Don't be Scurrred of Black Eye Shadow!

So, when I first started experimenting with makeup, every magazine that I read and every tutorial that I watched on YouTube used black eyeshadow.  I was like, "What am I? Elvira?"  I thought that it was too intense for me.  I mean, I'm not a rock star or a celebrity by any means.  The only thing that I do is clean my house (barely), go to church, hang out with my friends, and sometimes get a bite to eat and a movie with my husband.  My life is so basic that I thought that I could NEVER rock black eyeshadow and get away with it. 

Well, after much consideration, I broke down and I bought it.  I thought that I would just try it out.  And believe it or not...It looked half-way decent on me.  However, there is a huge key to pulling off black eye shadow.  It's BLENDING!  And I have news for you ladies...You cannot blend black eye shadow with those lame-o soft sponge tip applicators that come with department store brands.  Those things, my friends, are just plain useless.  They are nothing but a waste of time.  What a person needs is an actual makeup brush.  Despite what you might think, they are not that expensive and you can pick them up at any drug store.  I sometimes use the Essence of Beauty: Crease Brush Duo.

It's a really good, yet inexpensive brand.  The price on these, depending on the store, can run anywhere from $9-$12.  They are a good investment and a staple in your makeup kit. 

The next thing to keep in mind when applying black eye shadow is that depending on the brand that you are using, the shade of black will vary.  And when I say "shade," I mean the pigment.  A brand like MAC is more expensive however it will last a lot longer in the long run because their shadows are so pigmented, you don't really use that much in a single application.  On the flip side, a regular department store brand like covergirl may look black, but once you apply it you realize that it's actually a gray color unless you pile on the eye shadow.  I personally use MAC's Carbon.  It's a true black with no shimmer or sparkle.  I prefer a matte black on my eyes for everyday purposes.

So, there ya have it.  Don't be afraid to try new things and to explore.  Make sure that you use good lighting when trying new colors and techniques.  This will ensure that what you are seeing is what everybody else will see when they see the finished product.  No trick mirrors or funky makeup...Just awesome makeup!  Good luck, Girls!  =)