Take the Guesswork out of Eye Shadow Selection- Eyes By Design

I am a certified image and color consultant and I do strongly believe in the 4-season concept of color. The theory is that everyone can wear virtually every color in the spectrum, but it's the intensity and tone of the color that will make your skin glow, or look tired.

The same idea holds true for eyes. The same color of brown that makes blue eyes pop, isn't the same color brown that works for others. So Eyes by Design has come up with complimentary products, including quartets of "best" colors for brown, green, blue and hazel eyes. The four colors work together, or separately, to make your eyes look the best they can be!

Each black, mirrored compact contains 4 powder eye shadows from light to dark and in pearl and cream finishes. The lightest shades bring your features forward while the dark shades make them recede. These pressed powder shadows are easy to apply, and they are long-lasting and true to color. They are also Dermatologist and Ophthalmologist-tested.

There are four "regular" palettes that offer different colors for the four basic different eye colors: Blue Eyes - Peach Shimmer, Taupe, Plum Brown, Bronze; Green Eyes - Golden Lime, Olive Shimmer, Smokey Green, Purple; Brown Eyes - Vanilla Beige, Caramel, Coffee Brown, Green; Hazel Eyes - Iridescent Pink, Golden Taupe, Brown Shimmer, Pink;

NEW! EyebyDesign has a "Bronze Collection" for Summer 2009 that features just sun-kissed shades of bronze and brown shades. Shades 1 & 3 of each palette are the ones that bring warmth and depth to the eye, while the second shade adds color, and the fourth shade adds the finishing, bronze touch. I don't tend to wear four colors of shadow for daytime, especially in the warmer months, but you can pick and choose just one, two, three, or all. The palettes

just launched, so you'll want to gets yours before they are all sold out at HSN.

The most "toasty" was the palette for Blue Eyes. The lightest color in this collection was a muddled taupe, followed by a shimmery caramel, deep rusty copper, and bright copper. Perhaps a bit bright, but they did bring out the color of my eyes and blended into more subtle shades. The most subtle quartet was the one for green eyes, featuring a medium tan, golden lilac, soft antique bronze, and a much softer copper than the one for blue eyes. The palette for brown eyes is the prettiest in my opinion, with a medium caramel, a soft plum with gold shimmer, soft chocolate, and warm copper. Hazel eyes have a beautiful palette of a nude pink, gorgeous shimmery olive, shimmery dark chocolate, and rose-tinted copper.

For those who are risk-averse, or just don't have a clue what colors work, or who like someone else to take the guesswork out of the makeup routine, these color-keyed palettes are ideal. Why I like the idea, I also feel you should experiment and find your own style as well as learn "what works" from the experts. If you really want to use another palette that isn't set for your specific eye color, why not? You will still get beautiful eye shadow colors that will look pretty no matter which one you choose.

Here are some tips for applying EyesByDesign (or any) eye shadow colors:

The lightest color is normally used as a highlight on your brow bone. The main lid section is where you will place one of the most colorful shadows. To locate the crease of the eye, look in the mirror while tipping your head slightly back. Where your eye meets the socket is where the darker shadow should be applied. Another technique is to place applicator or brush in the center of the eyelid while lid is closed. Open the eye and the applicator/brush will move directly to the crease where the darker shade should be placed.
Finish eye shadow with a final blend, with a touch of the all-over base color, blending over the entire eye to fuse all colors together.

For best results, always shake excess product off brush before beginning application.

When applying the contour shadow, blend from the outside to the inside. This helps to avoid overspray. If there are any flakes of color that end up below the eye or on the cheek, use a large powder brush or a cotton ball to sweep it away and/or pick up the loose powder to help avoid smudging the makeup.

EyesbyDesign regular palettes and Bronze Collection Palettes are available at the Home Shopping Network and online at: www.hsn.com. The cost per palette is $24.95 *plus shipping and handling