Everything you need to know to create dramatic eyes that’ll last into the wee hours—without creasing, smudging or fading.
On your wedding day, no one will give it a second thought if you shed a tear (or even totally bawl) while saying your vows. But avoiding looking like a raccoon afterward—or having your eye makeup fade after hours on the dance floor—takes a little pre-planning. Check out our tips to keep your eyes looking amazing all day, without the hassle of constant touch-ups.
Layer It On
Applying a single swipe of shadow isn't going to get you eyes that wow. As makeup artist Ashleigh B. Ciucci explains, now's not the time to be stingy with your product. “Use a flat nylon brush to pack the color onto your lid, then blend it with a soft, fluffy brush," she says. After, “I almost always go back and add a bit more lid color to intensify the look." It's also important to use the a shadow with staying power, like Revlon ColorStay 16-Hour Eye Shadow. Each palette features a quad of coordinating hues that'll last (you guessed it) up to 16 hours.
Get in Line
To really define your eyes, don't skip the eyeliner. Whether you go for a pencil or a liquid depends on the eye look you want—just make sure it's a long-lasting, budge-proof formula.
Bold and Precise
To create a cat eye or draw a thin, defined line, go with liquid. Revlon ColorStay Skinny Liquid Liner has a 0.1-millimeter tip for super-precise lines with serious staying power. If you want to try a more dramatic look, opt for Revlon ColorStay Liquid Liner; depending on how you angle the brush, you can create a thin or thick line. Worried about messing up? Don't! "It's almost effortless to get it right in one go because the product doesn't set right away," Ciucci says. And if you do make a mistake? Just dip a pointed cotton swab in eye makeup remover, clean the edge and go back with an angled brush to reapply any eye shadow that was wiped away.
Soft and Sexy
For a subtler, softer look, go for a pencil. Work in a long-lasting product like Revlon ColorStay Eye Liner along the lashline and under the eye. “Really get in between the lashes," Ciucci says. And don't worry about getting the perfect line—when you're done, you can go over it with the built-in smudger to soften the line. Pretty foolproof, right?
Lash Out
If you're worried about a mascara meltdown thanks to sweat or tears, a waterproof version of your favorite is a no-brainer. But before you quickly swipe a coat on your lashes and call it a day, try these tips to maximize their volume and length. “Holding onto the mascara wand, point the tip of the brush perpendicular to your lashes and swipe the product on with windshield-wiper strokes," Ciucci says. Then, adjust your grip and hold the brush parallel to your lashes before wiggling the brush into the root, and pulling it up through the tips. And since mascara's made to be layered, don't be afraid to apply a second coat to up the drama.
Underneath It All
Inevitably while you're doing up your eyes, you're going to have some shadow “fallout" beneath them. Ciucci recommends swiping it away with remover or a wipe, then adding a dab of concealer just to the inner corner of the under eye and blending it outward with a soft eye shadow brush. Revlon ColorStay Concealer can hide any dark circles—plus, its time-release formula means you won't have to worry about reapplying at any point during the festivities.
Just follow these simple steps for wow-worthy eyes that'll last all night—buh-bye raccoon look!