Smokey Eye 101

Many women love the look of a smoldering smokey eye. Whether it be soft or dramatic, a smokey eye can be seductive and sexy. This is another one of those makeup techniques that some often find difficult to master.

Many cosmetic companies are making smokey eye shadow palettes. Stila Cosmetics has the Original Smokey Eye Palette. Sephora Brand also has a similar product as well. Bobbi Brown Cosmetics has the Basic Eye Palette with soft neutral shades of brown and cream. These are just a few of my favorite eye shadow palettes.

STEP 1: Apply your base makeup as usual. Apply a matte blush in a rosy shade, then apply a lip balm, gloss or nude lipstick to lips and blot. I like to keep the face makeup really light when doing a dramatic smokey eye.

STEP 2: Prep the eye with an eye shadow base like Urban Decay Eye Shadow Primer Potion, let dry and then blot with a translucent powder. Apply a light to medium shade of brown eye shadow to the entire eyelid and blend well. Place your middle finger at the outer corner of your eye, and gently lift the eye up. Dip the same brush into a darker shade of Brown or black, making sure to gently tap the brush to shake off any excess shadow. Apply the darker color into the crease and outer corners of the eye area. Take a clean blending brush and blend the entire eye area. Line the upper and lower lash line with a soft black or brown eye pencil and smudge and then line the inside of the eyes with a black kohl eye pencil.

STEP 3: Apply a coat or two of a thickening black mascara like, Yves Saint Laurent Mascara Volume Effet Faux Cils. To finish off the look. Add a few individual eye lashes to the outer corners of the eye for a little extra drama.