How to Use An Eye Shadow Quad in Real Life
Photo: Keate
Let’s take a minute to talk about eye shadow quads. You’ve probably purchased one in the past because, well, they are really pretty—like little packages of candy. It’s hard to resist the vibrant colors pressed into ladylike compacts, let alone the idea of creating dozens of groundbreaking looks with your new all-neon palette.
Unfortunately reality hits pretty soon after you make the purchase. You’re only using one shade and once it’s down to a few flecks of powder you’re left with three tropical shades and no clue how or where to use them. Now what?
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Rule number one? Make sure you like at least two of the colors before you buy a quad says makeup artist Kristin Hilton (she’s the woman behind Uma Thurman and Allison Williams’ killer red carpet looks).
“If you find yourself looking at those bold colors in your quad thinking you may never wear them, try using them with an angled brush and apply the color as a liner,” Hilton says. She suggests lightly dusting any bright pink or peach shades on the apples of your cheeks for a hint of color, or any very dark brown shades to fill in your brows. But you can use the whole thing on your eye: “I often use the lightest shade to illuminate the inner corners of the eye, the medium shade blended into the crease or on the lid and the darkest shade as an eyeliner,” Hilton says.
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If it’s a smoky eye you’re after, a quad is your new best friend. Hilton says to start by lining your eye with a dark brown or black pencil and blend the color upwards and outwards using a smudge brush. “Next, take your darkest shade and apply it over the dark pencil, blending the color out. The best way to soften the look is to take your medium shade and blend everything using that. It should go from darkest to light; focus on bringing the shape outwards to elongate the eye.”
Many of the colors available in quads are limited edition and not always available as a single shadow—which is what makes them so tempting—but if you’re having trouble finding a quad that works for you, brands like M.A.C. and Urban Decay let you build your own.
“A quad is going to give you options, and it might also open you up to experimenting with colors you wouldn’t normally work with,” Hilton points out. “You might actually discover that your favorite color is the one you would have least expected.”
The above photo features Chanel, Yves Saint Laurent, Dior and Clé de Peau Beauté.
