How to make eyeshadow last all day

Getting the eyeshadow to stay for longer than a couple of hours is not an easy job for a lot of us. I hate it when you're all made up pretty to go on a date, after the dinner you go to the washroom, and you look in the mirror and see with horror that your sexy eye makeup has smeared, creased or faded. Chase Aston, makeup artist and spokesperson for the Body Shop Cosmetics, offers this great tip for keeping your eyeshadow last all day.

Wait it out. Oily eyelids are a main cause of eyeshadow creasing. Before applying your makeup, moisturize your face and wait a few minutes, to allow your skin to fully absorb the product. Then close your eyes and remove any excess moisturizer from your lids by gently patting them with a tissue.

Tone up. Dampen a cotton ball with a little toner and sweep it over the eyelids. This removes any excess oil and closes the pores. Be extra gentle when performing this step, to prevent your delicate lids from getting red and irritated.

Prep and powder. Spread a very thin layer of oil-free foundation on the lids and set it with a dusting of loose powder. It'll camouflage any redness and prevent creasing, whether you're following up with a powder, cream or liquid shadow. This step is essential for oily skin, to increase eyeshadow longevity.

Smooth on the colour. To choose the shade that's right for you, favour colours that complement your eyes: Opt for blue if your iris is brown; pink if you have green eyes and copper to give blue eyes a boost. One last word of advice: Apply shadow sparingly. We're no longer in the '80s, ladies.

Check out Body Shop's new Spring Summer Shimmer Cube $22. So light and pretty, anyone can wear these flattering colors.

(Source: Loulou Magazine April issue)