How to Blend Eyeshadow Like an MUA

Have you ever been scrolling through your social media feeds only to land on a picture of a stunning, seamless eye makeup look? Chances are, perfectly blended eye shadow was involved. Do you have to blend eyeshadow? While technically the answer is no, there’s just something about a smooth transition between shades that’s beyond satisfying to the eye—not to mention seemingly difficult to recreate. Whether you’re a makeup newbie or simply have yet to master the art of blending, you’ve come to the right place. Below, we’re sharing tips on how to blend eyeshadow like a makeup artist—and master using an eyeshadow blending brush—so you can take your makeup skills to the next level.

TIP #1: ALWAYS START WITH PRIMER

First thing’s first—starting with an eye primer is a must to achieve a beautifully blended eye shadow look. You may be wondering what primer has to do with a blended look, and we’re here to tell you—everything! Creating a smooth, even base will allow your shadows to apply more smoothly, and thus, blend more easily. Swipe one on as the first step in your eye makeup look.

TIP #2: KEEP YOUR FORMULA IN MIND

If you’re asking yourself, “Why can’t I blend eyeshadow?” it could be due to the fact that you haven’t taken your eyeshadow formula into consideration. The type of eye shadow you use will determine the blending technique you use. If you’re using a powder eye shadow, you’ll want to use eye shadow brushes to seamlessly blend your look. Wondering how to blend eyeshadow with your fingers? Well, if you’re using a cream or liquid shadow like the L’Oréal Paris Brilliant Eyes Shimmer Liquid Eye Shadow Makeup, your fingertip will suffice, though you can use brushes if you prefer.

TIP #3: PICK THE RIGHT SHADOWS

If you think you’re doing everything right, but your shadows aren’t blending out as you want them to, it could be that your products—not your skills—are to blame. Some formulas blend better than others; it’s just how it is. If you’re partial to powders, try the L’Oréal Paris Infallible 24 HR Eye Shadow, which has a velvety formula that blends beautifully.

TIP #4: USE THE RIGHT TOOLS

When it comes to blending eye shadow, it’s all really comes down to having the right eye shadow brushes on-hand. You’ll want to have a packing brush and multiple fluffy eyeshadow blending brushes, as well as a tapered blending brush. Trust us, you’ll be amazed at how much of a difference a good eyeshadow blending brush can make. Your gradients will look so seamless, and your lower lash line will be better blended than ever.

TIP #5: LESS IS MORE

When it’s time to begin blending your eye shadow, start with only a little bit of product at a time. What we mean is, add only a small amount of eye shadow onto the outer corner of your eye, then blend it into your crease. You can always add more! Speaking of…

TIP #6: ADD LITTLE BY LITTLE

Rather than load up on color before blending, add a bit more eye shadow after each round of blending. This will guarantee each layer is thoroughly blended and result in a more seamless look overall. It’s much harder to blend a dark, packed-on shade all at once!

TIP #7: LAYER

Aside from building up your crease color, you can also deepen the look by layering. Try applying a slightly darker shade to the outer corner of your eye, then blend it out on the outer “V.” This will add more depth to your overall eye makeup look!

TIP #8: USE A TRANSITION SHADE

Whether you’re using contrasting hues or sticking with similar tones, having a transition shade to blend between your lid and crease color is a must. Typically, a transition shade is an eye shadow that’s in-between the two shadows you’re trying to blend together. Buff it onto any lines of demarcation to further blend your colors.

TIP #9: CLEAN YOUR TOOLS

By now, you should already know the importance of keeping your makeup brushes and blenders clean, but keeping your tools clean also comes into play when creating a flawlessly blended eye shadow look. Think about it: The last thing you want is for your eye makeup to be ruined by leftover eye shadow residue that wasn’t meant to be part of the look. No thanks!

Editor’s tip: Not sure how to keep your brushes clean? Head on over to our article, How to Clean Makeup Brushes and Makeup Blenders, for everything you need to know.

TIP #10: TAKE YOUR TIME

Most importantly, when it comes to how to blend eyeshadow, make sure to really take your time when blending colors. A seamless look cannot be rushed! Continue to move your blending brush back and forth until there’s not a line of demarcation in sight.

Next up: Now that you’re an expert blender, let’s test those skills with a simple eyeshadow tutorial. Here’s The Easy Eye Shadow Tutorial for Beginners.