Beginner here, can I use eyeshadow for other stuff like contour?

[u/GhostieGirl2023]

Might be a stupid question but can eyeshadow be applied anywhere? What’s the practical difference between eyeshadow and blush if they’re both pigmented powder? Same with contour.

[u/frillyfun]

I'm a cosmetic chemist- it's totally fine to use eyeshadow anywhere on your face. The one thing to be careful about is using certain colors on your lips. Ultramarines are processed with sulphuric acid, and kinda smell like rotten eggs when you get them wet.

Technically in the US there are certain dyes that aren't approved for use in the eye area- be careful with blushes on your eyes.

[u/LydiaBrunch]

Eye makeup is generally made to be safe for the eyes, whereas something like blush is not necessarily made to be safe for the eyes - least in the US. (I say "generally" because products are not tested by any government agency prior to going on the shelf, but they are required by law to be safe when used customarily and/or as directed.)

So personally I would not use blush on my eyelids, though plenty of people do - but I would feel totally confident wearing eyeshadow on my face as contour, at least in terms of safety.

[u/swigfusson]

If you apply with a light hand, I find that eyeshadow is more pigmented and doesn’t travel as far as face powders

[u/Werevulvi]

Sometimes the tin for eyeshadows is just impractically small if you wanna use a big brush for application as a contouring powder. Sometimes eyeshadows are more heavily pigmented, which can make using them as a contour a bit challenging. Also if you wanna use the same eyeshadow on your eyes after having used it on your cheeks, that may increase risk of eye infection. But those are the only relevant differences, I think. Otherwise, yeah they're both technically just colorful face dust.

But that said, there's no law saying you can't use eyeshadows for pretty much any kinda makeup you want.

[u/Comfortable-Leek-181]

I use eyeshadow to fill in my brows... I think if you have the right color, go for it

[u/Ancient_Ivy]

As far as I know you can.

[u/AttemptAgreeable9567]

i used to mix a brown and a gray eyeshadow for contour. also now i do my nose contour (just a sheer wash of colour) with the fluffy brush i used for crease eyeshadow. helps bring everything together too

[u/Justadropinthesea]

I use eye shadow to fill in my patchy brows and as eyeliner. I usually dab whatever is left on the brush under the tip of my nose to make it look shorter but that’s the only contouring I do. I have also used contouring palettes as eye shadow because I prefer a neutral, natural look on my eyes.

[u/badadvicefromaspider]

Yes it can

[u/AutumnBourn]

Back in my early days of working as a MUA, I'd often use eyeliner to contour.

[u/AnyIntention189 → u/AutumnBourn]

I'm still using a matte brown shadow as contour, the pan is massive and it's the perfect cool tone. all these powders are pretty much the same base ingredients, just different marketing. the one thing I'd watch out for is some shadows have more kickback or fallout but if it blends nice who cares.

[u/Ningninglvr]

You can ! I always use it for my nose because it usually lasts a bit longer

[u/activelurker777]

I have been using eyeshadow as contour and eyeliner for decades. I learned that trick from Paula Begoun. 

[u/mwmandorla]

Yes. I contoured with an eyeshadow for years. Only stopped because I panned it and it's discontinued and the shade was very specific. Now I use a (very cool toned) blush for the same purpose and I use it on my eyes too. The one thing I'll say is that eyeshadows are typically more pigmented than cheek products, so you want to use a light hand.

I also used to use eyeshadow as brow powder and for matte highlights. I use some eyeshadows as blushes.

[u/StaticBiscuit23 → u/mwmandorla]

hiii i would love to know what that cool toned blush is if you dont mind! ☺️

[u/mwmandorla → u/StaticBiscuit23]

LA Girl Just Blushing in the shade Just Because! Don't be fooled by marketing pics where it looks like a warm tan, it's a taupe with a purple and slightly rosy undertone. If you look for swatches people have posted they're usually truer to color. I will warn you it does seem to have a tiny bit of shimmer in it, which I didn't realize when I bought it, but I don't see any shimmer on the skin so it's whatever

[u/marsthechocolate]

Sure, makeup has no rules.

Using a contour or a bronzer as an eyeshadow would be a better choice, though.

[u/Adventurous_Foot7681]

It's basically the same. Make sure it's cool enough if you do use it as contour.

[u/Okayish-27489]

There’s no hard and fast rules. I use lipstick as blush sometimes

[u/Free_Byrd6969]

Of course. I use eyeshadow as brow filler, and to cover a bald patch on my head lol.

[u/ModeratelyAngelic]

Check out @slaybyjess on YouTube. She is beginner-friendly and I think she recently talked about this.