No matter what I try, it always comes out weakly. I am using a milani primer with an eco tool brush and I can only get a black and purple blue from a palette that I need to come out dark. Pinks, oranges, reds, etc. are all very light. What is the problem here?
You can also try using an eyeshadow base. Eyeshadow base is different than primer. White is most commonly used, but I’ve also used black, red, pink, etc.
Anything that has a creamier texture (thicker than concealer, think the kind of products that come in pots. Cream eyeshadows are fantastic) makes a good base imho. Ive also used eyeliners as bases before, like the NYX Jumbo pencils.
Edit: you can also use a matte white concealer as a base, but imho concealer is a lot less beginner friendly esp depending on your eye shape and it is easy to apply too much or too thick and get creasing or clumping.
I would guess the eye shadows you’re using are the issue here. Some shadows look vibrant in the pan but don’t really do much when you apply them. It’s really helpful to look for reviews and swatches so you can get an idea of how the shadows will perform. (And don’t assume that expensive = good, cheaper = bad! I have plenty of very inexpensive shadows that work beautifully and sometimes high-end and luxury shadows are complete trash.)
It could also be what kind of brush you use; is it dense or fluffy? A fluffy brush is good for applying a light wash of color or blending out existing colors, but to pack color onto your eyelids, it’s better to use a denser, stiffer brush.
What brand eyeshadows do you use?
Try gently patting shades on the lid with the brush or even your finger and then blending them out in the shape you want
Milani eye primer is pretty good.What you can do to intensify the pigment is-Use a dense flat shader brush, take the shadow and spritz it lightly with a setting spray.I actually saw a Mac artist swatching their eyeshadows with and without Mac fix+ and the difference it made was PHENOMENAL.MAC isn’t a cruelty free brand but you can try it with other setting sprays as well.
You can try wetting your brush with setting spray before dipping into your shadow. That can help certain formulas show better on the eyes. You might also try applying the shadows with your fingertips.
Primer. Do one eye with, one eye without to see the difference!
Some high end brands are more pigmented.
And never discount that a lot of pictures you see online are edited.
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Not sure if this will work with your drugstore palettes but check this video out. I just saw it yesterday and haven’t tried it out but it seems very easy. She shows three comparisons with just eyeshadow, eyeshadow mixed with concealer, and eyeshadow mixed with primer. This isn’t like applying the concealer/primer to the eye then the shadows, this is scraping a bit of color and literally making a paste before applying. [the video by Smithadeepak](https://youtu.be/CtfTehk6dwo)