Where did the use of eye makeup all begin?

Eye makeup has a long history: the earliest evidence of its use was recorded about 7,000 years ago, in 5000 BC Egypt. There, primarily green and black eye paints were used as a cosmetic enhancer in all sorts of social settings, and were primarily made of kohl. Kohl was traditionally made by grinding the mineral stibnite, which created a dark, alluring makeup. This was typically applied around the entire rings of the eyes. You can see direct evidence of how the Ancient Egyptians applied their makeup simply by looking at paintings of them from the time.

Today, eye makeup is made from a combination of four main ingredients: base fillers, binders, slip and preservatives. These all play an essential function in ensuring your makeup looks fantastic. Base fillers add texture and bulk to the eye makeup. They’re made of minerals like mica, talc and kaolin clay, which add elements of colour, shine and lustre to eye shadow powders and creams. Binders, like zinc, magnesium or vegetable oil, help eye makeup stick to your skin, while slip allows your eyeshadow to be applied easily across your skin. Preservatives are added to keep your eye makeup bacteria-free and to extend its lifespan.

Generally, eye makeup is considered anything which is applied to the eyes, eyelids, eyelashes, cheeks and brow bones. There are a few different types of eye makeup. While the term eye makeup is often used interchangeably with eyeshadow, there are slight differences, mostly in the sense that eye makeup includes other types of makeup for the eyes, like eyeliner and mascara. You can buy eye makeup in its most common form of a powder, but you can also buy it as a liquid, a pencil, a cream or a mousse. These differences often depend on what your eye makeup is being applied for and the specific style you want to embrace.

Now you understand the ins and outs of eye makeup, let’s get into some details about how to apply it.

How do I apply my eye makeup step by step?

Every makeup artist and beauty influencer will have their own specific technique for applying eye makeup. We would recommend exploring and experimenting to see what works best for you. However, there are a few basic steps that are universally considered as the default for applying makeup.

First thing’s first: prime your eyelids. To ensure you don’t crease your eyeshadow, wash your eyelids using a cleansing pad before you apply your makeup. Primer and translucent powders can also work well to prevent creasing. Primer will also allow your products to be applied smoothly, evenly and without resistance. Applying a small amount over your eyelids and brow bone will work a charm.

Apply your eyeshadow next. Here, there are a number of products you might like to use, but in general, apply your lighter tones first, your medium-tones next, then your darker tones last.

Eyeliner follows suit, be that a liquid, pencil or gel eyeliner, and after that, lashes and mascara. You might want to try a lash curler, or go straight for the mascara, pulling the brush through your lashes from root to tip. However, as we mentioned, many influencers show variation from these rules.

To assist your application, consider purchasing the necessary eye makeup accessories like powder brushes and pads, easily available online on iShopChangi.

Which eyeshadow palette is right for me?

The right eyeshadow will help your eyes look their best. By providing a depth, dimension and colour complement to the skin around your eyes – particularly your eyelids – eyeshadow allows your eyes to stand out and shine in a way that they wouldn’t otherwise be able to on their own. However, without some careful consideration about your eye colour, skin type or aesthetic, eyeshadow can run the risk of seeming jarring on your face, rather than complementary. As such, if you want to find the right eyeshadow palette for you, there are a few things to keep in mind.

As a rule of thumb, you will want to enhance the colour tone of your eyes or skin with the eyeshadow palette you’re using: so, people with blue eyes are best suited to warmer colours, like oranges, greens and pinks. This will provide a harmonious tonal contrast. Likewise, people with green or hazel eyes might like to choose purples or lilacs, while those with dark brown eyes can go for something with a dramatic tonal flair.

Similarly, skin colour matching is important. People with dark skin tones might want to stay closer to darker-coloured eyeshadow palettes, like those with navy, purple or maroon tones. Those with warm skin tones might opt for gold, pink or green for their eye shadow, while people with cooler skin colours might opt for blue, silver or peach. Think about what you would imagine might work on a painting, and try using those ideas when you apply your eyeshadow.

Eyeshadow styles

There are a number of different styles you can choose for your eyeshadow. One look which has been gaining in popularity recently is the Korean eye makeup look. Korean eye makeup often involves light shades, which contain a slight shimmer or shine. They will draw attention to your eyes quite dramatically.

Winged eyeliner is a go. However, to truly do justice to the K-Pop style, you can’t look past your skincare routine: try adding lotion, primer, BB cream and face powder before adding your eyeshadow.

