Shimmery, Copper Eye Tutorial!!

I'm a huge fan of warm tones.  I wear only gold jewelry, my favorite color is beige, and I (more often than not) gravitate towards brown/copper/tan/etc. eye makeup.  With warm(ish) weather finally here, it's always nice to lighten up your makeup routine, especially for every day.  I thought this look was perfect for a gorgeous spring/summer day -- easy to wear, simple to apply (it only requires a few tools and products), and in a beautiful warm toned color palette.

Tutorial after the jump!




Products Used:

Sephora Color Anthology 2013 Holiday Limited Edition Palette ($40 on Amazon)

[Light Champagne color - 2nd row, 2nd color from the left

Light Copper color - 2nd row, 3rd color from the left

Dark Copper color - 3rd row, 2nd color from the right

Chocolate brown color - 3rd row, 1st color on the right]

MAC Cosmetics Eye Shadow Pigment in "Tan" ($21)

Sephora Collection Pro Precision Smudge Brush #29 ($18)

Sigma Beauty E35 Tapered Blending Brush ($14)

Urban Decay Cannonball Ultra Waterproof Mascara ($20)

How-To:

1.  Start with a clean eye!  Then PRIME, prime, prime!  Prime both the upper and lower lids.  This step is crucial for this look -- it only uses shimmery shadows, so they need a good base to stick to for minimal fallout! 

2.  Using a large, fluffy blending brush, apply a light, shimmery champagne color to the inner third of your eyelid.  (I used the same blending brush for the entire top lid, with every color.  Just make sure to wipe off any excess color in between changing shades!)

3.  Apply a light copper shimmery shadow to the middle third of your eyelid.  This application doesn't need to be perfect here, because a lot of this color will be blended out later!

4.  Apply a darker copper, shimmery shadow to the outer third of your eyelid.

5.  On top of the dark copper shadow, apply a small amount of a chocolate colored shadow.  Try to concentrate it right on the outer tip of your eye. 

6.  TIME TO BLEND!  Blending is key in gradient or ombre eyeshadow looks.  You want the transitions between the colors to be seamless, with no harsh lines whatsoever.  So blend between the shades, as well as above the color near your brow bone, so the eyeshadow doesn't just awkwardly cut off below your eyebrow in a weird-looking line.

7.  This step can be a tad tricky if you aren't used to wearing or working with loose pigments.  This type of shadow is extremely concentrated in color, so LESS is MORE!  Pick up only a tiny amount of the pigment powder onto a fluffy brush, and tap off any excess product.  PRESS the pigment onto your eyelid and use a dabbing, patting motion to set the color.  Don't blend it in like crazy -- this will virtually ruin the effect of the pigment here!

8.  Curl your lashes and add mascara!  Just apply mascara to the top for now.  (Side note: can we please just talk about the UD Cannonball mascara?  I know I'm fortunate enough to have pretty long lashes naturally.. but it honestly looks like I have on a pair of wispy falsies here.  This mascara is legit, legit, legit.)

9.  With a small smudging brush or pencil brush, apply the dark copper shadow to your lower lash line.  You can extend the color out a little lower onto your lid if you want a more blown out look.

10.  Using the light champagne color again, apply that shadow to the inner portion of your lower lash line.  Then sweep that same color up into the inner corner of your eyes.  This will create a subtle highlight effect and make your eyes really pop.  

11.  Apply mascara to your bottom lashes!  And you're all done!

This is in direct natural sunlight

This is what the makeup looks like in a diffused light

I personally don't think this look needs any eyeliner.  But of course you could go in and tightline your waterline, or even do a full liquid cat-eye on your top lid.  I think the shadows stand out on their own, though, and look gorgeous as-is!

xojaybee