It can be tough to decide on an eye makeup look. There are some situations, such as a workday or a trip to the mall, in which I want to wear makeup but don’t want to appear overdone. Other occasions, such as a night out, definitely call for cosmetics, but I may decide on different looks depending on whether I’m going on a date or just having fun with my friends. Many of you may feel the same eye makeup indecision, and I’m here to help. 

Creating an eye makeup look that is perfect for a given occasion doesn’t have to be difficult. It’s simply a matter of taking the situation into consideration. Obviously, an important meeting at the office may not be the best time to break out your new Urban Decay glitter eyeliner, even though you’ve been dying to try it out. Similarly, which girl wants to go on a first date with a tired, makeup-free face? Read on for some eye makeup tips that may influence your cosmetic decisions for the better!

    

1. Day Makeup: Obviously, not every daytime occasion calls for you to put effort into eye makeup. If you’re just grabbing coffee with a close friend or running to the grocery store, you may not even bother with a swipe of mascara. However, some situations are different. Say, for example, you’re going out to the mall, a movie, or sporting event. You want to look pretty, but not overdone, so keep your eye makeup simple and light. Gently apply eyeliner and a single coat of mascara. If you want to use shadow, stick with light or pastel shades. During the summer, a peach or bronze shimmer looks great for daytime! Tip: to appear fresh and awake, dab a bit of white shadow in the corner of your eye. 

    

2. An Office Look: For a day at work, you want to wear a bit more makeup than for a casual daytime occasion. However, office makeup can be tricky, given that a hectic schedule leaves little time for reapplication. When it comes to a professional look, it’s best to stay away from bold colors because the fluorescent lights of office buildings will make these colors appear to be harsher than they really are. To be a pretty professional, use a soft eyeliner and a coat or two of mascara. Stick with a single warm-toned shadow, as these will counteract any harsh fluorescent lighting. Up late working? Zap under-eye circles with a light pencil concealer.

  

3. Date Night: For a cute date look, you can choose to make your eyes or lips stand out. Personally, I always choose eyes. You can try a fun, flirty look by using bright colors, or go for a sultry, sensual look by blending dark shadows. Regardless of which colors you choose, a smoky eye is a great date look. Apply a darker shadow to the eyelid, and use a lighter version of the same color to fade out along the brow bone. Make the color slightly sweep out at the sides for an easy smoky eye. I usually use brown shadows, which define the eye without being over the top. Use a dark liner on the upper lash line, and don’t forget mascara for extra definition! This look is also great for formal evenings in general.

   

4. Night Out With The Girls: Personally, I think this is the most fun look of them all. A night of fun with your friends is a great time to break out your most glamorous, dramatic makeup. These are the nights to experiment with bright eyeshadow and neon eyeliners, and not be afraid to use a little too much glitter. A fun idea for girl’s night is to get creative with mascara. Apply a coat or two of your regular black or brown mascara first, then add a punch of color by brushing a bit of colored mascara (blue, green, purple) onto the tips of the eyelashes.

[Images: top photo, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13]