Dark and dramatic, light and pearly, frosted and fresh - a wide variety of effects can be achieved with eyeshadows. However, the general rule is to use four different-colored shadows; a neutral-toned base, a main color, a darker shade for emphasizing, and a lighter shade for highlighting. It is also important to use a magnifying mirror so you can see exactly what you are doing, and to keep a good range of different-sized brushes, or sponge-tipped applicators, to hand to help you blend the shadows well and prevent harsh lines.

1 Cover the whole eye area with a specially formulated eye foundation, working from the lop lash line to the eyebrow. Gently rub the foundation into the skin with your fingertip and allow to dry.

2 With a large eyeshadow brush, apply the neutral-colored base eyeshadow all over the eye area, working from the eyelashes to the eyebrow and blending out very slightly at the corner.

3 With a medium brush, apply the main color eyeshadow to the eyelid up to the socket line. Start from the inside corner and work outward, but avoid building up color at the inner corner.

4 Use a small, more pointed eyeshadow brush io run the slightly darker shade of the main color in a thin line along the socket line, working from the inside corner outward.

5 For a dramatic effect, leave the line along the socket. For a softer look, blend it in well using the large brush, or a cotton swab.

6 Using the small brush, apply the darker color in a line underneath the bottom lashes, starting about halfway along the eye and working lo the outer corner.

7 Run the small brush against the back of your hand to remove color. Then use it to apply the lighter, pearlier shade just under the brow area. Be careful not to apply any color to the eyebrows.

The finished effect: Enhanced with a coat of mascara.

(source: Dk publishing Inc - Classic Makeup and Beauty - Mary Quant)