Alternatively, try the black, smokey eye makeup look, by blending a matte, relatively neutral shade over your eyelids to create a base, before applying a darker-toned matte shadow to the outer parts of your eyes. With a pencil eyeliner, do the top and bottom parts of your lash lines, smoking the top edge with a pencil brush. Finally, blend the dark eyeshadow across your eyeliner and create that smooth, smokey gradient you’re going for. As an option, you can add a bit of brightness to your look by adding a glitter eyeshadow, or one with a light shimmer. Mascara can also bring everything together nicely.

iShopChangi is home to some of the best eye makeup brands in Singapore. Some brands are better-known for eyeliner or mascara, while others are known to be trailblazers in eyeshadow. In the final part of our guide, we’ll explore some of these brands in greater detail, examining which products are the best for each specific occasion.

Which is the best eyeshadow palette?

Starting out with eyeshadow palettes? Try your luck with the Bobbi Brown Luxe Eye Shadow. This metallic eyeshadow has a natural lustre to it, which will glint and glimmer wherever you go, attracting attention with a sparkle and shine. NARS Cosmetics has a range of products you might like to try in the eyeshadow department: start out with the brand’s Duo Eyeshadow, which comes in five colours: St Paul de Vence, Hammamet, Surabaya, Cordura and Kuala Lumpur. Soft, sweet and shiny, this eyeshadow contains a buttery matte look which will go smoothly against most skin types. The NARS Taj Mahal Quad Eyeshadow Chinese New Year Limited Edition is a limited-time offer celebrating the Chinese New Year, using colours reminiscent of the nation: yellow, peach, gold and purple.

There are plenty of eyeliners for you to explore on iShopChangi. The Eveline Eyeliner Pencil Waterproof Black is an affordable, accessible option for those starting out in the eyeliner game. The SENSAI Lasting Eyeliner Pencil comes in two vibrant, smooth colours which are resistant to blurring and colour migration, so you’ll be able to trust that they’ll stay put where you intended them to over the course of a long night. One of our softest, creamiest eyeliners is the M.A.C. Technakohl Pencil Eyeliner, which has a guaranteed eight-hour protection against sweat, water, humidity and smudging. This pick is non-acnegenic and has been specifically tested by ophthalmologists to ensure its high-quality.

What is the most popular mascara?

Start yourself off with the Revlon Ultimate All-In-One Mascara Blackest Black Waterproof, which provides volume, length, definition, lift, condition and colour to your lashes. Experienced users of mascara will appreciate the Bobbi Brown Eye Opening Mascara that gives a natural curl to your lashes and a bold, black flair, which will demand being noticed. The SkinSoul Switzerland’s Natural Volume Attack Mascara (Black) is similarly punchy, and will strengthen your lashes to give them a flamboyant, dramatic look.

Can I buy eyeshadow as a gift?

You can definitely buy eyeshadow as a gift! Some people want nothing more than a great set of their favourite makeup products. Take a look at the makeup collections on offer on iShopChangi, like the Bobbi Brown Sakura Collection Blossoming Eye Shadow Palette. Coming in a dazzling pink box, this eyeshadow palette from one of the world’s leading eye makeup brands will be an absolute delight to your gift recipient.

Other eye makeup products

Some other eye makeup products you might like to buy include the Australis Browz It Kit, which caters to all of your eyebrow needs. Coming with two brow powders, a brow wax, tweezers and a double-ended applicator, this brow kit comes in a neat case that serves as a handy travel companion wherever you find yourself. If you’re looking for primers, the NARS Smudgeproof Eyeshadow Base is also a great choice and will ensure that your makeup sets evenly across your eyes. The Vitamin Enriched Eye Base from Bobbi Brown combines a primer with a moisturiser, allowing you to rehydrate your skin while also preparing yourself for your eye makeup routine. Packed with multivitamins, this eye base will also improve the overall health of your face and skin, giving you a bonus nutrient kick.

If you’re still looking around and keen to explore, take a look at the makeup accessories available on iShopChangi, including makeup brushes, eyelash curlers and more. Take home a 168 Synthetic Large Angle Contour Face Brush from M.A.C. for applying blush, highlighter and bronzer, and the brand’s Brush Cleanser for when you’ve finished your routine. Or, shop through cotton pads, makeup pads, compacts, and beauty sets to your heart’s content.

Look your finest and let your eyes shine by checking out the eyeshadows available online on iShopChangi, from some of the best brands in Singapore, like Bobbi Brown, Revlon, SkinSoul Switzerland, M.A.C. and NARS. Shop for your favourite makeup products at duty-free prices, and enjoy huge savings island-wide. Buy $59 or more and gain access to free delivery across Singapore, and while you’re at it, sign up to Changi Rewards to benefit from even more exclusive savings, like 10% off your first product after joining. Give your eyes a natural lift and start shopping through iShopChangi’s eye makeup range today!