9 Ways You're Not Using Your Eye Shadow to Its Full Potential

This may seem like a no-brainer, but it doesn't matter if you want a bold, sharp line or a smudgier, hazier look — your good old eye shadow can play the part of eyeliner. Bonus: This is especially handy if you're traveling and don't want to worry about packing a pencil sharpener. For a stronger look, dip a damp, fine-pointed brush into a dark shadow, and apply as close to the lash line as possible. Make your line as thick or as thin as you like — feel free to get creative.

If you don't feel like making an investment in a true bronzer, use eye shadow instead. Cream, powder, shimmer, matte — it's all good. Just use a color that has a yellow, orange, or red undertone like a true bronzer to avoid looking washed out. If you're using a cream formula, avoid looking like a glitter bomb hit you by mixing a little bit of moisturizer with the shade before applying with your fingertips. For a powder shadow, apply with a big fluffy brush and buff out any excess sparkle with your regular loose powder.

We can't preach enough about the awesomeness of illuminators, but we'll let you in on a little secret — you can use your eye shadow for the same thing. Again, what kind of shadow you use doesn't matter, but try to pick a shade two shades lighter than your natural skin tone. Apply to high points of your face, including cheekbones, brow bones, and the bridge of your nose, then blend away any obvious lines.

Before we bought an actual contouring kit, we used eye shadow for this (like many makeup artists do). Use a color two shades darker than your natural skin tone, and blend away. Our lazy girl's guide to contouring makes it supereasy.

While your ink is totally cool, you still might want to cover it up before Great Aunt Edna's 95th birthday soiree. Use an eye shadow the color of your skin's undertone on top of your tattoo before applying foundation for a surprisingly smooth complexion. We're not going to lie — this process can be pretty time consuming and would be best for little pieces of art. First, apply a primer to the area; after, smooth a light coat of foundation on top to help lighten the tattoo's appearance. Protect this step with a coat of hair spray (seriously!). Once that's dried, use a patting motion to heavily apply your shadow on the tattoo. Add another coat of hair spray, and then layer full-coverage foundation on top. Set with more hair spray, and attend your family party without fear of snide comments.

Maybe you're hoping to even out your hairline, would like a bolder widow's peak, or (like our girl Khloé Kardashian here) you want to fill in your part so your self-tanner isn't as apparent. You can accomplish all these things with a matte eye shadow that matches your hair hue. Use an eye shadow brush to apply the powder formula of your choice to your scalp — try a fluffier brush for your part but one with firmer bristles for your hairline.