[Élistariel]

Does anyone have tips on how to apply eyeshadow when you don't have much surface area to work with? When I open my eyes, my eyelids all but disappear and then my eyebrows come down low enough that my eyelashes can just about touch them.

Here's a pic of what I mean. I have on one color of eyeshadow here and mascara, that's it. I've tried make up tutorials, but the girls doing them always have so much surface area to work with. I want to try the colorful looks I see, but it's like cramming 10 pounds of potatoes in a 5 pound sack. It just doesn't work. I cannot be the only one with this problem.

[Mindbear]

I have this problem too. The only thing that works for me is really intensely dark smoky eye look where I take the color below as well as above. You don't see much of the lid but it gives a me something!

[INTER]

I have the same issue, more or less. I´m not an expert make up artist but here it is my recommendation:
I design my eyebrows with less hair on the lower part, so then I can make the space wider.
I use MAC paint as a primer before using any eyeshadows (so then the eyeshadows stay) in a nude colour, it won´t change the colour.
Then I apply a soft colour (like pink, or lilac or green) eyeshadows.
Then eyeliner

You and your eyes are beautiful so do not worry too much about it.

[AdaK]

Some girls want eyelids that nearly touch their brows because they look sexy...

There's an advantage to every eye type.

[lafindesiecle]

i think there's a thread here somewhere about makeup for asian eyes -- this kind of structure is similar to the 'epicanthic fold' that many people of asian descent have, maybe that will be helpful or inspiring! (or even checking out images of asian girls and their makeup, etc.) so why not embrace it? some technical things might help -- like a smaller, straighter mascara brush. but there's also still plenty of ways to have fun with your eye makeup that aren't the looks demonstrated by caucasian girls with more visible eyelids -- like applying those bright colours as a thin line BELOW your eye for a more fun/playful look, or experimenting with cat eye liner or taking advantage of the smaller eyelid space to use really bright or dark colours that would look overwhelming on girls with larger eyelids.

[Élistariel]

If I were to put eyeshadow UNDER my eyes in my little neck of the woods the people here would think I'd gone off my rocker. I tried the cat-eye look in various forms once. My family HATED it with a flaming passion and would not shut up about it. I'm gonna check out those other things though.

[michyed]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mindbear I have this problem too. The only thing that works for me is really intensely dark smoky eye look where I take the color below as well as above. You don't see much of the lid but it gives a me something!

You are absolutely right! I have the same problem, and smokey dark eyes really help.

[Modernwilla]

You could try to pluck a little bit your eyebrows, it will ''open'' your eye (illusion) a bit more. Over and under. After, fill them in.

I tried, with a lame photo edit program, and lack of talent, to show you what I mean here



And the blue area is where you should put the darkest shade
On the inside corner, never wear dark, it will close your eye

You can wear eyeliner under since your lashes are pale

I hope it helped?

[lafindesiecle]

^^ i agree about the brow shaping too, i find shaping your brows can change the way your whole face looks! i get mine threaded and darken them a bit with pencil, and then use a light shadow on my browbone (or just put my foundation there and over my eyelids -- works a lot to open things up around there.

[luisa]

first you really should think about shaping your eyebrows, since it opens the eye
then i would recommend to put a light, maybe shimmery eyeshadow on your inner part of your movable eyelid (which doesn't disappear totally IMO). blend it from the inside of your eye to the outside. but only there and not any further than the crease. like that you emphasize the lid and make your eye look bigger.
on the part of the lid between the crease and your eyebrows your should put some dark eyeshadow (like grey, brown etc.) of course not up to your eyebrow, just blend it up from the crease.
def use a eyelash curler which opens the eye aswell. i would ditch liquid eyeliner since it closes the eye aswell. but that's just my experience.

i hope you understood what i was trying to explain

[michyed]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Modernwilla You could try to pluck a little bit your eyebrows, it will ''open'' your eye (illusion) a bit more. Over and under. After, fill them in. I tried, with a lame photo edit program, and lack of talent, to show you what I mean here And the blue area is where you should put the darkest shade On the inside corner, never wear dark, it will close your eye You can wear eyeliner under since your lashes are pale I hope it helped?

Very well done! Brows can make such a difference!

[Modernwilla]

Thank you thank you!

Well I tried, but I understood while making it on my photo editing program that I have no talent at all on screen but on a face it's the oposite hahaha

[helen-rox]

Never put a dark colour on the lid area it will make it look even smaller... Use a soft light hilighting tone on the lid focusing on the inner part of the lid. Only put your darker shade right in and just above your crease and blend upwards to balance the eye.

[Mindbear]

I wish I could do that beautiful cat eyeliner on my eyes, which are very similar to yours, if slightly smaller. It looks wrong though....I'm so jealous of people that can!