by Talia Murphy

Created on: August 14, 2009

Contrary to popular opinion, blue eye shadow is not the best choice for blue eyes. If you are lucky enough to be a stunning "blue-eyed girl", take a really good look at your eyes. Are they more green, hazel or gray? Do your eyes have flecks of topaz, brown, white or black? This will determine your most flattering eye shadow color.

If you blended all of the individual shades you see together, what would you have? You want to enhance your natural color by using a shadow that is slightly less intense or slightly more intense, but in the same color range. This will make your eyes the most dominant feature, not the color or your eyelids.

After applying your foundation base or a good brush-on dry mineral base over your face and neck area, begin applying your eye shadows. Darker eyes may require something slightly lighter, such as a silvery gray shadow along with a muted version of your eye color. More blue-green eyes may look better using a more subdued, gray-green or khaki color blended with a taupe. Always stay in the more natural earth tones.

The darker shade should always be applied very sparingly to the area closest to the lashes and in the deepest set part of the lid. Use the same lighter shade just under the arch of the brow as well. Why not a mauve and charcoal combo or peach and khaki? Keep a light beige shadow, silver, taupe or mauve to mix with darker shades if you need to lighten them.

Now, apply a very thin line of brown or charcoal gray eyeliner close to the base of your top lashes. This will define your eyes. Be sure to continue past the far corner of the eye with a bit of an upswing ending in a point. Give the line a lift or your face could end up giving the impression of being sad or tired. Be sure to keep the arch of the brow clean and tapered toward the end for a more uplifted expression.

Apply dark brown mascara in thin layers to your eyelashes and a light layer to bottom lashes. Unless your hair is black, black mascara is too intense and stark. It will not give you the natural look you want unless you're looking for a more dramatic look for evening. Choose a blush and lipstick to complement your complexion.

Stay in the rose, raspberry or coral family for blush and lipstick choices. They will give you a more lively, youthful vibrancy. Darker shades sometimes tend to make the enamel of the teeth look strange and, overall, are not flattering. Isn't the reason for wearing makeup to enhance our best features? Skillfully applied makeup, using the right color combination, can make anyone a natural beauty.

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