Visible Monday: Breaking the rules with eye shadow

(OK, first off, don't laugh at me for another self-taken picture in my car! This time with my seatbelt on, no less!) This usually happens because my make-up is freshly done, I'm getting ready to leave for work, and somehow the lighting tends to be good. Whatever works, you know?

All right...to the subject of eye shadow and sometimes breaking the rules.

The make-up Powers That Be will often tell you:

--not to wear eye shadow that matches the color of your eyes

--not to wear eye shadow that matches what you're wearing

--older women should only wear neutral eye shadows

On this occasion, I brazenly did all these no-no's, and I liked it fine!

I resisted the urge to photo-shop so I could realistically show you what these colors looked like, by the way.


Also, note to self (I'm still learning...), next time, take a picture of your eyes CLOSED as well.

Here's what I did:

--used a tiny angled brush to apply Clinique eye shadow in "slate" to define my eyebrows

--applied Elf eyelid primer to my entire above-eye area (more on primer in a moment!)

--brushed Estee Lauder matte eye-shadow in "sandbar beige" over entire above-eye area---this sets the primer and gives you a nice canvas for the rest of your shadow look

--applied Ulta eye shadow in "envy" in eye crease and outer corners of the lid, blending carefully

--went over the crease with Clinique "slate" eye shadow, blending carefully

--applied Elf cream eyeliner in "gunmetal" above the upper eyelashes

--lightly went over the eyeliner with Clinique "slate" eye shadow to set it

--below the "water line," applied Ulta Kohl Eyeliner Pencil in "emerald"

--lightly went over that with Ulta eyeshadow in "envy" to set it

--applied Estee Lauder black mascara in "Sumptuous" both on top and bottom lashes

(I know it sounds lengthy, but it actually doesn't take that long to do.)

Yes, there are some eye shadow rules that older women should not regularly break. For instance, highly frosted and shimmery shadows are best avoided or kept to a minimum (I do use them sometimes, sparingly.)

And remember, blend, blend, blend. You want to avoid a "striped" look at all costs!

But some rules are made to be broken. Do it with class and discretion, but take a chance every once in a while!

OK, about primer

If you haven't yet discovered primer, let me introduce you to what will become one of your best cosmetic friends!

As you've already surmised, I'm a make-up girl. I pretty much never step out of the house without a full face of it.

For years, though, I was a prisoner to constant touch-ups. It just never stayed the way I wanted it to! Eye shadow gathering in the crease...smudges left and right...my face make-up needing regular touch-ups as well. A pain!

When I started watching YouTube beauty tutorials, I learned about primer. Primer assures that you can put your make-up on in the morning, and by noon it looks pretty much the same as it did when you stepped out!

On my eyelid, I usually just use Elf eyelid primer. It costs ONE DOLLAR at Target (and some other locations.) I usually go over that with a matte color that's close to my own skin color. The rest of my eye make-up then stays on beautifully.

There are other, more expensive eyelid primers, but Elf works fine for me.

On my face, prior to putting on my foundation, I usually use Rimmel Fix and Perfect Pro. It's not expensive, you can get it at most drugstores, and it makes a world of difference.

I'm participating today in Visible Monday!