The easiest is to create gradients of similar undertones/shades going from light to dark. After using it a few times like that, then I start trying shades I might not have used yet and trying to build around them.
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Much depends on the size of the palette. A quad or quint may not offer me suitable browbone and/ or transition shades for my hooded eyes, and so I may need to bring those in from somewhere else in my stash. Otherwise, those smaller ones are actually easier to create a look from. Now the larger palettes can be a bit more overwhelming! So with those, I will take several shades that I’ve already decided would make a really great look and just go for it! Then as I get used to its formula and have some indication of what I can expect, I’ll experiment with other combinations.
I pretty much follow what Christine said. I usually will try the obvious combinations and those that I know will work together and then branch out and try some more “out there” combinations. It is amazing how often this works to come up with really pretty looks. I also like palettes with both a matte and shimmer in a similar color for what I call one shadow looks but actually is more than one just very similar and with different finishes.
Exactly what you said.
I pick my absolute favorite shade and build a look around that. The next day, I use my least favorite shade and try to make it work for me somehow. If I get stuck, blend out the edges really well, pop a dab of neutral shimmer in the middle of my eyelids and wear a bright lipstick instead 😉
Usually I start with a pretty basic routine I know will work in terms of color and for my eye shape and then try and incorporate colors I don’t really would reach for at first look throughout the next few days.
I don’t have too many premade palettes and the ones I do have are pretty cohesive. So I pick 3 or 4 colors for any given look. A base/browbone color, a transition / crease color, maybe a color to deepen the crease/outer V color and a lid color. I pick colors too that speak to me and look good together. Complimentary colors or all neutrals or all warm tones etc
Thanks for that last tidbit; I often have trouble knowing what “looks good” together.
I have such a hard time combing colors that aren’t a gradient light-to-dark of the same shade. I’m starting to be better using undertones to figure out which shades go together (thanks to Temptalia for identifying undertones for me!), but I generally find large palettes overwhelming which why I stick to trios/quads. I’ll go for an 8-pan occasionally because I can find easy trio/quad combos in 8-pans and the few large palettes I own are neutral so I don’t have to worry about matching shades/undertones. I look forward to reading everyone’s answers so I can learn!
I like to categorize the shades first – light colors for highlighting, medium neutrals for transition, light-medium neutrals/colors for the lid, darker shades for defining the outer corners/lower lash line, and anything really deep to be used as a liner. When I get a new palette I’m pretty methodical about combining shades to explore as many looks as possible and after a while I’ll tend to stick to two or three that become my go-to’s when using that specific palette.
I also do this when I’m thinking about purchasing a palette. If there is not at least 1 highlight, 1 transition, 1 lid shade, and preferably 1 darker defining shade I won’t purchase the palette, especially if it’s expensive. I have tan-dark skin so it’s important I do this so I don’t end up with a palette that has a bunch of white and cream shades that I know I’ll never use.
That’s what I do! I try to identify the light shades, light-medium and medium-dark (or just a medium), and dark/deep shades first. Then match colors/undertones and use that “quad” (or “trio”) as my look. I also go by ratios; if it’s an 8 pan, it should have at least 2 lights and 2 darks–not 5 light shades and no darks. How do you get a gradient/contrast out of that!??
Sometimes the palettes have already arranged colors by row or quads, I use those when I want to be safe and not make mistakes. I also venture out to mix them up a bit after I am confident with it as well.
I first look for what I could use as a transition, crease and deepener shade or if i have to pull in a shade or two, then I’ll look for a shimmery lid shade.
And then I’ll look and see if there’s a pop of colour for my lowerlashline!
If a palette totally uninspires me, I’ll go look up beauty blogs who do looks for Inspo !
I love a good shimmer shade on my lid!
Yes! I love a nice shimmery spot light shade on my mobile lids!!! 😀
Hmmm it depends on the palette color story and layout!
Generally I don’t think it’s hard to find combinations in a palette, I think I’ve only struggled with one, UD Vice (I can’t remember which one, it’s got a gold purple pattern and came in a pouch with the same pattern in silver on black). I use it, but I always use a couple of singles or another palette with it. It might be that is’t so colourful, I don’t know, but I don’t have the same problem with other larger colourful palettes.
I experiment with the shades I know and like and then start adding a few different shades (one at a time) to vary my eye looks. I own mostly quads and quints so it is fairly easy, but with the larger palettes I always like to try a some different shades. However, I don’t use pinks, oranges or reds – far too clashing with my colouring.
With palettes, I sometimes do gradients but some of them have quite a mix of colors. I also mix my palettes often.
It depends on the palette. I’ve been wearing makeup for so long, I don’t really think about it, I just put on whatever strikes my fancy. I’m pretty good at putting together interesting combinations on the fly. When in doubt or in a hurry, a pin-up eye, gradient. or shimmery lid with coordinating matte crease shade are common defaults.
I’m really free-handed. I usually just pick a couple that are next to each other and work with them. I do this every day until I work my way through a new palette, just so I can say I tried everything. Obviously some will work better than others, and then I go back and use those again, but combine them. So basically, after trying them all, in my mind I shrink the palette to my faves and go from there.
But I have said before, I will try almost any shade of any makeup, other than foundation/concealer that is more than 2 shades off from my skin. I don’t tell myself I can’t wear anything, and I have discovered some great new looks and faves because of trying all the new stuff.