SMOKEY EYE - HOW TO WEAR IT LIKE A PRO

THE SMOKEY EYE. A key look for any woman to know, yet so many struggle from fear of looking like they have been punched in the face. However intimidating this look may appear to master, once you know the key steps to perfecting this makeup technique it can end up empowering you.

WHAT COLOUR EYESHADOW SHOULD I WEAR?

Not every smokey eye has to be done in the deepest black! If you aren’t quite ready for a black, try a warm bronzed approach, or even a cooler toned mushroom taupe. You can also work with colours which make your eyes pop, such as copper tones for blue eyes or plum tones for brown eyes. Brands such as Charlotte Tilbury have created easy to use palettes specifically for each eye colour, so this can make it easier for you if you don’t know where to start. Just remember that idea of a smokey eye is less about colour choice and more about the technique used when applying. Choose the colours that make you happy.

HOW TO CREATE A SMOKEY EYE MAKEUP.

PRIME - For a long-wearing makeup look, the best thing to do is start with some kind of base or primer over clean, oil-free eyes. This can be done with a wash of concealer or a Beauty Pie cream shadow in either a flesh tone or something similar to the colour you plan on wearing. Simply apply with fingertips or buff over the mobile lid with a fluffy brush, taking care to blend away any edges.

LINE - You can’t pull off a smokey eye without the aid of a little eyeliner. I find the creamier textures such as a MAC kohl pencil work best for looks like this, however if you’re worried about longevity, you can opt for long wear options. The eyeliner will go along both the upper and lower lash line to further emphasis lashes, making them appear darker and denser. This look is really all about building that intensity then blurring it up and away. Don’t worry about the line being neat, as you will blend it in the next step.

SMUDGE - Using a shader brush, smudge the liner along the lash line and up so to make the blend seamless. When you think of actual smoke, you see a lot of it near the source of the flame and then it fades as it rises. You want to mimic the same idea with this kind of look, so blending is key. Don’t forget to line your inner lower lash line after smudging to build the intensity and merge everything together.

SMOKE - To set this look, press a deep toned shadow into the lash line to seal in your eyeliner and push the intensity of colour at the roots. With the remaining product left on your brush, buff this over the lid and wash it through the eye contour. Again, blend, blend, blend. If you feel like you have blended the shadow too far out, take a little bit of moisturiser or makeup remover on a cotton tip and remove the areas you don’t like. You can always buff concealer back over these areas to even everything back up.

MASCARA - To finish off the look, curl lashes and layer on the mascara. The best mascaras for this kind of look are all about length, volume and intense BLACK colour. You want to make sure you can see the lashes alongside the shadow for definition. One of my favourites is Chantecaille’s Faux Cils Mascara is the brush allows you to coat each and every lash in a deep, jet black formula which conditions and keeps lashes soft and fluffy without flaking.

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