Makeup School: Day 9 - Smokey Eyes

A classic smokey eye is an absolutely stunning look. But black can also be the most difficult shade to work with in order to create that smoke-like effect. There is also nothing stopping you from using other colours to create a smokey eye. Brown works very well on most people! Of course, the secret is all in the blending. Blend blend blend blend BLEND!

As the eyes are so intense, it's best to keep the rest of the makeup fairly low-key with natural shades. Remember the guide of emphasising one facial feature at a time! (I'm going to go on to break this, eventually :d)

Here's how it's done:

Smokey eye makeup on Sami Model Mayhem #1806160

1. Concentrate eye primer on mobile lids so the dark shadow will adhere better to the wet primer and blends easier on the dry areas
2. Wash a dark eyeshadow completely over the mobile lid. I like to stop just short of the crease and start blending from there. Unfortunately, the first application of shadow will look like the model has been punched. We'll tend to that in a sec...
3. Deepen the wash of colour on mobile lid and blend blend blend with a fluffy brush upwards towards brow bone. Take it as far up as you're comfortable with. I tend to leave a gap for highlighting the brow bone
4. Drag the colour under the eye from outer corners in. It won't matter if it looks a bit messy. That's what gives smokey eyes a sultry look!
5. Use a neutral or brighter shade to highlight brow bone and blend downwards to form a gradient with the dark shadow
6. Line top and bottom with eyeliner pencil and 'set' the waxy texture with eyeshadow as well as blending it into surrounding colour
7. Brows must be filled in to complete the look. A clear, defined brow works best