Smokey-Eyes (Professional-looking)

Expert Eye Make-up Techniques for Day and Night

For a cool smoky-eye, check out these easy tips to get eyes that look like they were done by a professional.

Ever tried to imitate the smokey-eye look seen on a favorite celebrity? Well, it’s not necessary to be famous or Kristen Stewart’s makeup artist to create the same flawless look. No matter what the occasion, these simple tips are timeless and great for a day at the office or a night at the club.

Make-up Tools Needed for the Day and Night Looks:

• Eye primer (This helps set the eyeshadow in place)
• 2 Shadows: A base shade (a light shade) and an accentuating shade (a dark shade)
• Eyeliner (Use an eye pencil for the day look and liquid eyeliner for an extra kick on top lids at night)
• Makeup brushes (Sonia Kashuk Brush Sets are high-quality and bargain-priced)
• Mascara (Try the maximizing/volumizing mascara for an optimal effect)

Easy, Professional Application Tips:

1. It all begins with the prep. To keep the eyeshadow from disappearing into the eyelid crease, use a primer as an eyeshadow base. This keeps lids oil-free, and the shadow in place throughout the day. Check out Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion.
2. Define with a line. If it’s a fresh, glowy look that’s desired, go with an eye pencil liner in black, gray, or brown. But, if you want a little more drama, consider brighter colors like navy blue, dark green, burgundy, or violet – these colors create a beautiful jewel-toned smokey eye. Simply apply the chosen liner slightly above the upper lash line, thickening the line as it moves towards the middle of the eye and out. Don’t forget to apply liner to the bottom lids as well, but do so lightly. Smudge pencil marks delicately to start the smokey effect.
3. Add the base. Apply base shadow, which should be the lighter of your two shades, over the lids towards the browbone. For day looks, neutral tones, like beiges and pale shimmers, are always winners. MAC’s Chamomile and Ego eyeshadows are brilliant neutral shades.
4. Accentuate with the dark. Start at the lash line and blend in the darker color, until the eyeliner fades into the shadow. Don’t apply darker shade beyond the crease of the eye. Use a cotton swab or q-tips for mess-ups.
5. Match the eyes: Examine eyes at different angles to access whether they look the same. Make corrections as needed — lightly removing with q-tips or applying more shadow where desired.
6. Don’t forget the lashes. Complete the look and maximize the lashes with a high-definition mascara, like Benefit Cosmetics BADgal Lash Mascara.

Remember, the smokey-eye look doesn’t end with the eyes. When creating a natural, dew-kissed smokey-eye, play-up the lips, and go for a rich lip shade like a red, berry, or plum. When sporting and the over-the-top smokey eye, understate the lips, using a nude color. These suggested combinations ensure that the makeup looks professional and flawless, and not overdone.

Also, don’t be afraid to experiment with vibrant eyeshadow colors for “playful” eyes, as well as different shadow textures, like eyeshadow pigments, minerals, and creams