The one thing my friendship with girls who model has thought me is that you should take your makeup seriously, especially the one covering your eyes. And, those girls can't even stress out how important it is to wear eye shadow on regular basis, which, translated, means: don't leave your house without it.

Although there is definitely some scientific point in not clogging your eyes with powder, I haven't in all my 24 :) years experienced any problems if I put good foundation under eye makeup.

So, why is eye shadow so important? Because it gives your look another dimension, be it dramatic or loveable, it makes your eyeliner stay put and it gives your mascara built lashes some background.

But, the best thing about putting makeup on your eyes is that you can than go nude (or glossy or lip balmy) on your lips without looking undone. Which, in return, gives you that great feeling of not having to check your Lipstick every five minutes or leaving nasty stains on glasses and napkins.

I'd like to share my usual eye makeup ritual with you, and trust me, this one works like a charm (suitable for office, school, or any other day activity):

Do your proper foundation work first. Apply any technique for hiding away imperfections you see fit (or you can use mine). Next, apply a layer of brownish or pinkish eye shadow to your upper lid, and to do this properly, use a brush with soft bristles. Than take a lighter tone eye shadow, with some shimmer, and apply it to the inner part of your eyelids (upper and lower). I've found MAC eye shadow in Vanilla to perform great. This trick will 'open' your eyes, make you look brighter and more rested.

All you have to do to finish your look is to apply a soft line with a dark brown or gray eye pencil, add a layer or two of mascara and some blush to your cheeks. Voila!