How To Make Neon Eyeshadow Work For You

There’s something to be said for neutral eyeshadow—it’s like the childhood friend that you always feel safe with. On the other hand, neon eyeshadow is like the go-to girl for a fun night out, and sometimes, that’s just what you need. After the last year and a half of more sweatpants and no makeup days than we can count, it’s no surprise that neon is trending in everything from fashion, to nail art to makeup and more. It’s fun, festive, and cheery. That’s why we’re sharing tips for how to make neon eyeshadow wearable, last all day, and look its best. Plus, three eyeshadow techniques that look gorgeous when created with bold, neon colors.  

How to Wear Neon Eyeshadow

Ensuring your neon eyeshadow looks its best requires a few necessary steps. Keep reading to find out the best neon eyeshadow techniques. 

Step 1: Prime Your Lids

Your eye makeup will only look as flawlessly smooth as that base that’s underneath it. So, make sure to start off with an eyeshadow primer to help create an even canvas and keep excess oil from causing your shadows to crease. When working with bright colors, it’s best to apply a white or light beige primer to your lids which will make the shadow you apply on top appear more vibrant.  

Step 2: Pack On the Shadow

When you’re working with neutral shades, there’s more room for error as mistakes won’t be as obvious. But, when it comes to applying neon eyeshadow, you’ll want to pack on the color with a small flat eyeshadow brush which allows for precision. 

Step 3: Blend With a Brush

If you’re creating an eyeshadow look that requires diffused edges, it’s important to blend out your eyeshadows with a clean brush. If your brush is dirty with pigments from previous makeup applications, the colors could transfer and blend together, make your neon shadow look muddy, or brownish in color. 

Step 4: Define Your Lashes

No statement eye is complete without some serious lash power. Start by applying a coat of the L’Oréal Paris Voluminous Lash Paradise Mascara Primer/Base which adds extra volume to your lashes, and follow it up with the L’Oréal Paris Voluminous Lash Paradise Washable Mascara to define your eyes and add the finishing touch to your look. 

Neon Eyeshadow Inspiration

If you regularly browse through makeup inspo on Instagram, there’s no doubt that you’ve seen tons of gorgeous, intricate neon eyeshadow looks that you might want to try. But if the idea of playing with neon eyeshadow is intimidating, opt for something simple. Here’s three shadow looks to recreate with neon eyeshadow for easy, striking makeup.

Neon Inner Corner

If a full neon eyeshadow look is outside your comfort zone, applying a neon shadow to the inner corners of your eyes is a great way to dip your toes into the world of bold eyeshadow. 

One-And-Done Graphic Shadow

While the term “graphic eyeshadow” might sound scary, it can be quite easy to create. Simply trace the shape that you want your shadow to form with a white eye pencil or a pencil that matches your eyeshadow like the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Pro-Last Waterproof Eyeliner in Cobalt Blue. Then, fill in the shape with the pencil and top it off by packing on a vivid eyeshadow shade.

Neon Wash of Color

It doesn’t get more simple than applying a single shadow to your lids for a vibrant, on-the-go look. Pat your neon eyeshadow onto your lid, blend out the crease, and you’re good to go. Top it off with a volumizing mascara like the L’Oréal Paris Air Volume Mascara, Lightweight Mega Volume Washable which adds gorgeous volume and definition to the lashes without weighing them down. 

Next: 5 Ways to Rock Short Neon Nails

Photo Credit: Emma McLean/IG @emsmcl