applied the mascara to both eyes, you can repeat the application to add more fullness to your eyelashes. 

Under eye concealers

 They are intended to hide blemishes and dark circles under the eyes. Application of make up above them, does not remove them.