How to Apply Two‐Tone Eyeshadow

Last Updated: August 4, 2021

Two-tone eyeshadow is a fun and funky look that can be achieved with just a few products and tools. You can apply eyeshadow in a two-tone look that moves from top to bottom or from left to right. For both of these looks, you’ll need a blending brush, a slanted brush, eye primer, 2 colors of eyeshadow, and mascara.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Creating a Top-to-Bottom Two-Tone Look

1
Apply eye primer to your eyelids. Dab a tiny bit of eye primer onto your finger, and apply this to your eyelids. Eye primer will help your makeup to go on smooth, and prevent it from smudging. If you don’t own primer, apply a thin layer of concealer instead.
2
Choose 2 eyeshadow colors. For this look, you want to select 2 colors. The colors can be complementary or contrasting, and can range from metallic to pastel. You might select these based on the color of the outfit you want to wear, based on your skin tone, or based on the color of your eyes. Some ideas include:
- For instance, you might combine gray and brown, coral and aqua blue, or purple and evergreen.
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3
Line your upper lid with colorful liner. Choose an eyeliner pencil that closely matches the eyeshadow color you plan to apply closest to your lashes. Use this to draw a thin line above your upper lashes. Gel pencils and traditional eyeliner pencils will both work great.^{[1]
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4
Use an eyeshadow brush to apply your first eyeshadow to your eyelid. Open the eyeshadow that matches the eyeliner you just applied. Dab your eyeshadow brush into the color and gently wipe it across your eyelid. Color your eyelid from the outside corner in toward your nose, up as high as the crease. Try to create a smooth and even color.
5
Use an angled brush to apply the second color eyeshadow under your eye. Open the second color. Dab an angled brush (the brush normally used for eyeliner) into the color. Spread the eyeshadow in a thin line just under your bottom lashes. If you want, you can make the line a little thicker toward the outer corner of your eye.^{[2]
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6
Finish with mascara. Apply your favorite mascara to your upper and lower lashes to complete this look. Wait 5 seconds, and apply a second coat. Mascara will help define your eyes and make the eyeshadow pop.^{[3]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Applying a Side-to-Side Two-Tone Look

1
Prime your eyelids. Squeeze a tiny bit of eye primer onto your fingers, and apply a thin coat to both eyelids. This will help to secure your eyeshadow, and help the color stand out. If you don’t have any eye primer at home, add a thin layer of concealer.
2
Choose 2 eyeshadow colors. For this look, you can use bright or neutral colors. You can either choose a lighter and darker version of the same color for a subtle look, or go for contrasting colors if your style is more bold.^{[4]
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Expert Source

Ashleigh Grounds
Makeup Artist & Hair Stylist
Expert Interview. 22 April 2020.} Either way, select one color that is on the lighter side, and one that is darker. Some ideas include:
- Bold green and pale pink
- Light pink and deep fuschia
- Lilac and plum
3
Use a rounded brush to apply the lighter color of eyeshadow. Using a small shadow brush with a rounded tip, apply the lighter color to the inside of each eyelid (the side closer to your nose). Apply this to your eyelids, as high up as the crease. Try to create a smooth and even coat.^{[5]
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- If you want your eyeshadow to look really bold, use a dense brush. If you want a more natural look, you might use a brush with softer bristles, instead.^{[6]
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  Expert Source
  
  Ashleigh Grounds
  Makeup Artist & Hair Stylist
  Expert Interview. 22 April 2020.}
4
Use a rounded brush to apply the darker color of eyeshadow. Use a small shadow brush with a rounded tip to apply the darker color to the outer edge of each eyelid. Spread the color over half of each eyelid, as high up as the crease. Create a rich color by applying a thick coat of eyeshadow.^{[7]
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5
Blend the colors in the center. Using a blending brush (or your fingers), carefully blend the 2 colors in the middle. Add color to either side, as needed. Try to make it to look as though 1 color fades into the other.^{[8]
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6
Line the bottom of your eye with color, if desired. Using an angled brush, line your bottom lashes with the same color you used on the outer edge of your eyes. Alternatively, you can eyeliner in a similar shade. If you do not like to use color on your bottom lashes, you can skip this step.^{[9]
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7
Finish the look with mascara. Mascara will finish this look. Mascara adds definition to the eyes and accentuates the two-tone look of your eye shadow. Use the mascara wand to apply your first coat of mascara to your upper and lower lashes. Wait 5 seconds and apply another coat.

Expert Q&A

Question

How do you apply eyeshadow for beginners?

Ashleigh Grounds
Makeup Artist & Hair Stylist
Ashleigh Grounds is a Makeup Artist and Hair Stylist based in Austin, Texas. Ashleigh has over 11 years of cosmetology experience. She studied cosmetology in Dallas, Texas and completed a two-year hair salon apprenticeship in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia with Toni & Guy Hair Salon. She is accredited by the International Board of Cosmetology, is a certified Babe Hair Extension Professional, and is a certified Brazilian Blow Out Professional. Ashleigh was voted the best Hair Stylist in Austin for 2012 by RAW Artists and was voted in the top 20 salons for 2020 in Austin by Expertise. Ashleigh's work has been featured in Talentmagazines, BlogTalkRadio, KXAN, and Studio 512.

Ashleigh Grounds

Makeup Artist & Hair Stylist

Expert Answer

Experiment with different brushes. If you want your eyeshadow to look really bold, use a dense brush. If you want a more natural look, you might use a brush with softer bristles, instead.
Question

What colors should I pair for a two-tone eyeshadow look?

Ashleigh Grounds
Makeup Artist & Hair Stylist
Ashleigh Grounds is a Makeup Artist and Hair Stylist based in Austin, Texas. Ashleigh has over 11 years of cosmetology experience. She studied cosmetology in Dallas, Texas and completed a two-year hair salon apprenticeship in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia with Toni & Guy Hair Salon. She is accredited by the International Board of Cosmetology, is a certified Babe Hair Extension Professional, and is a certified Brazilian Blow Out Professional. Ashleigh was voted the best Hair Stylist in Austin for 2012 by RAW Artists and was voted in the top 20 salons for 2020 in Austin by Expertise. Ashleigh's work has been featured in Talentmagazines, BlogTalkRadio, KXAN, and Studio 512.

Ashleigh Grounds

Makeup Artist & Hair Stylist

Expert Answer

I think it looks nice when you pair colors that are the opposite of each other on the color wheel, like red and green or blue and yellow. If you wanted something a little more subtle, though, you could pair colors that are next to each other on the color wheel, like yellow and orange or purple and blue.
Question

What colors should I use to make a berry color?

Community Answer

Try using pinks, reds, purples, and magentas for berry colors.