FashioNZ's Pro Makeup Artist Ashlee Kellett tells how to choose and add the perfect colour to your lids...

Dear Ashlee

I do not usually wear makeup but I have started to put some on before I go out.  How do I add some colour to my eye lids without it looking tacky? - Tracey


The best way to show off what you’ve got is to work with what you’ve got and that means accentuating. All eye colours can look amazing with just the right shadow colours. Start off lightly at first and get used to wearing colours, even if you start with a little coloured eyeliner then work your way up to the brighter eye shadow colours.



Choosing the colours is the most important element; once you’ve got the colours then start experimenting on yourself. Remember, a little at first, then build up slowly.



For brown eyes

Brown eyes are the easiest to complement. Unlike other eye colours, baby browns can get away with dashes of colour without looking tacky and the possibilities are endless. For brown eyes to stand out, choose shades of blue, purple, gold, burnt oranges and gray. To really make your dark eyes pop, use white liner on the inside of your bottom lid and regular black or brown liner on top. While this makeup trick is also used to make small eyes appear bigger, with dark eyes, white liner creates an ethereal look.



For Blue Eyes

An all too common mistake is using blue colours that are close to the original shade of the iris itself. This can result in making blue eyes appear dull. To brighten up dull blue eyes or emphasise piercing shades of blue, opt for taupe, lavender, camel, lilac and other shades of brown and purple to make your eyes appear bluer than they really are.



For Hazel Eyes

Hazel eyes are already easy to fall in love with, but using splashes of makeup colours can make your eyes even sultrier. Use eye shadows in shades such as lavender, deep mauve, pink, plum and eggplant. To create a more dramatic look, apply a deep/darker shade to your crease, using a slightly upward and outward motion.



For Green Eyes

To make your green eyes appear greener and even sexier, wear shades of brownish-pinks, salmon, mauve and purple. One effective makeup application tip is to use lighter colours on the upper and lower lid, while using a darker complementary colour on your crease. By softly blending these colours together you can create a smoky or dramatic look.



Happy colouring!

Ashlee Kellett