How To Apply A Smoky Eye Makeup

There is nothing more sexy than smoky eyes to go with a hot dress on a night out. Smoky eyes are fashionable and more so now than ever! Celebrities such as Natalie Portman, Jessica Alba, and Keira Knightley are sporting this look. This makeup technique, when done properly, can be flattering and sexy. Notice how Jessica Alba's eyes are the center of focus in the photo to the left.

The common myth that achieving the smoky eye look requires the application of black and/or gray eye makeup is just plain false. In fact, the smoky eye look can be achieved using untraditional, fun colors such as gold, purple, or green. For a fun, eye-grabbing, smoky eye look you must try read on.

How To Apply A Smoky Eye Makeup

Color suggestions:

• Soft gold base and a deep purple
• Champagne base with bright blue
• Peach base with green hue

You can find these shades and all of your cosmetic needs at our affiliates: DermStore.com, LovelySkin.com, Smashbox cosmetics and e.l.f. Cosmetics.

How To Apply A Smoky Eye Makeup

Getting Smoky Eyes

1) Preparation: Start by applying a primer to your eyelid. This will ensure that the oil on your eyelid is neutralized. A daily moisturizer can serve a dual purpose by acting as a makeup primer and moisturizer for your skin.

2) Apply Eyeliner: Apply black pencil eyeliner to your upper and lower lash lines. Be sure to draw the line slightly thicker at the middle of your eye. Then smudge the liner with your fingers or a Q-tip to soften and diffuse the edges. For those with hard to reach blonde lash roots, try using a very fine-tipped black liquid liner to accomplish what a bulkier mascara wand cannot by painting color directly onto individual lashes. The smaller the tip and the handle, the better.

To make liquid eyeliner less intimidating to use, Avon Global Creative Color Director Jillian Dempsey suggests creating a liner 'stencil' by going over the lash line with a taupe pencil first. Then apply liquid liner over that.

"Extend the life of your eyeliner by setting it with powder
and going over it with a matching shade of shadow. It makes
the eyeliner bullterproof."
-Mally Roncal, celebrity makeup artist.

3) Using a medium-size eyeshadow brush, apply the base color along your brow bone down to your upper lid crease. The base color should be a light shade. The secret to a perfect smoky eye is pairing a lighter base with a darker shade. A "mousse" shadow works best (try pearl or taupe).

4) Use another medium-size eyeshadow brush to apply a darker shade of eyeshadow along the upper lash line. Then blend it upward to your crease, gradually getting lighter, for a wash of color over the entire lid. Continue blending up and outward toward your temple. Stop about 1/4-inch beyond the outer edge of your eye. Use a Q-tip to fix any mistakes.

5) Finish off the look with mascara. Remember to curl your lashes to open up your eyes and give the end of your lashes an extra coat to create extension.

Hollywood beauties know that "heat" is the secret to keeping curled, long-lasting eyelashes! A regular cold eyelash curler only keeps lashes curled for a couple of hours. The TALIKA Heated Eye Lash Curler is battery operated and generates enough warm to curl your lashes, but remains cool to your skin. You can find yours at Cosme-De.com

"For a quick, clean way to avoid mascara smudges, hold a plastic spoon under the upper and lower lashes to shield the rest of your eye makeup. It fits right under your eye, and you just throw it in the trash where you're done."
-Carmindy, makeup artist on TLC's What Not to Wear.

The smoky eye look has been a popular trend throughout the decades and there's no sign that it will end anytime soon. Try adding blue or purple mascara to your smoky eye look to really make your eyes "pop." How to apply a smoky eye makeup? Remember, the key to a perfect smoky eye is to blend, blend, and then blend some more.

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