Make Cheap Eyeshadows Look Expensive

Have you ever purchased an eye shadow only to be disappointed? Waste of money, right? I've found my disappointments to come mostly from drugstore shadows, but I've had my share of duds in the pricey department as well.

Recently I did a huge review of new drugstore eye shadow palettes, and I discussed how I had to make them work, due to their quality. Cheaper shadows can sometimes be chalky and not as pigmented. You can barely see them on the lid! Luckily, I'm sharing some of my go-to methods to help. Here are 4 ways to make eye shadows pop:

1--Flat Shader Brush:

• As I've said before in my Beginner Eyeshadow Under $5 Tutorial, you don't need an expensive brush for this. Use one that is flat, similar to the one pictured. ELF works. Pat on the shadow. If you brush it on, you won't get as much pigmentation. You'll get fall out--you know where you end up with shadow on your lashes and face.

2--Pat Finger

• Just like the method above, but use a clean finger to pat on the shadow.

3--White Primer

• Many of us use a primer already for lids, and depending on the primer, sometimes those only help shadows stay put. 
• Try a white primer--I really like them on dark skin too. They are a must if you are going for super bright colors. The same concept exists for mascara primers--they are usually white too!
• Then pat your shadows on top using a brush or clean finger. Here, I used the NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil in Milk. You can get it online, ULTA, CVS, and sometimes Target. They have it in a pot version as well. Maybelline Color Tattoos has a white pot version.

4--Wet Brush

• I mentioned this technique on my new drugstore eye shadow palettes post, and many of you asked for clarification. Take distilled water and spray a small amount on the brush. I used MAC Fix + here, but I've used makeup setting sprays in a pinch. You can keep distilled water in a small spray bottle for this purpose. If your brush is dripping, it's too wet. Then dip the brush into the shadow. If the shadow now has a pool of water in it, your brush is too wet. Pat the brush onto the lid. Your shimmer shadow will be intensified and metallic.

On your left I used the wet brush with a cheap gold shimmer shadow--see how more intense it is when next to the gold shadow that I patted on?

On your left, I brushed on a shimmery champagne shadow using a regular fluffy brush. You can't really see it! On the right, I used the flat shader brush to pat it on. The flash shows it better but it is definitely more noticeable in person.

Remember, I gave you 4 options, not 4 steps. Just pick the one that works for you.

And here's the final look with the drugstore shadows.

What's your favorite eye shadow palette?

Extra Elle:

• My windshield split horizontally--it was instant--so I got that replaced last week. 
• I've tried Hello Fresh again--kind of like Blue Apron but I like the recipes better for HF--and I'm still really pleased. If you'd like a discount code to try it, let me know.
• Kylie Lip Kit GIVEAWAY--enter here. Instagram only!
• I've got 2 big giveaways going on: 2 winners for curling irons/wands (so easy) and $300 2 winners to either Sephora or Target.