Of all "the makeups," I think eye shadow application is the most confusing.  I can still get overwhelmed when trying to put together a look, but what helps me is to always go back to the basics. But that's a problem if you don't know what "the basics" means.  And, according to several of my clients, they don't, because they feel there is so much information.  And there is - this topic is a bear.

Here's why:

Every eye shape is different, therefore it is impossible to give paint-by-number, step-by-step instructions to a large audience.

Also, a disclaimer: I rarely do my eyes the same way.  Although there are a few main guidelines, I'm constantly changing up the application and colors.  So, I've boiled down those "few main guidelines" and named them Eye Shadow 101 because no matter your eye shape, you can do this look.

Click here to see the video showing how to do it, and here are the ingredients:

1. Large, fluffy brush like the MAC 227

2. Small paddle brush

3. Crease brush like the MAC 224

4. Angle brush

5. Eye shadow; I used Foxy, Buck, a color similar to Finish, and Blackout from Urban Decay.  So, what you need is a matte base shadow that is your skin color or a little lighter (pressed powder is a great option), a matte crease shade that is a little darker than your skin (or you can use bronzer).  The other two are optional: a "fun" shade, either a color or something with a little texture, and a darker color - like black, brown, navy, or purple - to use as eyeliner.

6. If turning a shadow into a liner, add some sort of medium like water or setting spray.

Take your time, practice, and experiment with different shadows and brushes so you can find what works best for you.