There are some great step-by-step photos in the 'Tutorials' section of this website, so you might find some inspiration there.
As for my suggestion: Start off with a good eyecolor base to prime the eyelid. Some to try are Paints, CCB's, Shadesticks, and Prep & Prime Eye. Bare Canvas is a 'cult' favorite on this website, and I do agree it is the color I go to most for a good neutral base without shimmer.
To avoid muddiness, try not to layer your colors too much except at the point where they meet. For example, if you are to use a light color such as Shroom, and a dark color such as Mulch, apply the Shroom first, on browbone down to crease, and down in front of eyes for highlight. THEN take your Mulch, and put on lid up to the crease (wing out a little on the outer edges of eyes for a more smokey cat eye effect that is still subtle). Only blend where the two meet, using a clean brush and a couple of light quick brushstrokes. Wipe brush on a towel lightly to shake off color, and do the same to the other side. Don't let the brush go too far into the Mulch, or else you will drag excess dark color into your highlight and thus cause muddiness. Try this a few times for practice on the back of your hand, till you get a light enough hand with your brush to only blend where the colors meet. In time, you will even get a hand enough to apply a third, or fourth color (or more!) with well-blended results.