How To Apply Eyeshadow For 2026, According To Top Makeup Artists

How to apply eyeshadow to hooded eyes?

As for applying eyeshadow to hooded eyes, “I have hooded eyes, and eyeshadow – and really making it show up on the lid – has always been a challenge,” professional makeup artist Kirin Bhatty, told Glamour in our dedicated hooded eyeshadow guide. We have all the tailored advice you could need there, but top line? “With hooded eyes, I’ll cheat the crease by going slightly higher so the colour still shows when eyes are open,” says celebrity makeup artist Christian Briceno.

How to choose your eyeshadow?

Now that you have the technique down, there’s the question of which eyeshadow to choose. We deep-dive into how to pick the best shade for your eye colour and how each finish (matte, shimmer, suede) will play to a different mood in our guide to choosing eyeshadow, but according to Rasa Gardiner, Senior Director of Global Education at Makeup By Mario one of the most common mistakes when it comes to eyeshadow is “to choose shades that are too literal or overly saturated, because they can dull your eyes.” She advises choosing a different shade from your eye colour to enhance rather than compete.

What’s the benefit of using a stick eyeshadow vs a powder one?

One theme we noticed when talking to top makeup artists, is that they’ll never be without a stick or cream eyeshadow (though powder eyeshadow still very much has its place). “Stick shadows are easier to blend and melt into the skin. They’re especially helpful when you’re short on time and need something quick. They’re also a great multi use product, sometimes I use a stick shadow to contour as well,” explains Leah.

“For the everyday girl, I actually prefer cream and stick eyeshadows. They’re quicker, easier to apply, and blend seamlessly, making them perfect for busy mornings when no one has time to worry about technique and a patchy eyeshadow. They’re almost foolproof and give you a polished pro look in seconds,” agrees top makeup artist, Micol Melani, whose clients include Hailee Steinfeld and Madelyn Cline.

“Stick eyeshadows generally have a higher concentration of pigment and they set down, so they’re quick and easy to use. I find a stick is great as an eyeliner, as an eyeshadow base, or on its own if I want a simple look. Powder eyeshadow can be a little trickier because you’re layering and constantly blending, but the most iconic looks come from powders because the layering possibilities are endless. Plus you get so many different textures and dimensions that powder offers that a stick just can’t match,” notes Tanielle.

As for which creams or sticks to add to your collection, “some of my favourites are the Makeup by Mario Master Mattes Eyeshadow Sticks, Charlotte Tilbury Exagger-Eyes Waterproof Eyeshadow Sticks, and Danessa Myricks Colorfix Multi-Use Pigment,” says Micol. “Chanel Stylo Yeux is something I keep in my kit. It’s a great easy way to add dimension or highlight to the eye. It has great staying power but is also blendable. I’ve also become a big fan of the Makeup by Mario Master Mattes Cream Shadow Sticks, they can be worn alone or as a base,” recommends top celebrity makeup artist, Diane Buzzetta, whose clients include Kendall Jenner Kaia Gerber and Camila Morrone.