Tips For Making Your Eyeshadow More Pigmented

Nothing is worse than falling in love with an eyeshadow palette only to discover once you start to use it is the colors are not as pigmented as they appear on Instagram, Tik Tok, or on the website.

Luckily beauties, I have your back with my top tips for making your eyeshadow more pigmented, looking bold and beautiful every time! 

It's Time To Prime

Priming your eye is the most crucial step to getting a bold, pigmented eyeshadow look. A primer offers so many benefits when it comes to color payoff and the longevity of your eyeshadow. I could write another blog post on just primer. But we will save that for another day. 

Nonetheless, I explain primer in makeup the same way I would with a house. Like the primer you would apply to a wall before painting, you want to do the same with your eyes and face. 

Using a makeup primer offers so many benefits for your eye makeup. See a few of them below.

• Primers create a great eyeshadow base.
• Primer allows the color to adhere better and last longer, with little transparency and minimal fading. Hence your shadow has an excellent color payoff. 
• Can prevent creasing.
• Creates a smooth surface (a must for those starting to show signs of aging)

What Type Of Primer Should You Use On Your Eyelids

I will not discuss brands here but rather a few primer options, concealer, and an actual product marketed as an eyeshadow primer.

Product 1: Concealer For An Eyeshadow Primer

A concealer has multi uses, and one, you guessed it, used as an eyeshadow primer. There are a few things to keep in mind, however. You want to make sure you are using a matte formula-ideally one that can help to control oily skin. It is natural for eyelids to be oily, and too much oil will lead to the shadow moving around and creasing.

You also want to select a concealer color that is a few shades lighter than skin tone. Doing this will help make the eyeshadow pop with more pigmented hues. 

Product 2: An Actual Eyeshadow Primer With Some Pigment

While there are many eyeshadow primers, not all pass the Courtney stamp of approval if you seek that pigmented shadow. The goal of that boost of color vibrancy is to look for eye primers with pigment. While translucent primers may help with creasing and oil control, they will not do the job of making your eyeshadow more pigmented.  

Use The Correct Eyeshadow Brush To Achieve Pigmented Shadow Application

Applying eyeshadow is all about technique and using the right beauty tools. We're talking about eyeshadow brushes, of course.

The goal of a pigmented eyeshadow look is to use an eyeshadow brush designed for expert application of high-pigment formulas. 

As a first step, you should start by using a flat shader brush because it picks up the product well and helps you apply a shadow layer on top of your eyelid evenly.

The bristles of modern-day eyeshadow brushes are nylon, polyester, or other synthetic fibers. Since synthetic brushes deposit a lot of pigment, they are ideal for many eye looks.

Pack On The Eyeshadow, Don't Swipe It On

The method you use to apply your shadow will make all the difference. Don't immediately start blending with a blending brush when applying the shadow on top of the eyelid. Instead, you want to pat or stamp when creating a shadow base of eyeshadow and blend later. 

If you start using in a windshield wiper movement (this is blending), you will swipe off-color (just as a windshield wiper does rain), and you're not going to see a lot of color pay off.

You can pack more product onto the lid with a shader makeup brush. And where there's more product, there's typically more color. Once you've built up enough color, you can begin blending.

Tap Off Excess Eyeshadow

Depending on the eye shadow you use, you might find that some textures are more prone to fallout (I'm looking at you, shimmers) than others. Be sure to dust any excess pigment off your makeup brush so that you only have enough eyeshadow for your lids.

Clean Your Makeup Brushes

Aside from the fact that makeup brushes harbor bacteria and dead skin cells, properly washing and storing your makeup brushes will ensure they remain in the best shape and increase longevity. Makeup brushes are just as essential as the composition itself, so taking care of them is crucial, this includes proper storage like a makeup bag.

Spray Your Makeup Brush With A Setting Spray

Another way to make your eyeshadows are more pigmented on the lid is to spray your eyeshadow brush with a makeup setting spray first and then apply it on your lid. However, be careful as you do not want the brush to be wet (you want it to be damp). This process will help the shadow look brighter and help the eyeshadow stay in place. 

Purchase A Quality Eyeshadow Palette

It's easy to get swayed into purchasing that super eye-catching palette trending on Tik Tok.

Sure, a popping palette can be high-quality, but don't judge a book by its cover. Several factors make up a solid selection of eyeshadow colors.

Ideally, an eyeshadow palette should offer shades for your brow bone, lid, and crease. Without options for all three, it can be challenging to create a complete look. 

Having multiple shades in the same color family is a bonus, so I designed the "Everyday Palette." It has twenty neutral shades in matte, shimmer, and satin finishes. 

With this palette, you can do so much, from creating a simple nude look to a sultry smokey eye and that high-impact gorgeous eye look using these tips provided for an intensely pigmented look.

Don't Forget The Skincare

Despite early call times, long days on set, and regularly flying across time zones, Hollywood's biggest stars always look fresh and bright-eyed with their bold eyeshadow looks. 

While many factors contribute to their glow, there’s no denying that pro makeup artists have a few perfect tricks that will help you when you wake up, and your eyes are a little bit too puffy.

See some of these below. 

• The first trick is to find a great eye moisturizer. Both the eyelid and the undereye area need to be correctly hydrated for flawless makeup application. The number one reason for caked-on makeup is dry skin, and this also causes false wrinkles around the eye area and your eyeshadow to crease.
• Next, especially during the summer, keep these eye creams in the fridge to have a cooling effect around the eye, which feels fantastic.
• Lastly, chill out and treat those puffy eyes with my fruity gel cooling eye masks. These cooling eye masks stimulate blood circulation, help depuff the eye area and minimize the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.