Want to break away from the standard "eyeshadow plus black mascara" routine without going over the top? A simple change can yield surprisingly impressive results.

Start by applying eye cream as a base and dabbing concealer under the eyes. Using a small, flat eyeliner brush dipped in black gel liner, gently lift your upper eyelid and trace along the lash line. This makes your eyes look larger and your lashes more defined. Remember: always curl your lashes before applying makeup.

Trace your upper lash line with a thick black or dark brown eyeliner pencil, then smudge the color upwards with your ring finger, letting it fade out toward the brow bone. Remember: if you have puffy eyelids, apply a heavier line and smudge it more intensely; the dark color helps minimize the appearance of puffiness.

Dust some translucent loose powder over your eyelids to set the makeup. Remember: Avoid applying concealer to your eyelids before eyeshadow. While people often do this to even out skin tone, concealer tends to melt quickly and ruin the rest of your eye makeup.

Sweep some light brown powder over your eyelids to even out the color. If you want to experiment with more shades, try adding touches of green or gray. Remember: if your eyes are close-set, focus the eyeliner and eyeshadow intensity on the outer corners; if they are wide-set, distribute the color more evenly.

Finish your everyday look with a coat of mascara. Sweep lashes near the outer corner toward your temples, those near the inner corner toward your nose, and the middle lashes straight up toward your forehead. Remember: avoid applying too much mascara at the roots, as this can create a clumpy, "spidery" look. A single coat is enough-simply blinking can add a touch of sparkle to your lower lash line.