This Negative Space Rainbow Eye Makeup Doesn’t Even Look Real

February 25, 2021

By: Sarah Ferguson | Makeup.com by L'Oréal

Negative space nail art never gets old. It’s playful, typically easy to create and looks impossibly cool. Because we just can’t get enough, we recently tasked Serena Adelaide, one of our favorite graphic makeup wizards on Instagram, with translating the nail trend onto the eyes. She came up with a negative space eye look complete with a rainbow color palette and negative space blush with star-shaped faux freckles that we’re still not over. Feeling bold? Follow her step-by-tutorial below to try the truly unreal look for yourself.

STEP 1:

Apply Your Rainbow

Adelaide used the NYX Professional Makeup Brights Ultimate Shadow Palette to create a rainbow eye look both above and below the eyes with two wings. She started with the bright pink shade around the tear duct and finished with the lavender. Once all of the colors were applied, she blended the edges of each shade for a soft, seamless effect.
STEP 2:

Create the Negative Space

Using a small detail brush dipped into concealer, Adelaide painted three even vertical lines — one between the pink and orange shades, one between the yellow and green shades and one just before the end of each wing. She then applied another swipe of concealer from the outer corner of the eyes up to the tip of the top wing. Finally, she outlined the top and bottom of the rainbow eyeshadow with concealer.

STEP 3:

Create the Graphic Eyeliner

From her inner crease up to her brow bone, she painted three staggered, multi-colored lines to create the floating eyeliner. She used the same color palette as the eyeshadow, but in reverse order (i.e., she started with purple and ended with pink). She also made sure that the spaces between the three lines did not overlap with the negative spaces below.
STEP 4:

Finish the Eye Look

For finishing touches, Adelaide applied a thin layer of eyeliner along the top lash line and popped on some dramatic falsies.

STEP 5:

Go Wild With Blush

“Choose a pigmented blush and go ‘ham’ with it across your cheeks and cheekbones,” says Adelaide. For extra credit, she carved out some small dots and stars with concealer to create a dreamy, negative space cheek look.

Photography and Makeup: Serena Adelaide; Design: Hannah Packer

This Negative Space Rainbow Eye Makeup Doesn’t Even Look Real

STEP 1:

Apply Your Rainbow

STEP 2:

Create the Negative Space

STEP 3:

Create the Graphic Eyeliner

STEP 4:

Finish the Eye Look

STEP 5:

Go Wild With Blush

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