The eyes are a feature that many of us overlook in our daily makeup routine. We’re often guilty of quickly swiping on mascara in the car on the way to work and forgetting about them until it’s time to take off our makeup at night.
But listen up! There’s a quick, 3-step eye makeup system that will wake up your eyes in no time—without occupying an extra 20 minutes every morning. Even better, this routine takes less effort than a full eyeshadow look but still delivers maximum impact. With just a few simple steps, you can make your eyes appear bigger, brighter, and more refreshed. Whether you’re heading to the office, a coffee date, or even just running errands, these small tweaks make a big difference.
Step 1: Skip the Shadow, Use Translucent Powder
Start by skipping the eyeshadow and instead dust translucent powder on your eyelids. I recommend Makeup Forever HD Finishing Powder. This step will not only absorb oil throughout the day but also prevent mascara from smudging and rubbing off below your eyebrows.
Step 2: Apply Pencil Eyeliner for a Smoky Look
Next, grab a pencil eyeliner—I love MAC Technakohl in ‘Photogravure’ for a soft, go-to color. It’s the easiest to use on the go. Apply it to your lower lash line and blend with a brush or a Q-tip to achieve a smoky look. Avoid using black eyeliner because it can appear too harsh, making it harder to soften.
Step 3: Apply Mascara Only to the Upper Lashes
For the final step, apply a generous amount of mascara on your top eyelashes. Never put mascara on your bottom lashes—it tends to look messy and can cause the delicate lashes to stick together. L’Orèal Voluminous Mascara in ‘Carbon Black’ is perfect for layering without creating product buildup.
