The One Eye Shadow Palette You Should Own

I feel like the makeup industry has really stepped up its game in the past few years thanks to High Definition and all sorts of platforms to post a selfie. Sometimes, though, it's nice to stick to tried-and-true staples, like power eye shadow, and this newest release from Urban Decay does not disappoint. In fact, I'm going to just put it out there:

The Naked Ultimate Basics is the best eye shadow palette I own.

via GIPHY

Even if you don't want this one, here's what to look for in a good palette and how to use it.

Light, Medium, and Dark Shades

A big complaint with most shadow palettes is that the colors are too similar, or there isn't a good balance of shades. Remember: light colors make things look like they're coming towards you, dark colors make things look like they're going away, and sparkle brings attention to an area, so make sure your palette has a good range of at least three shades for dimension.

Skip the Sparkle

I love shimmery and metallic shades, but I don't wear them every day.  And, when I'm doing someone's makeup, I am extremely conservative with sparkle placement because when it's good, it's good - but when it's bad, it's really, really bad. Unless you are a unicorn, I like all-matte palettes with a coupe of individual shimmer shadows on the side.

So Many Options

One of the biggest drawbacks I hear about palettes is that people get overwhelmed with all the choices. Well...there's this phenomenon called YouTube, and this makeup artist has a channel to give you several ideas. If you need more in-depth help, I offer makeup lessons and your own, personal makeup tutorial video - head over to the "services" tab for more details.

Here are a few short videos to get you started:

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I'm so glad you stopped by Electra Lane, and I hope you learned something! Please don't hesitate to ask questions - Instagram is a great place for that, and you can find me @ElectraLane.

Images c/o UrbanDecay.com 

This post is NOT sponsored!

One Palette Three Ways ~ Smokey

It might be hard to believe, but we are down the the last three colors in my Urban Decay Naked 3 palette!  Since we've already done a halo and dramatic eye, let's do a traditional smokey look.

We're using Mugshot as the darkest color, Buzz in the center, and Burnout to blend.  I love to remind my clients that just because you do a smokey eye technique, you can still use soft colors.

Here's the video tutorial with step-by-step directions below:

I started with a little concealer and translucent powder to prep, then started with the darkest color, Mugshot.

Line upper lash line

With a smudger, like this contour brush from e.l.f. cosmetics ($3!), apply your darkest color to the top lash line.

Blend into crease

Take your typical eye shadow brush (MAC 239) and add your mid-tone shade (Buzz) to the lid and up into the crease.

Blend edges with lightest shade

Taking a small blending brush (MAC 221) and your lightest shade (Burnout), blend all the edges so the color disappears into nothing.

Smoke out under eye area

Starting with the smudge brush and a little of your darkest shade, start from the outside corner and work your way in under the lower lash line so the color is darkest on the outer corner.

Then, starting with your blending brush and the lightest shade, work from the inner corner to the outward and blend the two shadows.

Add liner, curl lashes, apply mascara, and voila:

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I hope you enjoyed this series and that you finally get full use from those eye shadow palettes.  What else what you like to see?  Reach out @ElectraLane on Facebook, Instagram or Snapchat and let me know.

P.S. Please disregard my messy bangs in these photos - I do makeup, not hair. :)

One Palette Three Ways ~ Dramatic

Of all the eye shadow looks, this is my absolute favorite.  Some might save it for a special occasion, but with soft colors like we're using today, you'll see how it is very wearable.  Last week, I showed you the "halo" look, which is just a step up from a basic wash of color.  This week, the "dramatic" look is a take on the basic light-all-over-lid-darker-shade-in-crease look.  There are quite a few steps, but I think you'll discover your own method of this look with time and practice. Here's the video tutorial with the step-by-step instructions below:

Still using the Naked 3 palette by Urban Decay, we start with prepping the lids with a little shadow primer or concealer, then a light dusting of powder.

Etch out a crease

Using Limit  apply to the entire area from just above your eyeball up to your brow bone.  Only blend as far out as the tail of your eyebrow.

Add dimension

On a smaller brush, sweep Nooner into the actual crease - where the skin folds when you open your eye - then go back and blend the two shades together with the first brush.

Create an outer corner

Load up a small brush and pat Blackheart onto the outer 1/3 of your lid, then gently blend into outer crease.

Add drama to the lid

With a clean brush, sweep Factory from the inner corner into Blackheart and blend.

Spotlight

Dip your ring finger into Trick and Dust, then tap lightly on the center of your lid.  This will keep the lid from becoming too heavy.

Highlight

Use your pinky or a small brush to apply Strange just to the inner corners.  Blend any rough edges.

Smudge under eye

With the brush you used for the darkest color, add a little more Blackheart and smudge on the bottom 2/3 of the lash line.  You might need to add a little more of the highlight to the inner corner.

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Only three colors left in the palette!  Meet me back here next week to see how to use them and, in the meantime, make sure to follow me on Instagram and Snapchat @ElectraLane and Facebook.com/Electra Lane.

One Palette Three Ways ~ Halo

Eye shadow palettes are like candy. They're so pretty that I never seem to know which one to choose - and too many can't be good. If you're new to makeup and aren't yet sure of your style, a palette is an economical way to try many different options...but most of us tend to only use two or three favorite shades. Since I was off last week, this month's For Better or Worse can quickly be summed up with this: the worst palette is the one you never use, and the best one is the on you use almost daily!  I reach for either my custom palette or one of my Urban Decay Naked palettes most often.

Using my Urban Decay Naked 3 palette, I'll show you how to take the guesswork out of using eye shadow palettes over the next few weeks.  Today,  you'll discover how to do what I'll call a "halo" shadow look (because the darker shadow forms a circle around your eye).

Prep lids

I used a little concealer and a light dusting of translucent powder

Apply a wash of color with a paddle brush

Using the larger end of Stila brush #15, I applied Liar (a dusky lavender with a little sheen) all over the lid and crease.

Sweep a darker shade on the top and bottom lash lines with a pencil brush

After using Darkside, I went back and blended with my finger.

Finish with eyeliner (MAC Smolder) and mascara (NARS Audacious)

That's it!  Seriously.  It's that simple.  But if you do have questions, here's a video...

...and you can always snap me on Snapchat (user = ElectraLane).

See you next week when we do a dramatic look!

P.S. The queen of this look is Cara from Maskcara - you need to check out her Makeover Mondays.

Eye Shadow Palettes

If the title of this post strikes fear into your heart, makes you panic a little, and/or causes you to break into a cold sweat, you're not alone.  While they might be pretty, eye shadow palettes with five, ten, or even more options can overwhelm even a seasoned makeup junkie. Whenever I get stuck due to eye shadow overload, I go back to the basics.  Since we recently discussed eye shadow 101, all you have to do is pick out a base, crease, lid, and liner color (or whatever combination you want) from the palette.

For some tips and ideas on how to use your palettes, click HERE for a video.

Here are three of my favorites:

1. Urban Decay Naked 2

Although I don't think this is the "prettiest" of the Naked palettes, this is the one I reach for the most because it holds my favorite base, crease, and liner shades.

2. Lorac Pro

The most complete palette out there in my opinion.  Equal parts matte and satin/metallic shades, there are plenty of color choices.

3. NARS NARSissist Blush, Contour, and Lip Palette

Finally, my entire face in a case.  I love to use the darker blushes as eye shadow.