BEAUTY: How to Wear Green Eyeshadow

Ever since Marc Jacobs marched military green down the runway a few season back, I’ve had a bit of a love affair with green eyeshadow. How do you wear it? It’s much easier than you think!

It’s been on my mind for a while now to approach the subject of how to wear green eyeshadow. Green eyeshadow isn’t as daring color as, say, blue…but it is a bit more ‘out there’ than your standard neutrals. Saying this though, if you’re going to buy something like the Mini Tropic Natasha Denona Palette, then you possibly already have an idea of how you’re going to wear colors like these to pull off a successful look. I started experimenting with it a while back, first using it as a pop of color on my lower lash line. Now? I’m wearing full, bonafide eye looks wearing green on the regular. Here’s how I do it!

Choose your color wisely!
I guess the first rule of thumb is to choose greens that don’t scare the living daylight out of you. That might mean…setting down your Urban Decay Vice palette in favor of more ‘everyday’ shades. If you’re a MAC eyeshadow connoisseur, Greensmoke and Felt are go-to favorites that will compliment most everyone’s skin tone. Today though, I’m busing out a gorgeous green Color Eclissare eyeshadow palette by Borghese*.

To put together this makeup look, I used 4 of the 5 shades in Borghese’s green “Fresh” eyeshadow palette. This palette is wonderful, but not essential. Feel free to experiment with other green tones that are similar, or more to your liking. That’s the beautiful thing about makeup, all the unlimited options available to us. If would like to learn more about this palette in particular though, click here to read my full review.

But enough about that jazz, let’s talk HOW to wear green eyeshadow in way that you won’t look completely bonkers. Like I said, Marc Jacobs brought military green back to the forefront of fashion – and I think it’s a solid look for fall…or even in the summer with a nice tan. Truly, there are no rules.

How to Wear Green Eyeshadow, Easily?

Lay Your Base
The first step in creating this multi-tone green eyeshadow look, was laying down the shade ‘Raw‘ (matte, light green) all over my lid. I used a large Sigma eyeshadow brush to cover my entire lid space, and then blended out the edges slightly. The key to not looking ‘sickly’, is to start with less…and build, and blend. As I built the shadow up, I found that I actually really liked the look on its own – but from there, I started to deepen things up.

Darken Your Crease
With an angled shading brush, I applied Fierce to my crease and outer third of my eye. Careful, the shadow is very pigmented and it’s better to build it up, than to go too far from the start. I alternated between applying with my angled shading brush, and blending with a Sigma E40 until I was happy with the effect.

Razzle Dazzle Time
You could stop there, but that’s not any fun. To kick things up, I used the stunning sparkling green shade ‘Sass‘. Using a MAC 239, I laid this down over the inner two-thirds of my eye…and even used my finger slightly when I wanted to carefully pick up more glitter. This is one truly spectacular color, and would be pretty amazing on its own. If you’re looking for a single shadow option to pick up, Greensmoke by MAC is a beautiful alternative.

Dab a Little Highlight
Final touch to my eyeshadow was a dash of Wild as a highlighting shade in the center of my lid. It’s makes a very subtle difference, but ties the the whole look together. I skipped it, but a little pop in your inner corners would be a nice touch as well. I wanted to focus on lining my lower lashline though, so just kept going.

Line and Blend the Lower Lash Line
On the outer half of my lower lash line, I used Fierce on a pencil brush. Because the eyeshadow is so rich with pigment, you can skip eyeliner all together. Be sure to bring together the top and the lower corner, to keep your eye balanced. Lastly, I lined the inner half of my lower lash line with Sass, to give it that added bit of sparkle.

I think the key to wearing green eyeshadow, is to establish your eyes as the focal point – and let the rest of your face take a backseat…like a cast of supporting characters.

One thing I definitely want to point out, is the absence of blush. I didn’t want to rose up my cheeks, in fear that I’d draw the eye away from my eyes and look like a clown in the crossfire. To have a ‘glow’ I wore a more radiant foundation and topped with some powder and a little bit of bronzer. That was it for my complexion.

For lipstick, I went basic…using NYX’s B52, which is a classic and under-appreciated shade. It’s so good, in fact, that I’m not sure why I haven’t gotten my butt in gear to pick up more lipsticks by NYX. This in particular one came to me in an Ipsy bag ages ago, and it’s a very well loved favorite.

Links to What I’m Wearing
Dior Studio Star Foundation in 22
NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer
MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural in ‘Medium’
Laura Mercier Dune Bronze
Borghese ‘Fresh’ Color Eclissare Eyeshadow
Lancome Hypnose Drama Mascara
NYX ‘B52’ Lipstick

Et voila, proof that wearing green eyeshadow is (in fact) very easy. For an ensemble, You can pair your green eyes with a green jacket like I have, or go with some crisp white or striking black. Honestly, I’ve experimented enough with green eyeshadow to know it’s much more versatile than you think.

Hope you give this a try and report back how it goes. To me, it’s a chic look that is a more fun than your everyday browns and golds. It’s fun to step a bit out of the box and go with something unexpected. Don’t you think!

Do you have another makeup look you’d like me to try out on Dream in Lace? I’m always game for your suggestions, so keep them coming!

What’s your favorite way to wear green eyeshadow?

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