I have to admit: Using lip gloss as eyeshadow was not a beauty hack I was particularly excited about trying out. I mean, there are a lot of qualities I love about the lip product, like it's ability to change your look without too much effort — you pretty much can't go wrong with it. But using it as eyeshadow? Yeah, I wasn't too sure about that. But the inner-beauty guru in me decided to try it out because, well, why not?
I really wanted to find a look that was easy on the eyes, but also super dewy for a special occasion I had to attend. Someone told me that they once used lip gloss on their eyelids for that really soft, but shiny effect and totally recommended it. After hearing about it, I just couldn't imagine having lip gloss stay on my lids without it being super uncomfortable (read: sticky) or really temperamental.
However, I remained open-minded and did some research before considering the makeup technique to see if it was a legit trick. I found that other experts used lip gloss as an eyeshadow primer in addition to creating that soft, "wet" look.
Even Erin Flaherty, Health and Beauty Director at Marie Claire has used lip balm for her eyelids, explaining to Fashionista that she'll sometimes mix lip balm with "any powder color, like a broken eyeshadow, to give a really nice creamy finish." Where'd she learn the technique? "It’s something makeup artists have been doing backstage for years." Sold!
Hannah Murray, Topshop makeup artist, also explained to Elle that "it adds some glamour that can also be a bit dirty, a bit messed up." Chic, but edgy? I'm in.
In order to find out if this beauty hack really worked, I tried it out for myself. Here's what went down:
Step 1: I Made Sure My Eyelids Were Clean
I cleansed my eyelids with Neutrogena Fresh Foaming Cleanser and applied Neutrogena Alcohol-Free Toner on them. I wanted to make sure my lids didn't have extra oil before applying the lip balm and gloss to them. I wanted it to be as fresh and clean as possible.
Neutrogena Fresh Foaming Cleanser, $5, Target; Neutrogena Alcohol-Free Toner, $6, Amazon
Step 2: I Applied A Lip Balm On The Bottom
The more I researched, the more I found out that other makeup artists really like to use lip balm for that creamy consistency. Murray suggested using "a tube of lip balm that has never been on your mouth (Vaseline works, too) and dab a tiny bit on the top center of each lid." She also said to use a tiny amount and "put it only on the center of your lid."
I applied Benefit Cosmetics Hydrating Tinted Lip Balm to the center of my lids and dabbed them in a circular motion.
Benefit Cosmetics Hydrating Tinted Lip Balm, $18, Sephora
Step 3: I Put Lip Gloss On Top
After I added a reddish base, I added a little bit of nude lip gloss on both sides to get a shimmery and wet look. I tried to be really careful in not getting the lip gloss in my eye lid though. I used the Hoola nude lip from Benefit to give me that more sultry color.
You can also try using an eyeshadow brush when applying the lip gloss. I just found that using my fingers was easier.
Step 4: I Smeared The Creases
While I did a little more dabbing from outer to inner of my lid, I also smeared the creases to have more of a smoother appearance. Sometimes with the lip gloss added on top of the lip balm, it might feel a little thicker and clumpy. Making sure you smear all the creases will help keep that shiny, smoothy appearance on point.
The Verdict
Overall, I really liked the effect I got from wearing lip gloss as eyeshadow. It was a fun way to do a "wet" '90s supermodel look and was a cool way to use lip gloss in a way I never had before. Surprisingly, the results from this look worked really well with my skin. The dewy look I was aiming for was definitely accomplished with lip gloss.
The only thing that I didn't like about wearing lip gloss on my lids was that after an hour or so, the eyeshadow became really clumpy and started to feel uncomfortable. I would only suggest a look like this for a dinner date or a shorter event — not an all day thing. Unless you apply more lip gloss to smooth out the creases, I would stick to wearing this look for special occasions.
Also, word of caution: Always make sure that you're not irritating your eyes. Avoid applying too much product or using unsafe brands on your lids. I'd suggest using something that you know works well with your skin or is all-natural.
Overall, I'm glad I learned that my lip gloss can serve another purpose than just keeping my lips super glossy and hydrated!
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