Smoky eyes is a look that I am always asked how to achieve.

It's an all-time classic that suits everyone and whatever is in fashion at the time, a smoky eye will look great and compliment any outfit. The key to a fabulous smoky eye is blending, so this is not a look that can be done quickly, you need to take your time.  

The dark part of the smoky eye doesn't have to be just black or brown, it can be any dark colour you want - purple, dark green, navy blue etc. and it will be teamed up with a base colour in a lighter tone. A trick with the smoky eye is to apply your foundation and concealer afterwards so that any eyeshadow that has dropped down can be removed without spoiling the rest of your makeup. Here's my guide for creating your own smoky eye look: 

1.  You definitely do not want this look to melt, so start by prepping your lids with an eyeshadow base/primer applied across the lids.  My favourites are Estee Lauder Eyeshadow Base and Urban Decay's Primer Potion.   If you don't own a primer you can apply a thin layer of foundation and powder to your eyelids instead. 

2.  Next apply your eyeliner.  You will need an eyeliner pencil that is easy to smudge in a corresponding colour to your darker shadow, so purple if you're going for a purple smokey eye, dark brown if it's going to be brown etc.  Draw a line across the lids above the upper lash line and then under the bottom lashes.  Smudge this line with a brush designed for smudging (usually foam or dome shaped) or use a cotton bud.  You can then apply your eyeliner inside the eye (the waterline) for a more intense look but remember this will make your eyes pop but will also make them look smaller, so if you have small eyes miss out this step or use a white or nude colour eyeliner instead. 

3.  Apply your base colour across the whole lid up to the brow in a shade that will compliment your darker shadow.  Here are some of my suggestions:  soft gold goes with purple and brown; champagne goes with dark blue; peachy tones go with dark greens; soft silver and pale coffee colours go with black.  Your base colour can be either a powder or a cream eyeshadow.

4.  Now blend in your darker colour by applying a small amount to the outer corner of the eye below the crease.   This must be a powder eyeshadow as cream eyeshadows are very difficult to blend. (I always use a small eyeshadow brush to apply the colour and then a fluffy shading brush to blend in).  Using a windscreen wiper motion blend the colour from the outside towards the centre of the eye and do not go above the creaseline.  Build up the colour to the intensity you want.  The key here is to keep blending until your base colour and dark colour softly melt into each other – this is the smoky effect you want to achieve.

5.  Now step back and have a look.  You can use a cotton bud on any areas which need tidying up.

6.  Apply lots of black (never brown) mascara for full lashes.

7.  Remember to keep your lips nude and use a peach or brown blusher (not pink) so that the focus is on the eyes.

Your eyes will now be smoking hot!

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