Expert Makeup Tips from Tana D’Amico: The Classic Eye

What I call the Classic Eye can also be referred to as the three-eyeshadow eye, normally consisting of a light, medium and darker colour – most often , and recommended for Zoomers, in a monochromatic palette. For example, browns, beiges and taupes; or lilacs, purples and plums.

This look is good for making the eyes appear brighter, rested and further apart. Great for a professional look or for someone who just loves to wear makeup for either daytime or evening. It’s one step removed from a Smokey Eye look, giving definition without quite as much intensity.

To best achieve this look or, for that matter, any number of looks with eyeshadows, you will need the correct brushes to reach the desired effect. If you can, try and invest in good quality brushes. If you take care of them properly, they will last you for YEARS! I’ve had most of mine for more than 10 years – and I use mine daily on multiple faces! Imagine!

For natural-haired brushes, use the same shampoo as you would use on your hair. Soak them in shampoo and water, then rinse in warm water and simply pat the brushes gently to soak up excess water, then lay flat to dry. It’s that simple! Synthetic-haired brushes can be cleaned with regular dishwashing soap. Synthetic brushes are normally used for concealer, and some are good foundation (some are a blend, or real and synthetic). Also, eyebrow brushes can be synthetic – the one I use is. I find it deposits colour on skin better than real hair when it comes to eyebrow brushes.

To begin, to lay down the lightest colour on your eyelid onto the two thirds closest to your tear ducts. You will need a medium-sized flat stiff brush – real hair, synthetic or a blend. This type of brush allows you to deposit plenty of colour on the lid. It’s used for packing on colour as opposed to sweeping it on.

Next, you will need a medium-sized fluffy dome-shaped brush. This is to be used in your crease area to sweep on a medium shade, sometimes in a windshield washer motion and, other times, depending on what your eyes look like, you will apply it in a U shape, for people with hooded eyes for example.

Then, you will need a smaller domed brush to place your third colour within the crease colour you’ve already done, and mostly on the outer third, to provide further depth and definition. This smaller stiffer brush can also be used to line your lower lash line in a soft smudgy application. For a more precise application on your lower lash line, you can use a smaller pointed or even an angle brush to get more colour very close to the lower lashes with either dry or wet shadow. Wetting the shadow will make it darker and also helps to really stay in place once it’s dried. Some people prefer to use a pencil, gel liner or even liquid liner depending on how defined you want it to look, liquid liner being the strongest look and shadow being the softest.

And finally, you will need a large fluffy blending brush to help you blend all of the colours you have just applied to ensure a soft, diffused look. If you are going to wear this classic eye look, you will want to also make sure to fill in your eyebrows where needed to really give you that polished look and balance everything out.  Also, as mentioned in a previous video, the visual lift filling in your brows provides is key as we age.

As I watched the video again, even I was pleasantly surprised at how pretty our model Gillian looked once the look was completed – and we hadn’t even done her blush or lips yet! The transformation was quite remarkable. And really the whole reason we started this series was to be able to offer you as many useful tips as possible and to bring your best self forward! When you know better, you do better!

Once again readers, it’s been a pleasure! Please, send me your feedback or questions!
Best, Tana