What am I wrong?

Aug 28, 2015

Phylicia V.

When I watch YouTube tutorial I see the guru's eyeshadow look so good and blend so seamlessly. But when I apply eyeshadows, it looks like a one big mess. I'm using a primer, and transition color, and I blend until my arms sore but it still looks messy. I used makeup geek and morphe eyeshadows.

Lid- bitten (MUG)
Transition- flame (morphe)
Crease- cocoa bear (MUG)
Inner corner- wink for pink (morphe)
Brow highlight- in the spotlight foiled eyeshadow (MUG)

**excuse my ratchet eyebrow lol**

Aug 28, 2015

Sabrina K.

I know what you mean! YouTube girls makes it look soo easy don't they! I think your got the right concept down but I can also see what you mean, in the picture it looks like you only used 3 colors - a highlight, a lid and a transition color! It's like the crease color disappears a bit in the other colors! Maybe you are over blending? Or maybe using colors that are to close to each other in shade?

Aug 28, 2015

Emily W.

Make sure your brushes are clean, sometimes trapped oils and leftover shadow deep in the brush can cause the blending to get muddy.

Aug 28, 2015

Alma M.

When you watch the video's are you applying it exactly how they're doing it?Have you kept your own eye shape in mind when trying to achieve the look? if not you should because that could be part of the issue,you need to consider your own shapes versus their's when applying makeup.Another that comes into play is your drowning your lid with to much colors and when you over blend they just morph into one. Not all shadow looks need 4 to 5 colors to get the same result sometimes if your lucky you can do the same with less color and working with your eye shape.To many give themselves huge frustration when they try something out like shadow when truthfully you don't really need all those color's.here's something I think should help you feel more relaxed.You got it down just look how pretty you blended the colors.A Artist or anyone doesn't need 20 colors to make pretty,nor has the opportunity to push or edit a look,they give you what's real, what you did was a true finish for anyone and your getting it,so keep at it, don't compare it to what's a still image of a moment in time on camera or picture on YT or Insta moments. :)

Aug 28, 2015

Alyx T.

Alma is right. Plus consider skin tones. Even if the guru in the video is the same shade as you, she might be a different tone and colors may appear different on her vs you. Plus watch how they blend it, like the motion of their brush. Sometimes a few simple windshield wiper motions will do enough blending, because if you blend to much you are just taking away color and mixing them basically rather than that seamless blend into each color. Also take into account what brush they use vs yours. If they're using a wide fluffy brush and you're using a dense narrow one it'll be different results

Aug 29, 2015

Alma M.

Thank you Alyx, I would like to just mention that the brush doesn't really give a different result it truly comes down to the person skill you can achieve a look with almost any shape brush that fits the area. Windshield motion fades and softens a color not truly blending a shadow. :)

Aug 29, 2015

Phylicia V.

Sabrina, I may be over blending my eyeshadows. I keep blending because for some reason I feel like the line is harsh lol. And I will try to use two very different color for the transition and crease color and see how that'll work out. Thank you for responding.

Aug 29, 2015

Phylicia V.

Emily, that may be it as well. I will purchase a brush cleaner. Do you have a good one you can recommend? I've been using a little of dish washer soap with olive oil to clean my brushes but I don't clean it often because I don't wear eyeshadow often.

Aug 29, 2015

Phylicia V.

Kristen, I alternate between urban decay and Milani primer.

Aug 29, 2015

Phylicia V.

Alma, I do not keep in mind my eye shape vs. theirs. I shouldn't but wasn't thinking about it, thank you for bringing that out. I do notice that my upper eyelid does droop over my bottom lid. Could that be the issue as well?

Aug 29, 2015

Phylicia V.

Alyx, first of all, I love the way you spell your name 😀.

It could be that reason too. I plan on purchasing more blending brushes on morphe website.

Aug 29, 2015

megan l.

Literally story of my life... lol.

Aug 29, 2015

Diego G.

I've learned to start with very little product and blend and start start to intensify the color as I go. I ha the same problem before as well. I used to pack my brush with eyeshadow and it wouldn't blend as the video but when you start with a bit of product an work your way up to the color pay off you want then I'm sure you'll get it just right. Blending brushes might also help. Also wash your brushes, they don't blend right after a while.

Aug 29, 2015

Phylicia V.

Thank you so much Diego for your advice. I will try that.

Aug 29, 2015

V W.

Maybe your colors are too close. Also try using a base (foundation or concealer would work) before applying shadow. That makes neutrals pop for me.

Aug 30, 2015

Natalie D.

Maybe it's a combination of a little to much product and to close colors.

Aug 30, 2015

Nikki D.

It could be the brushes you're using. I remember hearing here on BL that cheap quality brushes can unevenly dispense eyeshadow which can lead to blending problems.

Aug 30, 2015

Leila R.

I would recommend watching batakash beauty's eyeshadow basics 101 on YouTube. Her video is extremely informative and helpful in blending and whatnot. Another problem I see arising a lot is that many beauty gurus have extremely large eyelids. Their crease starts up very high and it leaves them a lot of room for blending and whatnot. It can make things more difficult for those of us with creases that are a little lower down.