When it comes to creating smoky eyes, there is more than one technique; from the color you use to how dark or light one uses it. Yet when you get down to it, it's really the way you blend your eye shadow colors that creates the perfect set of smoky eyes.
There are two major problems when blending, how it's done and what you use when you are blending. We are going to tackle both problems and by following these techniques, your eyes will become the sultry set we know you can create.
You need:
Highlight color
2 different colors of eye shadow; one dark and one light
Blending Makeup Brush
Angle Makeup Brush
Eyeliner
Eye Shadow Primer/foundation
Powder eye shadow (I prefer mineral eye shadow but any will work for this just as well)
Eyelash Enhancer (try Magic Lash Eyelash Enhancer)
Black Mascara (try Black Magic Mascara)
If you use an eye shadow primer, apply it or your foundation (whatever you use to keep your eye shadow from disappearing).
Wait a few minutes, and then cover your eyelid to the crease with your white eye shadow. For truly smoky eyes, use a pale grey instead of white.
Place your dark eye shadow, starting at the halfway point, out to the outer corner of your eyes. You can stop there or you can keep going out about one fourth of an inch to create that amazing V. Find out how that is done by reading further into this article.
You should apply your dark eye shadow up to the crease of your eye as well. When you look at your eye it should look like you have a half-circle from the inner to the middle of your eyelid with the white eye shadow, followed by the other half of the circle being the dark eye shadow. When you look straight ahead, the dark should start where the dark part of your eyes are (your pupils).
Using small brush strokes with your blending makeup brush, start blending, going from the inner lid out. It must be all in one direction or it's going to become 'muddy'.
You then start blending at the line out over your lid to meet up with the outer corner of your eyes.
It's up to you just how much you want to blend. You can blend until there is no line between the dark or white or you can leave some; the look you want is totally up to you.
Whatever you do, don't go back and forth like windshield wipers because this will create black eyes, not smoky eyes!
When it comes to blending, one should use a makeup brush created just for that purpose because of the way the brush is made. It will blend the eye shadow along the top lashes better since it can get closer to the base of the lashes. Use your angled brush to apply eye shadow as eyeliner, or if you prefer you can use an eyeliner pencil. Sometimes an eyeliner pencil can be harder on your lid by pulling it, whereas eye shadow smoothes in place.
Start with a little of the dark color and blend the line, adding color until you have it as dark as you need. This technique can be created with any two colors. Teal and purples are showing up as the 'in' colors to use, as well as shades of blue. Smoky eyes are whatever color you want it to be; there is no fast rule saying it must be black. Too many women have tried to create smoky eyes only to end up either looking like they slept in their makeup or they have black eyes.
Now that you have your eye shadow just like you want it, it's time to apply your mascara. If you are using a regular type of mascara, pre-curl your lashes, but if you are using Black Magic Mascara you won't need to pre-curl. Apply a thin layer of mascara then apply Magic Lash just on your outer lashes (Magic Lash is offered by http://Overallbeauty.com and instructions on how to use it properly is included). Let it dry for a moment, and then apply another layer of mascara. The Magic Lash will give you Hollywood style lashes, making you look as if you are wearing fake lashes but without the fuss and mess.
Once you are done, take a good look at your eyes in natural light to make sure that the look you are going for is there. You'll soon see that creating the perfect smoky eyes is a breeze once you have done it a few times!
Whatever you do, the best thing you can do for your lower lashes is not to line inside your eyelid. It may look great on models in the pictures but they are not wearing it all the time. You may get an eye infection by doing so.
If you want the 'V' at the corner of your eyes, take your dark eye shadow color out, as far you want your 'V' to be. Blend it well so that it doesn't look hard. You can even turn the tip up as to create 'cat eyes'. As you blend, make sure you are brushing out, not back and forth because once again you will make it look muddy.
If you are using mineral eye shadow and you get some on your cheek, take a Q-Tip dipped in either moisturizer or plain water to remove it. You can try taking a round sponge and 'picking up' the eye shadow without getting it anywhere else.
Don't forget that you do not need a dark lip color because you want your eyes to be what is noticed most, not your lips. If you want to wear dark lipstick then forget the smoky eyes.
Now go put on your favorite outfit, walk through your favorite perfume and off you go!
Copyright: Copyright © 2006-2008 Kim M Snyder
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| Copyright © 2006 Kim M Snyder |
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