Dumb question about applying dark eye shadow

I have some rally dark shadows.... Night Clubbing by Nars, and then some dark MAC pigments which I love.

But when I apply them, they look like dirt on my eyelids.

Maybe I'm not using the right blush, or applying them wrong, or should be blending them with a lighter shadow?

Please help! I want to wear them but I don't want to look like I fell face first in a pile of dirt... Lol....

Re: Dumb question about applying dark eye shadow

you need to blend, blend, blend.. that's the trick to apply eyeshadow.. do you use a primer? I always blend my shadows with other colors..

for example.. I'll use browns and throw in a little green or sometimes a dark coal black or even purple.. but i just keep blending..

I also use my fingers.. I don't like using brushes for some reason..

Re: Dumb question about applying dark eye shadow

Yep, my problem too..

I just cant seem to apply the darks right and then just avoid them all together.

I need a class on blending lol

Re: Dumb question about applying dark eye shadow

I'm not hte best at this either but I start with a primer then lightly shadow the lid with a lighter color (neutral or what I want to blend the dark with) and then I layer the darker color on top, lightly at first and keep going till I get the look I wanted.

Re: Dumb question about applying dark eye shadow

Belnding withother colors makes it worse for me. everything ends up looking muddy. I am better off just using 1 or at most 2 colors.

Sometimes I will wear a dark on my lid & just belnd it oup so it is paler closer to my eyebrow. Other time I willl use it in the crease & outer corner with a lighter shade on the lid, but it takes effor to get the right combo.

For me, I can wear dark browns & some purples, but grays blacks & anything with a bluish undertone makes me look bruised.

Re: Dumb question about applying dark eye shadow

for day, i use dark colors like that as an eyeliner with a very thin brush along the seam of my lash line..

for night, ill use a soft brush and just place some on the outside corners of your eye after you apply a lighter color over the lid.

Re: Dumb question about applying dark eye shadow

blending is right and use a primer, also need to use a few different colors, lightest on your lid, somehat darker in your crease, and then lightest under your brow and then dar at the v on the outside of your lid. Need the right brushes too!

Re: Dumb question about applying dark eye shadow

it's like paint.. anytime you feel you've gone too dark, you add a lighter shade and blend (stir) to make it lighter.. if you want to add more color, again, you add that darker color and you blend it in to make it darker.. most people fear that by blending it in too much, they will be removing color, but in fact they are supposed to do that.. it makes the color better..

Re: Dumb question about applying dark eye shadow

I don't like matte colors for that reason - they tend to look muddy on me. All shadows I buy must have some shimmer in them.

I also use my fingers. I apply the shadow close to my lash line and then blend up towards the crease.