The Essential Halo Eye Makeup Guide for A Stunning Look in 7 Steps

Are you looking for a new eye makeup look that screams drama? How about one that makes your eyes look bigger, bolder, and more intense? If this is the aesthetic you’re going for, look no further than the halo eye – otherwise known as the “spotlight eye,” and for a good reason, too.

Key Takeaways

• The halo (or “spotlight”) eye places dark shadow on the inner and outer corners with a bright shade in the middle.
• It takes seven steps: prep, neutral base, outer corners, inner corners, the halo, lashes and brows, then setting spray.
• Blend the edges so the colors meet softly without sharp lines.
• Use only eye-safe glitter and lash glue, and remove all eye makeup before bed.

Although the halo eye makeup look is wowing, it isn’t overly difficult to achieve. With a few eye makeup products and seven simple steps, you can create halo eyeshadow looks that are downright flawless.

Get ready to impress, ladies, and check out this comprehensive guide on how to do halo eye makeup.

What You Need

Before you start crafting your dreamy halo eye, you’ll need to have a few products on hand, including:

• Primer
• Eyeshadow palette (With dark and bright shades)
• Eyeshadow brushes
• Concealer
• Brow pencil
• False eyelashes or mascara
• Gel eyeliner
• Setting spray 

How To Do Halo Eye Makeup

One look at the iconic “halo eye,” and you might think it’s a wash. But you don’t have to be a professional makeup artist to create this awe-inspiring look. Get your primer, eyeshadows, and other makeup products, and get to work creating your lush look ASAP. 

Here’s a simple tutorial:

Step 1: Prep Your Eyelid 

Before you even think about creating a halo eye, you need to start by prepping your eyelid.

Prepping does two very important things. For one, it will ensure your eye makeup slides onto your eyelid like butter, leaving you with a glossy and superb finish. Secondly, it allows your eye makeup to last longer, which is essential for any makeup look.

To prep your eyelid, you can apply primer or concealer. They will both work wonders at creating a smooth base for your halo eye makeup.

Step 2: Apply a Neutral Eyeshadow to the Eyelid and Lower Lash Line

After applying your primer or concealer, you’ll want to add a neutral eyeshadow to your eyelid and lower lash line. 

You want the color to be as subtle as possible, as you will apply darker and lighter colors on top of it.

Tip: Because you’ll be adding such eye-catching colors to your eyelids, it’s best to stick with simpler, more neutral colors on the rest of your face. The last thing you want to do is end up looking like you jumped into a box of Crayola markers before stepping out of the house!

Step 3: Apply Deeper Eyeshadow on the Outer Corners

At this point, you will start laying the groundwork for your halo eye makeup style. To do this, grab your small blending brush and a very dark color. The color you choose depends solely on the final look you’re going for. You can’t go wrong with black or a dark brown, or navy shade. (You can also use a bit lighter shades if you plan to go for a very perky finish. However, halo eye makeup traditionally includes a darker shade on the inner and outer corners of your eyelids.)

Apply the deeper eyeshadow only on the outer corner of your eyelid, following the natural curve of your eye shape, to create depth and dimension. This darker shadow will enhance the intensity of your halo eye look.

Step 4: Add Depth to Inner Corners

Next up, add the same dark color to the inner corners of your eyelids. 

At this point, it should look like you have two stripes on your eyelid – one on the outer corner and one on the inner corner. There should be a bare section right down the middle of your eyelid.

(Yes, your makeup will look a little funky right now, but don’t worry – it will all come together in the next section!)

Step 5: Create the Halo

Walking out of the house with stripey eye makeup is a definite no-no. So before you head out to enjoy your day or night, you need to make sure you complete the halo eye.

To do this, you will need two items: a small eyeshadow brush and a very bright and in-your-face eyeshadow color. 

A lot of people opt for glittery or sparkly eyeshadows to create their halo eye makeup look. To ensure the glitters and sparkles don’t end up all over your face, you can slightly dampen your eyeshadow brush before applying the eyeshadow. Stick to glitter and shimmer shadows made for the eye area, never craft glitter, since loose glitter can get into the eye and irritate it.

Which colors work best? Pastels and bright shades like green, yellow, pink and orange make a fun, eye-catching halo.

However, you can use any color you’d like. When it comes to halo eyes, anything goes, so if you prefer muted shades, you can totally use them!

Tip: Don’t forget to blend the eyeshadow a pinch! While you don’t want the colors to meddle together entirely, it’s still essential to get rid of any sharp lines. This can make the halo eye makeup look a little quirky. So, use your blending brush to lightly buff out any undesired lines on your eyelid.

Step 6: Final Touches With Eyelashes and Brows

Alright, girls – you’re almost done with your adorable, flirty, and ultra-modern halo eye makeup. But you’re not done just yet. There is still an important step you need to take before everything is said and done – adding the finishing touches!

Now, when talking about “finishing touches,” that could mean a lot of things.

One finishing touch you won’t want to skip is mascara. Mascara is a definite have to complete any eye makeup style, including the famous halo eye. Use your favorite mascara to add tons of volume and length.

You also have the option of wearing false lashes. False eyelashes will add a definite pizazz to your look, with plenty of length and flare. To really make your glittery or sparkly halo stand out, many women opt to wear false lashes that are doused in sparkles and other embellishments. Use a lash glue made for the eye area and remove lashes gently at the end of the night.

Don’t forget about your eyebrows! You can do your eyebrows however you please, whether you’re into the ultra-bushy look or prefer to go retro with some pencil-thin beauties. Regardless, ensure you highlight your brow bone using your favorite highlighter. You can blend it subtly into your halo eye makeup look to create a more uniform style.

To achieve a soft and blended look, use a fluffy brush to lightly sweep through your brows and blend the product for a natural transition and a natural finish. To ensure a cohesive and captivating color scheme, consider selecting eyeshadow shades that complement each other, such as warm neutrals paired with a vibrant metallic hue for the center of the halo.

Step 7: Set it Up

At this point, your eye makeup should look “on point.” You should be sporting a halo-eye makeup look that everyone will be talking about.

However, there’s one final step you shouldn’t skip – setting spray.

Setting spray is a lot like primer, but it’s applied after you’re done doing your makeup. It has the same goals, though – to create a flawless style with no blotches or smudges, and to increase the lifespan of your makeup. 

Close your eyes, hold the bottle at arm’s length, and mist your face with a bit of setting spray to enjoy your lovely look a little longer!

Enjoy Your Stunning Halo Eye Makeup!

See? Creating a gorgeous, look-at-me halo eye makeup look isn’t hard. You can complete the style with a few products and seven simple steps. At its core, the best thing to remember is that you’ll apply dark shades to the inner and outer corners of your eyelids, with a pop of bright and shimmery hues smack dab in the middle. Finish off with some mascara, lashes, and brows; you’ve created a stunning look in minutes! Just remember to remove it all before bed.

Sources

• American Academy of Ophthalmology – How To Use Cosmetics Safely Around Your Eyes
• U.S. Food and Drug Administration – Eye Cosmetic Safety