Step 3 of My Makeup Process: Easy Eyes
The fastest way to do eyes, plus how to use that intimidating eyeshadow quad
I’m one of those “I don’t leave the house without eyes” girls. In my personal life, I’m all about a five-minute eye (especially a five-minute eye that doesn’t look like one). The secret to achieving this quick-yet-elevated holy grail is selecting the right combination of tools and products. While there are many winning combinations, the three below are my go-to’s.
IN THE CHAIR
Behind the scenes techniques to enhance your makeup routine
1. The One-Shadow Wonder
I love makeup that you can put on with your fingers—it’s impossible to mess up and it speaks to my inner child. This look lets you finger paint as an adult, without getting in trouble.
Me in this look on set last week. I’m wearing Chantecaille Luminescent Eye Shade in Pangolin.
Products needed:
Gel formula eyeshadow: In particular, I love the Chantecaille Luminescent Eye Shade. There are eight colors, all lovely. I’m into this formula because it looks very different depending on how you choose to apply it—use a brush for a soft wash or use your finger for major color payoff.
Mascara: One of my favorites is the Covergirl Lashblast Volume Waterproof Mascara in Very Black. It has a great wet formula that coats lashes evenly and looks even more fabulous with two coats.
Tools needed:
A domed eyeshadow brush: I like the Hourglass No. 4 Crease Brush
Your pointer finger
How to do it:
Use your finger to gently press some eyeshadow as close to the roots of your upper lashes as possible, then continue pressing color into your entire eyelid. Make sure to get all the way to the inner corner—you don’t want to leave any gaps.
Take your domed eyeshadow brush, swirl it in the eyeshadow to pick up some color, and knock off any excess (this last step saves you from having shadow fall down your face). With a windshield-wiper-like motion, blend eyeshadow into the crease. This technique seamlessly combines the intense, finger-applied product on the lid with a soft, more diffused wash of color in the crease.
Finish with a few healthy coats of mascara, just on the top lashes.
2. The Mighty Mighty Pen
This is perhaps the quickest of my go-to eye looks, but it will definitely stay all day. Rain, sweat, mud… this look will keep up with whatever you get up to.
Examples of this look that I did for Julep Beauty. The shade is Khaki.
Products needed:
Eyeshadow: Julep Beauty Eyeshadow 101 Crème-to-Powder Eyeshadow Stick (perhaps in two shades if you feel like overachieving with little effort). I love this waterproof eyeshadow stick because it comes in 30 plus shades for what feels like endless options and it has an attached sponge for blending.
Mascara: The Charlotte Tilbury Legendary Lashes Volume 2 Mascara is my favorite non-waterproof. It’s super black and leaves a glamorous vinyl-like coating.
Tools needed:
None (really!)
How to do it:
Run the pen first along the upper lashline, and really get it in there to make sure there are no gaps.
Continue coloring (yes, this product gives Crayola vibes) in the lid until you reach the crease.
Remove the cap to reveal the attached sponge and soften any lines. Pro tip: Work rather quickly as this is a waterproof product, meaning it won’t move after it sets.
If you’d like to take it up a notch, select a second color, preferably a deeper shade of the same tone or black/brown. Trace this second color along the outside edge of the upper lash line and smudge.
Finish up with a healthy coating of mascara.
Extra credit: If you feel like going from day to night later, trace the first shade along the lower lashes and blend. When adding color under the lower lashes, don’t forget to follow up with a thin, single coat of mascara on the lower lashes.
3. Easy Sophistication x4
Full disclosure, this last five-minute option may take more like six minutes, but it’s definitely worth the extra few seconds.
Products needed:
An eyeshadow quad: I know quads can be intimidating, but selecting the right one can take the fear out of using one of these bad boys. Additionally, once you master the order of operations for an eyeshadow quad, you can basically do anything eye-wise! For a staple shadow quad, I’d recommend choosing a neutral pallet—that way, it matches everything you have in your wardrobe for fearless everyday wear. As a specific suggestion, consider my go-to, the Chanel Les 4 Ombres Multi-Effect Quadra Eyeshadow in Tissé Essentiel. As its name implies, it’s… essential. It consists of a perfect bone, a toasted almond, a perfect soft brown, and an espresso for lining. While you can use this and any quad pallet in a myriad of ways, I love using this one as described below.
Mascara: Be matchy-matchy and do the Chanel Le Volume de Chanel Mascara. It has a great brush that grabs every single lash.
Tools needed:
Eyeshadow brushes: Chanel Les Pinceaux de Chanel Retractable Dual-Ended Eyeshadow Brush and Chanel Les Pinceaux de Chanel Eye-Contouring Brush. The former has caps, so you don’t have to worry about how you’re storing it. One fluffy end buffs and blends, while the rounded end packs on color with ease. The latter applies eyeliner the easy way—great for detailing and smudging all in one.
How to do it:
Brush the bone color from crease to brow bone with the fluffy end of the dual-ended brush.
Apply the beige from lashline to crease with the rounded tightly packed end of the eyeshadow brush.
Sweep the toasted almond along the crease with the fluffy end of the dual-ended brush.
Flip the brush over and use the tightly packed end to smudge the beige underneath the lower lashes.
Add the espresso delicately to the upper lashline using the eye-contouring brush, concentrating on the outer edge, and smudge a bit—smudging looks cooler and takes the pressure off making a super-perfect line.
As always, add a couple coats of mascara to those top lashes for extra pop.
While this sounds like a lot, I promise you can get it down in six minutes. That’s the beauty of a game plan—you don’t have to think, just follow the steps!
FROM THE KIT
The products and trends worth knowing about now
My MVPs from Work This Week
Eisenberg Paris Mascara Définition Sourcils & Base pour les Cils
I’m really into eyebrow gels and use one every day. This one is a new favorite, and is brand new to me this week. It comes in three great colors that are easily distinguishable based on their packaging, so I can always grab the one I’m looking for.
Tatcha Original Aburatorigami Blotting Sheets
These are supersized—you only need one for your whole face. They easily remove excess oil without affecting the makeup. They’re also easily transportable in any handbag.
I love their original serum, and the Power Serum is even better. It just came out this week; I fortunately got to try it early and am already seeing a difference. It’s green beauty that works and only has 12 ingredients that work together to support the skin barrier, brighten your skin, and target signs of aging.
PHONE A FRIEND
Insight and beauty inspiration from my favorite people in the industry
Kiane von Mueffling, founder of Sold Out NYC (@soldout.nyc)
Do you have one of those friends that always looks super fashionable and relaxed at the same time? Kiane is that friend for me. This always-chic girlboss mom of two makes some of my favorite things, and is one of my favorite people.
Q: Who is your beauty inspiration?
Generally I’m drawn to those with timeless beauty and style. Less is always more for me (except for a winged eyeliner, I’ll never say no to that!).
Q: What’s your go-to day-to-day look right now?
Westman Atelier Super Loaded Tinted Highlight in Peau de Rosé (I use it on eyes too)
Maybelline Superstay Matte Ink Liquid Lipstick in Ringleader
Fashion-wise, I stick with classics—always a tank or tee, jeans, blazer, and loafers
Q: What’s your personal beauty philosophy?
GREAT skin. It doesn’t matter how much makeup you slather on your face if the base isn’t good. Obviously lovely skincare products help, but sleep, exercise, nutrition, and stress management are key.
Q: What are your beauty ride or dies?