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How to Apply White Eyeshadow

Mar 11, 2011 / By Mimi Abney

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Spread a shimmery white shadow on your lids for a perfectly polished eye.

Photo: Jupiterimages/Goodshoot/Getty Images

If you are on a makeup mission to brighten and lighten your eye area, add a swipe of white eyeshadow to your makeup bag of tricks. In fact, white eyeshadow dazzles all skin tones and complexions, especially fair and medium-toned skin. If you want a celebrity-inspired eye that is glam-squad approved and complements all eye shapes, use the light-reflecting properties of white shadow to look dolled up and perfectly pretty.

Dot your eyelids with concealer. For a non-clumpy application, apply two dots to each eye and smooth with your fingertips. Got skin flaws you need to hide? The concealer will cover freckles and veins while creating a smooth surface for your shadow colors.

To create a base for your white eyeshadow, swipe a sheer and neutral eye color across the entire eyelid from the browbone to the lashline, using an eyeshadow brush. Looking for the perfect neutral hue? Let your skin tone be your guide. Cool-toned skin looks best in mauve or rose-brown neutral colors. Beige or camel neutral shadow colors flatter warm-toned skin. Apply the neutral color lightly, so it won't decrease the intensity of the white shadow.

For more drama, add a darker brown or charcoal gray color in the crease only, to contour and add depth to the eye.

Apply your white eyeshadow color from the crease to the lashline to make your eyes pop. Sweep white shadow under the brow bone to highlight and open the eye. For a subtle look, that's more modern instead of clownish, blend the neutral shadow, contour shade and the white eyeshadow together with a fluffy blush brush.

To prevent a raccoon look around the eyes, paint a thin line of charcoal gray eyeliner on the upper lash line only. Add a final touch to your bright and wide-eyed look with two coats of jet-black mascara.

1.Concealer

3.Eyeshadow brush

5.Charcoal gray eyeliner

7.Translucent powder

2.Taupe, beige, brown, nude, gray and/or bronze eyeshadows

4.White eyeshadow

6.Black mascara

If you plan to wear a bold pink or red lip for evening, skip step 3 and don't add contour. A bold eye and a bold lip will look clownish instead of sophisticated and chic.

If your white eyeshadow is too bright, dust it with translucent powder to tone down the eye color.