How to Apply Metallic Eyeshadow

Co-authored by Katya Gudaeva

Last Updated: August 10, 2021 References

Metallic eye shadows can add a dash of sophistication to your everyday look. You can also use metallic eye shadows to add glamour to an evening look. Start by learning the best ways to put it on and by choosing the right colors for your look.

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:
Putting It on Flawlessly

1
Add a primer first. A primer is just a light makeup you apply to your eyelids before eye shadow. It can help keep your eye shadow in place, which is good for metallic eye shadows since they are more likely to come off.^{[1]
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Expert Source

Katya Gudaeva
Professional Makeup Artist
Expert Interview. 11 April 2019.} Plus, it can really make the color and shimmer pop.^{[2]
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- Apply the primer across the the top of your eyelid, going all the way up to your eyebrow.
2
Press down rather than brushing. If you sweep across the top of your eyelid, you'll end up with glitter all across your face. Instead, gently press down on the eyelid with a padded brush, so you press the eye shadow into the skin, holding it in place.^{[3]
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- You can also use a flat brush to apply metallics.^{[4]
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3
Work from the eye line outward. With your next color, press it along the eye line, moving from where you ended the lighter color to the outer corner of your eye. Press it into this line, keeping towards the eye, then move upward after you've finished adding color in this area.^{[5]
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4
Don't take it above the crease.^{[6]
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Expert Source

Katya Gudaeva
Professional Makeup Artist
Expert Interview. 11 April 2019.} You may take your eye shadow above your crease at times, and that's fine. However, with metallics, it's best to stay down lower, at least with the main color. Covering the crease with a metallic just makes it stand out more.^{[7]
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Part 2

Part 2 of 3:
Deciding on the Right Shadow and Color

1
Choose a shimmer. For a more sophisticated look, try a shimmer rather than one that has large pieces of glitter.^{[8]
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Research source} Of course, for a fun night out on the town, including a funky dance club, you may want to opt for the glittery kind instead.
2
Pick the right color for your skin tone.^{[9]
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Expert Source

Katya Gudaeva
Professional Makeup Artist
Expert Interview. 11 April 2019.} For lighter, skins tones, pick a platinum, silver, or rose gold. For more olive-colored skin, try gold, rose gold, or bronze. Darker skin tones can get away with any of these shades.^{[10]
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- Rose gold goes well with any skin tone.
3
Don't use more than two colors. Because metallics tend to stand out more, using more than two colors at once can make them seem like too much. Stick to one or two colors to make your metallic eye shadow seem more up-to-date.^{[11]
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Part 3

Part 3 of 3:
Trying Different Techniques

1
Try a lighter color on the inner corner. Using a lighter metallic color, such as a sparkling white, on the inner corner of the eye helps make your eyes look brighter. It also makes them look a bit wider, opening them. Start in the corner, and press it in with a small padded brush. Go a third of the way across the top of your eye.^{[12]
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- You can also just apply metallics to the corner of your eye, such as a bit of gold in the corner, and leave the rest of your eyelids bare or choose a matte color.^{[13]
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2
Add some to just the upper lid. Another way to add a bit of metallic pop without going all out is to just add it on top of another color. Once you've added your other color, brush a bit of your metallic color into the middle of your upper lid, blending it in just a bit.^{[14]
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3
Pair it with matte colors. Because metallics stand out so much, try using a less glamorous matte shade with it, particularly a more neutral color. You can use the matte shade to help soften the edges by blending the metallic in.^{[15]
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4
Use it as the dominant shadow. You can also make your metallic shadow the dominant color. Start at the base of the eye lid at the lash line, near the inner corner. Press it in along the line, then press it upward until you reach the crease. You can also add a dash on your lower lid.^{[16]
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- You can also run a highlighter color just under your brow line before adding in your main color up to your crease. The main color should be darker than the highlighter.^{[17]
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Community Q&A
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Question

How do you fix eyeshadow when you make a mistake?

Katya Gudaeva
Professional Makeup Artist
Katya Gudaeva is a Professional Makeup Artist and the Founder of Bridal Beauty Agency based in Seattle, Washington. She has worked in the beauty industry for over 10 years and worked with companies such as Patagonia, Tommy Bahama, and Barneys New York and with clients such as Amy Schumer, Macklemore, and Train.

Katya Gudaeva

Professional Makeup Artist

Expert Answer

Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.

Dip a Q-Tip into water to remove the makeup and clean up the line. Since it's eyeshadow, a Q-Tip will work.
Question

How do I apply electric eyeshadow?

Cecilia Flores

Top Answerer

Use a white cream product (white concealer, white foundation, white cream paint, white shadow primer, white eyeliner) to make the colors pop. Use a very light transition shade and slowly build up the bright shadow slowly, blending it out as you go. If you want to keep the eyes the focus of the face, use a nude lipstick (medium to light skin tones) or black (dark skin tones).