Anne Houseman’s layer-cake lid

Great for a wild night out or a tame day at the office,  lush, layer-cake lids are a BX favorite.  The best part? You don’t have to sacrifice an arm and a leg on expensive shadows to get this fun look.

Want them for yourself?  Anne Houseman layered her own lids with e.l.f. Brightening Eye Color in Luxe (costs only $1!) and shows you how to get the same look with these simple steps:

1.  Prime it up! This is an often-overlooked step, but if you prime your eye area before starting, your shadows will last much longer without creasing or sliding off.   You can buy products specifically designed for this, but you can also get a quick fix yourself by applying foundation and then translucent pressed powder on your whole eye area.

2. Line Dance. Create a clean eyeliner look by starting halfway through your lids and widening the line as you move toward the outer corner of your eye. Jordana Kohl Kajal Eye Liner Wood Pencil is a nice creamy liner that does the trick for only $1.99 at Walgreens.

3. Create a Layer Cake. Sweep the entire lid with the taupe/brown-colored shadow.  Next, tap on the “red” shadow about halfway on your lid and blend to the outer corner.  Then, apply the dark brown just on the outer edge and blend up into the crease.  Brush on the light golden shadow up under the brow for a nice highlight.  For a “winged” look, use the tip of the sponge applicator line your lower lashes, and extend up at an angle toward the end of your brow.

NOTE – Using brushes instead of a sponge applicator help you get a softer, blended look.  Blend, blend, blend, so you don’t get a hard separation between the colors!

4. Lash Out. Make your eyes pop by curling your lashes and sweeping on a coat of mascara. Maybelline Volum’  Express Turbo Boost in Very Black is inexpensive (only $7.49 at CVS) and works like a dream!

Voila!  You’re eyes look as scrumptious as a raspberry/chocolate layer-cake.