Part 1 beginner eyeshadow tutorial

I absolutely love a good espresso eyeshadow look; it's hands down one of the most flattering and versatile shades out there, especially when you're just starting out with makeup. The Makeup By Mario Master Mattes Palette is a dream for this – those BYMARIO shades just blend like butter! For a beginner, black eyeshadow can feel a bit intimidating, but an espresso or deep brown offers that same depth and definition without being as harsh. It makes your eyes look bigger and more awake, and it works beautifully on pretty much every eye color and skin tone. I've found it's my secret weapon for a 'put-together' look on days when I don't have much time. Here’s how I get that perfect espresso eye using my Master Mattes Palette. First, I always make sure to prep my lids with a good eyeshadow primer. It makes a huge difference in how the color shows up and how long it lasts throughout the day—no creasing, which is a big win for me! Then, I take a fluffy blending brush (*Morphecosmetics makes some great ones*) and sweep a lighter matte brown (one of the warmer, mid-tone shades in the palette) into my crease. This acts as a transition shade and really helps the espresso color blend seamlessly. Next, I pick up the darkest matte brown, the one that really nails that 'espresso' vibe, on a slightly denser brush. I like to press this color onto my outer V (the outer corner of my eyelid in a V-shape) and then gently blend it into the crease, focusing on keeping the intensity on the outer part of the eye. This creates that smokey, defined look without being too heavy. Sometimes, I'll even drag a tiny bit of that espresso shade along my lower lash line with a small, flat brush for an extra touch of definition. It’s amazing how much impact just a little bit of shadow there can have! One common mistake I used to make as a beginner was not blending enough, or blending too far up towards my brow bone. With espresso shades, it’s all about soft, circular motions to diffuse the edges without losing the color's impact. If I ever feel like I've applied too much, I just take a clean fluffy brush and gently buff out the edges. It’s like magic! After my eyeshadow is done, I quickly line my upper lash line with a dark brown or black liner (my Urban Decay one is a staple!) to complete the look. I skip the heavy lashes most days now and just curl my natural lashes really well, finishing with a few coats of mascara. For a final touch, I dab a tiny bit of my Laura Mercier highlighter on my inner corner and just under my brow bone to really open up my eyes. It adds a lovely, subtle glow. This espresso look from Makeup By Mario is my ultimate go-to for an effortless, chic eye. It's so easy to adapt for different occasions, too – just add a touch of shimmer from another palette if you want to glam it up for the evening. If you're new to eyeshadow, trust me, this is where you want to start!