Why choosing the right cream eyeshadow is important

Take a look in your wardrobe. A quick scan of the rails, or your favourite, most-worn pieces, will likely follow a pattern when it comes to colours. Do you gravitate towards bold brights? Muted neutrals? And of those colours, do you feel most confident and comfortable in green tones? Pink hues? Shades of beige?

Over the years, most of us have carefully honed an idea of the shades which suit us when it comes to our clothes. But when it comes to makeup, many aren’t quite so confident.

Chosen well, the right cream eyeshadow can make your eyes pop, enhancing their colour and sparkle. Like a flattering blouse or a gorgeous coat, a good eyeshadow should enhance your look, boosting your confidence and inviting compliments.

What to consider when choosing an eyeshadow

To help you navigate the wonderful world of eyeshadows, keep the following considerations in mind:

Eye colour

When choosing an eyeshadow shade, there are two options: either it will complement your eye colour, or it will enhance it, making the colour stand out. For the former, choose a shade that is similar to, or at least in the same colour family, as your eye colour. That means taupe, beige and brown shades for brown eyes, and emeralds for green. For the latter, you’ll need to think back to your school art class. “Picture a colour wheel, and look to the opposite side to where your eye colour sits,” explains Alex Phillips, Pro Makeup Artist at Trinny London. “That’s the colour that’s going to make your eyes pop.”

If you have… blue eyes

“Gold and hues with tints of red and yellow, like orange, copper, and warm, brownish tones are perfect for emphasising your blue eyes,” advises Katie Levy, Pro Makeup Artist at Trinny London.

If you have… grey eyes

“Grey eyes suit similar colours to blue eyes. Neutral browns and peaches are both great options.”

If you have… green eyes

“Any eye shade with red hues, like maroon, amethyst, coral-orange, or pinkish-red, will accentuate green eyes. Rose gold is also a good option because the slightly red undertone of this gold shade allows green eyes to shimmer.”

If you have… hazel eyes

“Browns, golds and greens will instantly enhance the richness of hazel eyes. Bronzes are dreamy for bringing out the warmth and purples provide a gorgeous contrast to your eye colour.”

If you have… brown eyes

“Gold eye shades with brown eyes are a winning combination. Brown eyes also tend to have a natural sparkle, so gold eye shades, such as copper, bronze, rose gold, and shimmery yellow, enhance their golden tones. With rich brown eyes, the contrast of shades like cobalt blue, teal and turquoise will make your eyes instantly pop.”

Skin tone

Whether your skin is warm or cool toned will impact the shades of eyeshadow that suit you best. Not sure which camp you fall into? Try holding a piece of gold jewellery against your skin, followed by a silver piece. The one that makes your skin look more vibrant, and your eyes brighter, correlates to your skin tone. If it’s the gold that suits you best, you’re warm toned, and if it’s silver, you’re cool. Lucky enough to suit both? Then your skin is neutral. Eyeshadows with green, blue or purple hues are all considered cool, while reds and oranges are warm.

Balancing your makeup

You know that awkward moment when two people are trying to speak at once? They end up shouting over each other, with each vying for attention. If you approach your makeup as separate sections, rather than one overall look, the effect can be the same. A smoky eye will always be gorgeous, but won’t get the attention it deserves if it’s up against a plump, pillowy red lip. The end result can quickly become overwhelming, undoing the time you’ve spent applying your makeup.

Keep your entire face in mind when applying eyeshadow, considering which lip shades will complement your eyes, as well as whether the look would benefit from a flush of blush, a few sweeps of bronzer or a cheekbone-sculpting contour.

The finish

An eyeshadow can take on a completely different look depending on the finish. It’s just like fabric – a pink dress will be unrecognisable in soft cotton compared to high-shine satin. Remember this when choosing your shadow. Not all occasions call for full-on sparkle, but we’re also advocates for not keeping things for best. Think about whether you’d prefer an eye-catching or more muted finish when selecting your shadow.

Your outfit

There’s a reason why most of us wear pretty much the same makeup most days. Our signature looks, whether that’s a champagne-toned eyeshadow or a glossy nude lip, often become signatures because they go with everything. But that’s not to say that your looks can’t benefit from a change in shade. If you’re wearing colour, see if there’s something in your outfit that you can pull into your makeup. Maybe a hint of green, copper or aubergine? Building a relationship between the two elements will make your overall look feel more considered.

The colours you love

Any makeup advice should always be taken as just that, advice. In reality, there are no rules, and it comes down to choosing what makes you smile when you look in the mirror. Love dusky pink eyeshadows but worried that they won’t complement your skin tone? Wear them regardless. Makeup is all about expressing yourself, and having fun in the process.

Find your perfect finish

Eye2Eye collection

Intensely pigmented, our Eye2Eye shades enhance your eyes in seconds. The cream formula glides on and is easy to build and blend. There’s a shade for everyone, with shimmering neutrals alongside pops of colour.

Eyetallics collection

Sometimes, more is more. Eyetallics shimmering eye shades were developed to deliver maximum payoff with minimum effort. The cream-to-powder formula makes it easy to build an intense finish, with none of the glitter fallout you get with traditional shadows.