How to do elaborate eye makeup without looking trashy or gaudy.

As an Avon Independent Sales Representative, I am in the business of giving free makeover advice. One of the most frequently asked questions is how to do eye makeup so it isn't overpowering. Here are my tips and tricks.

Choose your colors based on what you normally wear. Your clothing is usually based on what colors you feel are most flattering, and the same theory applies to your makeup. If you normally wear cool colors like yellows and light blues, try greens, creams, or soft blues. If you normally wear warm colors like browns, dark blues, or reds, try purples, light greys, or deep blues.

Mascara doesn't have to be plain black, either. Your lashes can color-coordinate with dark blue, brown, brown-black, green, or even silver or gold. Around the holidays, I sell a lot of silver and gold mascara for special party makeup. It really makes your eyes stand out, especially if you are wearing a brown, black, or red outfit.

Many women choose one color of eyeshadow, put it on, and call it done.  The most dramatic effects, however, can be done by layering your eyeshadow.  Choose one darker color and one lighter color.  Put the darker color along the upper lash line and blend upward and out.  Add a little to the lower inside corner of your eye and blend along the lower lash line.

Then, put the lighter color above the darker color on the upper eyelid, blending them together in the middle.  Make sure the color extends to your eyelashes for full effect.  This makes your eye stand out without having the "clown effect", because you are blending the colors.  If you use a white or cream as the top color, be sure to blend it with the darker one all the way up. 

Once your eyeshadow is on, use an eyeliner color that matches or is one or two shades darker than your darkest color. Draw against the upper and lower lash lines, extending the lines a bit past the outer edges on the top lid, and stopping just before the outer corner on the bottom lid. This lengthens the appearance of your eyes for that "movie-star glam" look.

Your mascara will coordinate with your eye colors:  blues with blues and purples, greens with greens and yellows, browns with browns and greys, blacks with blacks and purples.  Silver and gold can be used as contrast with whites, creams, and yellows, or coordinated with silver or gold eyeshadow.

At first, put only a little mascara on.  It's better to use a little than a lot.  See how it looks, then adjust the look. 

Last, but certainly not least, when using a new look be sure to try it out ahead of time. You don't want to be doing your makeup last-minute and not like how it turns out. So, choose a few different looks and have fun playing around with them. See how they look and feel, and people's reactions. Then you'll know what feels comfortable to wear and what looks good for your face. Everyone's makeup is different, so it's ultimately up to you to decide what looks best.