How to Do Chrome Eyes

Co-authored by Alana Schober

Last Updated: August 10, 2021 References

If you’re searching for a bold, dazzling new way to do your eye makeup, look no further than chrome eyes. Ditch your everyday matte looks and intensify your gaze with this metallic silver color. While it can be daunting to work with such a shimmery, dramatic color, you don’t need to be a pro to create this look. With a few key products and some careful application, you can rock perfect chrome eyes.

Part 1

Part 1 of 2:
Applying the Eyeshadow

1
Put eye shadow primer on your lids. Makeup primer is a good foundation for any eye shadow look, but it’s especially important when you’re using bold shadows. Nothing will ruin your chrome eye makeup more than it creasing or smudging all over your face. A primer will smooth out and perfect your skin while also giving your makeup a sticky base to adhere to. It will help your makeup stay put and last all day and night.^{[1]
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- You can find primers at your local pharmacy or beauty supply store. A regular makeup primer will work fine, but there are also primers made specifically for your eyelid.
- Let your primer soak into your skin for a couple minutes before starting to apply any product.
2
Start by applying a transition color to your crease and outer corner. Like with any other look, you want to avoid stark borders. The key to this chrome look is to make it look blended and dimensional. Before you begin brushing on the chrome shadow, use a fluffy eyeshadow brush to apply a soft brown or cream color to your crease and outer corner.^{[2]
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Expert Source

Alana Schober
Pout Pro Makeup Artist
Expert Interview. 15 June 2021.} This will help to carve out the crease, adding dimension before you begin applying your main color.^{[3]
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- Blend out your transition color with your fluffy brush.
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3
Apply your chrome eye shadow across your lid. After you’ve applied your transition shade, it’s time to apply the showstopper. To apply this most precisely, use a flat concealer brush or a flat shadow brush.^{[4]
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Expert Source

Alana Schober
Pout Pro Makeup Artist
Expert Interview. 15 June 2021.} Begin brushing it onto the center of your lid, staying below your crease. Brush your chrome shadow to the inner corner, and then bring it outwards until it meets the transition shadow at the crease and outer corner. An added bonus of applying the transition color first is by creating a border for you to apply your chrome shadow within.^{[5]
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- If you’re using a powder shadow, you may want to spray your flat brush with a bit of setting spray to dampen the product before applying it. This will help you get that really pigmented, opaque chrome color that you want without having to apply several layers of powder.^{[6]
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4
Create a smoky effect by blending out the chrome shadow. Pick up a bit of light brown shadow onto your fluffy brush. Bring this around the chrome shadow you just applied. By bringing this shadow along the crease and the outer corner, you will soften up the border of the chrome color. Continue blending this until the edges of the chrome shadow are soft and more gradual.^{[7]
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5
Apply a dark shadow to your outer corner. Like with most shadow looks, you want to apply your darkest color yet to the outer corner. For this chrome look, a dark brown or a black will do the trick. Using your fluffy brush, pat the dark shadow along your outer corner. Then, start blending again! You want to blend this dark color into your chrome color so that it appears as though the chrome transitions into the dark shadow seamlessly.^{[8]
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6
Use a small brush to apply shadow to your lower lash line. It’s important to add a bit of balance to this look by bringing product below your eyes as well. Pack a bit of your dark, outer corner color onto a small brush. Then, carefully sweep that along your lower lash line, bringing it about half way across your eye.^{[9]
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Part 2

Part 2 of 2:
Finishing Your Eyes

1
Use a bit of shimmery silver eyeliner in your inner corner. You can find a variety of silver and glitter eyeliners at pharmacies and beauty supply stores. Rather than lining your entire eye with it, simply apply it your bottom lash line in the inner corner. Bring it outwards until it meets the dark eye shadow you smudged on your bottom lash line, about halfway across your eye.^{[10]
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- This glitter eyeliner helps to create a more cohesive look on your eyes, bringing the metallic chrome color to the bottom of your eye.
- Additionally, the light color and sparkle adds a highlight to your inner corner, which makes your eyes appear bigger and brighter.
2
Apply black eyeliner to your waterline. This technique is called “tightlining.” By applying a black eyeliner on your thin waterline where it will sit between your shadow and your eye, it will create contrast with the whites of your eyes and really make them pop. With heavy eye shadow looks, it’s easy for the shadow to weigh your eyes down and make them look small. Tightlining will combat this, making your eyes look big and bright.^{[11]
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- To tightline your bottom waterline, gently pull the skin below your eye a bit so that your waterline is fully exposed. Then, carefully sweep your eyeliner along your waterline from inner to outer corner.
- To tightline your top lid, simply apply your eyeliner as close as you possibly can to the base of your lashes.
3
Apply mascara. It’s crucial to have dark, full eyelashes to stand out against the shadow. First, curl your lashes using an eyelash curler. Bring the tool to the base of your lashes and press down for about five seconds. Then, apply your favorite black mascara. Position the wand at the base of your lashes and gently wiggle it as you sweep it down your lashes.^{[12]
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- For extra volume, apply a second or even third coat of mascara. Let each coat dry in between.
- If mascara isn’t cutting it, pop on a pair of false eyelashes.
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Community Q&A

Question

How do you make sunken eyes pop?

Alana Schober
Pout Pro Makeup Artist
Alana Schober is a Professional Makeup Artist at Pout by Lipsticknick, an inclusive beauty bar in Los Angeles, California. With over a decade of experience, Alana specializes in hair and makeup. As a Licensed Comselotologist, she has worked for both MAC Cosmetics and Paul Mitchell. Alana's celebrity clientele includes Iggy Azalea, Solange, YG, and ASAP Nast. She has worked on campaigns with Nike, Adidas, Morphe, Jaclyn Hill Cosmetics, and Quay. Alana has also worked on countless music videos and photoshoots and her work has been featured on two billboards in Los Angeles.

Alana Schober

Pout Pro Makeup Artist

Expert Answer

Try applying a silver metallic shadow in the inner tear ducts of your eyes. Then, add a little bit of mascara to finish off the look.