Although this riot of colour is perhaps not quite suitable for every day wear, the steps below are what I follow to create any long-wearing and intensely pigmented eye looks. Of course, if rainbows aren’t your thing, you can use just one or two shades, and it works equally well with neutrals.
For me the most important thing when doing eye makeup is to have fun, and not be concerned with what anyone else thinks – it’s all about pleasing yourself, and expressing your individuality. And of course if it doesn’t turn out quite how you planned, just wash your canvas clean and start over!
Step 1: Push a dark liner into the base of your top lid lashes
This will fill in any fleshy gaps that might otherwise show when you curl your lashes, and give your eyes a subtle definition (great for older gals on its own!). You can use a liquid, pen, crayon or gel, whichever is the easiest for you to handle. Lightly press one finger on the top lid to make your lashes turn slightly upwards, and push the liner up and into the base from below. The aim is to not have any liner above your lash-line. Once complete, hold a tissue beneath the top lid and close your eye onto it to remove any excess product.
Step 2: Blend a white base over the entire top lid
After applying, gently pat the base with a fingertip to smooth out any unevenness. Any moist product will do, cream or crayon – the white will give your shadows heaps more impact, they’ll adhere to the cream, and last all day without losing any intensity.
Step 3: Add your pigments
You can apply the colours in any sequence, but I prefer to do mine just as the rainbow appears in the sky. Use a soft, fine, angled liner-brush so you can control the size of each colour segment, and press the shadow onto the lid. You can use the same brush – just give it a good wipe on a towel or tissue between colour changeovers. To avoid distinct lines between the shades, simply wiggle the brush where the colours join.
Step 4: Draw a fine line along the bottom lash-line
…and blend a little shadow over the top to soften it.
Step 5: Clean up
Wipe away any fallout using a dab of eye primer on the flat end of a cosmetic tip – I find this works far better than makeup remover, and there’s less chance of disturbing all your hard work. Use a fresh cotton bud to clean the waterline.
Step 6: Curl lashes & apply mascara
Step 7: Line the waterline with a light coloured crayon
Optional, but essential for me – my waterlines are blotchy, and adding a white or nude crayon takes years off my appearance, and makes my eyes look whiter and brighter.
Finish with concealer/illuminator and you’re ready show off your bold rainbow peepers 🙂
