Just as we prepare the skin on the face before make-up application, it's very important to prepare the skin around the eyes too, so that your eye shadows last longer and apply easier.

Preparing the eye area

Remove make-up

If you want that professional looking finish before applying make-up, ensure that your eyes and the surrounding area are totally clean of make-up. Traces of mascara from the night before may remain if not cleansed thoroughly and this can smear into your make-up giving it a greyish tone, creating under eye circles!  No thanks!!  (Stay tuned for the Adorn natural organic skincare range including our gentle chamomile eye make-up remover)

Be gentle

Be careful with the eye area as the skin around it is very thin and therefore the most fragile area of the face; that's why you should be gentle, especially when removing makeup. If you have to rub hard to eliminate mascara or eye shadow it is quite possible your eye makeup remover isn't right for you.

Eye cream or primer

Use an eye cream or primer (never both) to keep the eye area hydrated, elastic, and protected. Apply using gentle patting motions to the area under your eyes avoiding your eye lids, as this particular area of the eye is usually quite oily, so by adding extra moisture make-up is more likely to crease and smear. (Try Adorn’s Porefect and Protect Primer with rosewater)

How to correct dark under eye circles and bags

It always amazes me how many ladies do not use concealer under the eye area.  For minimal effort a concealer is one way to get flawless, professional looking make-up!

Concealing dark circles

1. To conceal circles, preferably use a cream concealer. If you have very dark circles, this is the best choice, since liquid concealers are too light in coverage.
2. Make sure that the concealer provides moisture and doesn't dry out the area causing it to look flakey and even aged.  This is important as some concealers can make the problem look worse rather than better!  (Try Adorn’s mineral Cover Correction Concealer Trio with organic Jojoba oil and Shea butter)
3. Apply concealer with a synthetic brush for a professional finish to the under eye area or by patting with a clean finger the inner corners of the eye up to the lash line (normally this area is very bluish).
4. Apply a small amount of product and blend it softly outward.
5. Use a concealer a shade lighter than that of your face. This helps enhance cheekbones – a great double effect! Don't use one that's too light, it will be noticeable.
6. When you've finished making up your eyes, you can use Adorn’s Eye Create mineral cream Illuminiser (with jojoba oil and grapefruit extract) in the corner of the eye to brighten and open up the eye area.

Concealing bags

1. Use a shade of concealer similar to your skin to correct bags. If you use a lighter colour (like I suggested for dark circles), it will draw attention to your bags.
2. Once you've finished concealing, lock down the whole area with Adorn’s Perfect Finish Mineral Setting Powder with a small puff where your bags are to help further reduce their appearance.

Remember: to hide bags, it's important to avoid applying shimmery powders or illuminating concealers these types of products will make them more noticeable.

Your best colours

When I'm doing someone's makeup and I want to bring out the person's eye colour, I follow these simple rules:

The most flattering colours for...

Blue eyes

• Pink
• Brown
• Gold and bronze
• Black
• Very dark blue (if it's matte, even better)
• Orange or salmon

Green eyes

• Purples and violets
• Brown
• Dark green (especially if your eyes are light green)

Brown eyes

If you have brown eyes, you're lucky, because all colours are flattering on you. However, you can use these colours in particular to make them really pop!

• Greys and silvers
• Brown
• Black
• Purples and violets (opt for these shades especially if your eyes have a hint of light green in them)

Light eyes

• This is one of the basic rules of make-up: if you have light eyes, use dark colours to make them stand out.

Dark eyes

• Just as above, but the reverse. If you have dark eyes, use light and pearlescent colours to bring out their best.

Colours you should avoid if...

If you have heavy circles and you cannot completely hide them with your concealer, avoid  these colours at all costs:

• Greens
• Blues
• Purples
• Greys

Instead of the colours above, choose warm colours such as bronzes, golds...

If you have bags

If you have bags, it is more important to avoid certain types of textures, rather than certain colours, such as pearlescent shadows and shimmery or shiny creams, especially on the lower lid. You should also always make a well-defined line with pencil or shadow along your lower lashes.

Written by:

BrionyK - Adorn Mineral Cosmetics
A make-up artist for nearly 10 years, a bridal make-up specialist and an educator of women on the basics of applying flawless make-up.