eye makeup

Photo: Kevin Cremens

The Colors: Intense, sometimes unexpected, surprisingly versatile shades

The Medium: Shadows, pencils, wands

The Technique: Use a brush or sponge to blend out vivid shadows to your desired brightness. Or get dynamite definition with dark, pigment-packed liners and mascaras.

Next: The season's best products
loreal eye palette

Photo: Kevin Cremens

1. 0.44 mm tip, 2-second dry time, 12-hour wear: L'Oréal The Super Slim Liner by Infallible

$9; drugstores
estee lauder

Photo: Kevin Cremens

2. Deep, sparkling aubergine that won't crease: Estée Lauder Shadow in Cosmic

$24, EsteeLauder.com
Guerlain eye shadow

Photo: Studio106

3. A gorgeous new neutral, silver-khaki: Guerlain 4 Couleurs in Coup de Foudre

$59, NeimanMarcus.com
Mercier Eyes

Photo: Kevin Cremens

4. A subtle, sultry copper: Laura Mercier Eye Colour in Fire Glow

$24, LauraMercier.com
YSL eyes

Photo: Kevin Cremens

5. Shimmery jade flatters all skin tones: YSL Pure Chromatics Collector

$55, YSLBeautyUS.com
NYC Color

Photo: CKUBE

6. Ultrapale pink illuminates lids: NYC Color IndividualEyes in Midtown Mauve

$5, drugstores
Covergirl mascara

Photo: Kevin Cremens

7. For dark, glossy lashes: CoverGirl Clump Crusher Mascara

$7, drugstores
Chanel Eyeliner

Photo: Kevin Cremens

8. Copper-flecked brown that intensifies every eye color: Chanel Long-Lasting Eyeliner in Santal

$30, Chanel.com
Dior Eyes

Photo: Kevin Cremens

9. Rich chocolate: Dior Diorshow Mono in Velvet

$29, Dior.com
Clinique Mascara

Photo: Cathy Crawford

10. Extreme length that won't smudge: Clinique High Impact Waterproof Mascara

$16, Clinique.com
Sephora

Photo: Philip Friedman/Studio D

11. Matte pink that's refined, not bubblegum: Sephora Eyeshadow in Prom Queen

$13, Sephora.com
Bobbi Brown

12. One stroke brightens eyes: Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Cream Shadow Stick in Vanilla

$28, BobbiBrown.com
loreal eyeliner

13. White and blue layer for a soft, smoky effect: L'Oréal Colour Riche Eye Shadow in Skinny Jeans

$8, drugstores
Almay Eyes

Photo: Kevin Cremens

14. A pop of purple enhances brown eyes: Almay Intense i-Color Bold Nudes for Brown Eyes

$7.50, drugstores

Next: Spring's best new lipsticks