How to Use Eyeshadow On Your Cheeks & Lips

Do you have unused eyeshadows sitting in your makeup bag, just longing for a little love? While that hot pink or coral shadow may not be suitable for everyday wear on your eyelids, it might just be the perfect pop of color for your cheeks, lips, or elsewhere. Believe it or not, eyeshadow is entirely more versatile than we give it credit for. Eyehadows can double as lip color, cheek color, highlight, eyeliner, and so much more. Keep reading for our expert tips and tricks to maximizing the use of your favorite shadow shades.

Different ways to use eyeshadow

Whether you’re looking to darken your brows, give your skin a glow, or enhance your already perfect pucker, eyeshadow is a must-have in your makeup bag. No matter if you prefer cream or powder shadows, once you realize how multifunctional they really are, you’ll discover no shortage of uses for those fun, funky colors that you might’ve been too timid to wear on your eyes. The following are a few of the fresh, innovative ways in which you can use eyeshadow to practically create a full faced look.

Highlighter for contouring

Ever wonder what all of those pale, slightly shimmering shadows are good for besides emphasizing your brow bones? Whether it’s a soft glittering gold, or a dazzling shade of champagne, these colors make the ultimate highlighters. Draw attention to all of the right places with a touch of highlighter here and there. A little goes a long way, so start small and build your product as needed.

We recommend Skywalker or Pearl eye shadow.

How to use an eye shadow for cheek color

Want to know a secret to achieving that natural, sun-kissed glow? Eyeshadow makes an excellent alternative to your traditional cheek powder or cream blush. We all have that palette with bright, bold colors that we wouldn’t exactly wear as eyeshadow. However, these same colors often look beautiful when applied as a blush or contour.

Eye-popping peaches, pinks, and rosy reds may not enhance your eye color, but might just make the best blush you’ve ever worn. For powder shadows, simply dust a small amount onto your blush brush and apply as generously as you’d like. Or, if you prefer a dewier look, cream shadows are less drying, and blend into your skin rather than simply sitting on top.

We recommend Arwen or Jellyfish eyeshadows.

Using your eye shadow pigment for lip color

You know that shade of eyeshadow that you wish you could find in a cheek or lip color? Don’t waste your time browsing every cosmetic counter you meet, and make your own instead. Not only will you save money, you’ll discover a simple technique that you can use again and again to achieve a style that’s uniquely your own.

You can confidently dance the night away knowing that no one else in the room has replicated your look. Just apply your favorite colorless gloss, or lip balm and tap on your favorite shade to create long-lasting lip wear that’ll have everyone asking for your secret.

We recommend Dragon or Princess eye shadow.

Other ways to use eyeshadow

In addition to doubling as cheek and lip color, eyeshadow can come in handy in a number of other ways. Testing out a new look with liner? Use a bit of eyeshadow instead, and try before you buy! Running low on your usual brow definer? A touch of shadow should do the trick! Can’t stand those contour kits with shades that are two times too dark for your skin? Stop wasting your money on pricey palettes, when you can work with what you’ve already got tucked away in your makeup bag?

Mineral pigments can be used in many ways, providing endless possibilities when it comes to doing your makeup. Try using one shade to pull off a variety of looks to see what works best.

Our favorite eye shadows we recommend for cheek and lip colors

For lips and cheeks: Dragon and Jellyfish are two of our favorites to wear on our lips and cheeks. Dragon packs a punch with its deep red tone, while Jellyfish is a mauve pink.

For eyeliner: Create the smokey eye look with Strider and an angled brush. Or, for a more exotic look, opt for Mermaid or Twilek.

For eyebrows: Misty and Mirkwood each make excellent options for filling in your brows. Choose your shade according to your current hair color, but be sure not to overdo it.

By skin tone

Fair/ivory skin should try cool pink or plum tones

Fair/ivory skin with redness should try pale peach or coral tones

Medium/beige skin should try warm apricot or mauve tones

Dark/bronze skin should try bright berry or gold tones

For eye popping results

Blue eyes should try coral or pink tones

Hazel eyes should try gold or plum tones

Green eyes should try plum or mauve tones

Brown eyes should try gold or peach

Bonus Tips! Brushes for different application

You can use different makeup brushes for different types of application, and add layers for a deeper, more pigmented appearance.

For eyeliner: Use a damp, stiff angled side of the Moody Sisters multi-task brush to apply your mineral color as an eyeliner. Gently brush the color onto the bristles and tap off any excess. First, pull your eyelid to create a flat line. With small strokes work your way along both the upper and lower lashes.

For cheeks, use a pointed face brush to dab a small amount of color onto the upper cheek bones. If desired, you can add more for a richer color. Don’t forget to blend as your final step, or you’ll run the risk of looking just a little too rosey.

And finally for lip color, to transform your eyeshadow into the perfect lip color, start by applying your lip balm or gloss, so that the shadow has a base to stick to. Gently tap on the color with your fingertips, and then rub your lips together until the product is evenly distributed.. You can add more or less depending on the look you’re trying to achieve. Bonus tip, if you can’t quite find the lip shade you seek, try mixing different colors until you’ve created your perfect match.