Whether you love or hate it, eyeshadow isn’t going anywhere.

If you’re a makeup enthusiast, your TikTok feed is probably jam-packed with the latestmakeup tutorialsand trends.

Replicating those looks, however, can be harder than those quick tutorial videos make it seem.

Woman applying eyeshadow

If you’re feeling overwhelmed just thinking about it, fear not.

To create a professional look, you don’t have to be a makeup artist.

Read on as we answer your most burning questions about eyeshadow.

Woman holding makeup brushes

We bet you’ll be ready to create a kickass smoky eye by the end of it.

Let’s dive in!

What tools do I need to apply eyeshadow?

Woman applying foundation

If you want to create a professional look, however, you will need the right tools.

In this case, makeup brushes.

You heard the man.

Woman applying primer

Now, you don’t have to buy a dozen brushes to get the job done.

An angled blending brush, on the other hand, makes blending smaller areas a breeze.

Should I apply eyeshadow before or after putting on makeup?

Woman applying eyeshadow

Claudia Soare, president and creative director of Anastasia Beverly Hills, agrees with Gene.

As a precaution, she recommends you apply some translucent powder to the area below your eyes.

Do I need to apply a primer beforehand?

Woman applying eyeshadow

Any longer than that, however, requires some extra TLC.

This is especially true during the hot summer months.

When attempting bold looks, primer is also essential to ensure they have staying power.

Woman getting eyeshadow applied by a makeup artist

If you don’t have an eyelid primer, fear not your trusty concealer will usually work just fine.

Apply a translucent powder afterward and start experimenting with a new look.

What is the best way to apply eyeshadow?

Powder and cream eyeshadows

Any excess oil on your lids will cause your hard work to be invisible by noon.

She recommends using micellar water it’s quick and effective.

Next, you will apply your primer.

Various liquid eyeshadows

As for system, mixing light and dark colors always work great, makeup artist Anna Lingis toldGlamour.

Just be careful not to blend too much this will cause a patchy look.

If you want to play with bright colors, makeup artist Huda Kattan has a great tip.

Various eyeshadow palettes

How important is blending?

If you thought blending eyeshadow was optional, we’re here to tell you that it absolutely isn’t.

If you don’t blend properly, chances are your eyeshadow usually looks like you experimented with face paint.

Man wearing rainbow eyeshadow

Blending is the secret sauce to creating a polished and natural look.

Even though so many of us tend to skip this step, it’s not that hard to do.

Grab yourfavorite blending brushand gently blend the colors on the outer corner of your eyelid and crease.

Women applying makeup

If you accidentally over blend, add a little bit of color back in.

Then blend again if necessary.

Don’t have translucent powder on hand?

Different eye shapes

Use an eyeshadow shade that matches your skin tone instead.

Giannone says that applying a bit to the brow bone can help improve that blended look.

How do I find my eyelid’s crease?

Woman with yellow eyeshadow

What’s the difference between powders and creams?

Of course, it’s perfect if this is what you’re into.

On the other hand, powder eyeshadows allow you to play with different colors and have incredible staying power.

Woman with smoky eyeshadow

The downsides are that powder eyeshadow takes a lot longer to apply.

What about liquid and glossy eyeshadows?

If you’re not into powders or creams, you could considerglossy or liquid eyeshadows.

While a gloss provides shine, liquid eyeshadows are known for providing insane color.

Their packaging match that of a lip gloss, complete with a similar applicator.

Liquid eyeshadow dries on your lids, making it more likely to stick around all day.

How do I spot a quality product?

It can be tricky to know if the eyeshadow palette you’re eyeing is worth buying.

Typically, you’ll only know whether you bought a good product once you use it.

According toBeautyBrainsBlush, the easier the eyeshadow is to blend, the higher the quality of the product.

Eyeshadows that create blotches of color are usually subpar products.

Sometimes a bad base can cause this to happen, too, so do some troubleshooting first.

Something else to look out for is the pigment.

The more pigment, the better the product.

Eyeshadow that builds easily is also typically of good quality.

Something else to look out for is the product’s staying power.

A good eyeshadow will stick around all day long.

Last but not least, you’d want to pay attention to how the eyeshadow feels on your skin.

Cheap eyeshadow products are more likely to cause skin irritation and can even wreak havoc on your eyes.

This is because they typically contain more harmful ingredients than their higher-quality counterparts.

How do I choose the right color for my eyes?

Choosing the right eyeshadow palette for your eye color can be a little daunting.

After all, how do you know what’ll work best if you’re not a professional makeup artist?

Luckily, picking the right shade isn’t nearly as complicated as we all tend to think.

“For instance, if your eyes are blue then use warmer shades with hints of orange or coral.

Simple enough, right?

Of course, it’s possible for you to experiment and play around to see what you like.

As a general rule of thumb, warm tones work great for people with brown eyes.

Think purple, gold, and any other shade that qualifies as “warm.”

Hazel eyes, on the other hand, work great with green, pink, or purple eyeshadows.

How do I choose the right color for my skin tone?

Depending on which one of these undertones is present, you either have a warm or cool skin tone.

If your skin appears to have more of a yellow or golden hue, you have a warm undertone.

You have a cool undertone if your skin appears to have a pink or blue hue.

Once you figure this out, choosing the perfect eyeshadow palette will be a breeze.

How do I use eyeshadow to compliment the shape of my eyes?

“Using a light tone or shimmery eyeshadow will bring forward and open up.

Can you use eyeshadow as an eyeliner?

The moisture will turn the powder into a paste, making it easy to apply to your eye line.

Another option is using a setting spray to wet the brush.

If you don’t have water or setting spray, eye drops also do a great job.

Don’t have any of the above handy?

you could use the eyeshadow just as it is.

If it’s a creamy eyeshadow, it’ll be much easier to achieve the desired look.

How can I create the perfect smoky eye?

We all want to create the perfect not-trying-too-hard smoky eye, but it can be easier said than done.

Luckily, experts have some tips to make this classic look less daunting.

Speaking toMindBodyGreen, makeup artist Gargi Patel explained that three colors are all you gotta create this look.

She adds that you’ll need brushes to blend the colors, so double-check you have those on hand.

Only apply the dark shade to a third of your eyelid, and blend properly.

Patel says it’s possible for you to also utilize the light color to highlight your brow bone.

Hello, effortless smoky eyes!