The Crazy-Easy Trick To Avoiding Eyeshadow Fallout

I have a love-hate relationship with eyeshadow. I collect palettes with the voracity of a Pokémon devotee, and I survey my stash of 'em on a regular basis to admire them in all their pretty, pigmented glory. But, once it's time to actually apply the stuff, things can go downhill — fast — because even the best quality, creamiest, richest formulas involve a certain degree of fallout (the term for those pesky pieces of shadow that go everywhere but on your lids).

Perhaps you've heard of shadow shields or other vaguely surgical-looking tools devised precisely for this purpose. But, this fix is one I'm 99% sure you've already got in your bag of beauty tricks: moisturizer.

Now, this method requires a bit of a learning curve if you're firm on doing your face makeup before you do your eyes. But, here's how it works: Simply apply a semi-thick layer of moisturizer — or, if you're fancy, eye cream — in a U-shape around your peepers. Brush and blend your shadow as you normally would, watching out for all the bits that land in the area now occupied by your moisturizer. Then, wipe off the cream, and bask in the glow of a clean, fallout-free, under-eye area.

The bonus: You also end up with seriously hydrated skin below your eyes, which allows a more seamless, even application of your foundation and concealer. For a night out, go big and use a mask (like this one by Bliss) for the same effect — the point is to create a barrier between your skin and the fallout landing zone.

So, would you try this trick for particularly stubborn shadow? Got a quick fix of your own? Let me know in the comments below.

Bliss Triple Oxygen Instant Energizing Eye Mask, $54, available at Sephora.