How to Wear Green Eyeshadow: Easy Mermaid-Inspired Makeup Tutorial
Wondering how to wear green eyeshadow without going overboard? This easy mermaid-inspired makeup tutorial combines gorgeous green and blue eyeshadow, glowing skin, and nude lipstick for the perfect summer beauty look.
Hello gorgeous! If there’s one makeup trend that makes me want to step outside my usual neutral eyeshadow routine, it’s colourful, mermaid-inspired makeup. Think gorgeous shades of green, turquoise, blue, glowing skin, and a little extra shimmer. SO pretty! Whether you’re getting ready for a summer party, heading to the beach, attending a festival, or planning a fun Halloween mermaid makeup look, green eyeshadow is such a beautiful way to experiment with colour. I recently returned from a gorgeous getaway to Estérel Resort in Quebec with my friend Marie, and I’m still dreaming about it! We spent the week relaxing in a beautiful suite with a private balcony overlooking Lake Dupuis, swimming, canoeing, paddleboarding, and enjoying all the waterfront views. Basically, I was living my best mermaid life! While we were there, I had the chance to photograph this mermaid-inspired makeup look featuring Luminess Air products beside the rocks on our private beach. I loved how the vibrant eyeshadow complemented the water, and I couldn’t wait to share the look with you! The best part? You don’t need to be a professional makeup artist to recreate this look. I’m breaking down how to wear green eyeshadow step by step, from creating a glowing complexion to blending colourful eyeshadow and finishing with the perfect nude lip.
How to Wear Green Eyeshadow for a Mermaid-Inspired Makeup Look
Step 1: Create a Smooth Base With Foundation
Every gorgeous makeup look starts with a good base! Before applying colourful eyeshadow, I like to even out my complexion so the finished look feels polished without being overly heavy. Start with your favourite moisturizer and sunscreen, then apply foundation using a brush, sponge, or your preferred application method. For this mermaid-inspired makeup tutorial, I used this foundation because I loved its lightweight feel and full-coverage appearance. It helped create a smooth-looking complexion while still feeling comfortable throughout the day. If you’re recreating this look during the summer, choose a foundation that works with your skin type and the weather. You want something that feels comfortable, especially if you’re spending time outdoors! My biggest tip is to blend your foundation down toward your jawline and neck so everything looks seamless. You can always add a little concealer to areas where you want extra coverage rather than applying a thick layer of foundation everywhere.
Step 2: Add Bronzer and Highlighter for Glowing Skin
If mermaids wore makeup, I’m pretty sure they’d be obsessed with bronzer and highlighter. I mean, can you imagine a mermaid without glowing skin?! This step adds warmth, dimension, and a gorgeous luminous finish that complements colourful eyeshadow beautifully. I started by applying this matte waterproof bronzer underneath my cheekbones, blending from my hairline toward the centre of my cheeks. I also applied a small amount along the sides of my nose for subtle definition. When contouring, remember that less is more! Start with a small amount of product and gradually build until you’re happy with the result. Next came my favourite part: highlighter! I used my all-time favourite highlighter on the tops of my cheekbones, along the bridge of my nose, and lightly on the centre of my forehead to create a soft, radiant glow. A pearly or champagne-toned highlighter works beautifully with green and blue eyeshadow because it adds shimmer without competing with the colourful eye makeup.
Step 3: Fill In and Define Your Eyebrows
Defined brows help frame your eyes, especially when you’re wearing bold eyeshadow. For this look, I wanted my eyebrows to appear full and polished without looking too harsh. I used this eyebrow pencil to fill in sparse areas using short, light strokes that followed the natural direction of my brow hairs. Once I finished filling them in, I used the spoolie brush on the end of the pencil to blend the colour and soften the overall appearance. This is SUCH an easy trick for making your eyebrows look more natural! You want your brows to complement the dramatic eyeshadow rather than compete with it.
Step 4: Apply Green and Blue Eyeshadow
Now for the FUN part! If you’ve been wondering how to wear green eyeshadow, this is where the mermaid magic happens. Instead of using one flat colour across the entire eyelid, I combined multiple shades to create dimension and make the eyeshadow really stand out. Mermaid-inspired makeup is all about beautiful jewel tones, so think emerald green, turquoise, teal, blue, and even purple. For this look, I used this eyeshadow palette. I started by mixing the shades Blaze and Weekender and applying them beneath my eyebrows, to the inner portion of my eyelids, and along the inner lower lash line. This helped brighten my eyes and create a soft highlighted effect. Next, I applied Radio and Big Sky across my eyelids and along my lower lash lines. These gorgeous blue and green-inspired shades were the stars of the look! To make the colours appear more vibrant, I lightly dampened my eyeshadow brush before picking up the product. Be sure your eyeshadow formula is suitable for damp application, and avoid getting water directly into the palette. I then blended a little more Radio into my crease to create depth and tie everything together. My biggest tip for wearing colourful eyeshadow is to BLEND, BLEND, BLEND! You want the different shades to transition smoothly rather than looking like separate blocks of colour. Start with a little product and gradually build the intensity until you achieve your desired look. If you’re new to green eyeshadow, you can always start with a subtle wash of colour before experimenting with a more dramatic mermaid makeup look.
Step 5: Create a Winged Eyeliner Look
Once your eyeshadow is blended, it’s time to add a little extra drama with eyeliner! I used my trusty liquid eyeliner to create a defined black wing along my upper lash line. I love how winged eyeliner adds contrast to bright green and blue eyeshadow, helping the colours stand out even more. If you’re not comfortable creating a dramatic wing, don’t worry! You can keep the eyeliner thin and close to your lashes or skip it altogether. Mermaid-inspired makeup is all about having fun with colour, so there’s no need to make the look more complicated than it needs to be.
Step 6: Finish Your Eyes With Volumizing Mascara
No mermaid-inspired makeup look is complete without beautiful, fluttery lashes! I applied this mascara to add length and volume to my lashes. I loved the densely bristled wand and the water-resistant formula, which felt especially fitting for a makeup look inspired by spending time near the water. For a little extra drama, I also applied false eyelashes to make my eyes really pop. This step is completely optional, but I love how dramatic lashes complement bold eyeshadow. If you prefer a more natural look, a couple of coats of your favourite mascara will work beautifully. One quick beauty tip: If you’re planning to wear this makeup around the pool or beach, choose eye products specifically labelled water-resistant or waterproof. Even then, makeup may not stay perfectly in place during swimming, so it’s worth keeping your expectations realistic!
Step 7: Complete the Look With Nude Lipstick
When I’m wearing colourful eyeshadow, I usually prefer keeping my lips soft and neutral. This helps balance the makeup and allows the eyes to be the main focus. For this look, I finished with this affordable nude lipstick, which I had been loving for months. It gives a similar warm nude lip look to MAC Velvet Teddy without the luxury makeup price tag. A nude lipstick is the perfect finishing touch for mermaid-inspired makeup because it complements bright eyeshadow without making the overall look feel too busy. You can also add a little clear gloss if you prefer a shinier, more summery finish. SO pretty!
