The traditional makeup colours are, of course, black or grey. You
are however not limited to these colour choices, you can also use less intense colours
such as: violet, chocolate, coffee, dark pink, copper, dark green, dark blue or purple.
Remember that colours should be chosen keeping in mind your eye colour, hair colour and skin tone and NOT the colour of the clothes you wear. You will need to choose 2 colour coordinated eye shadows. A darker colour and a lighter supporting colour.
What suits different eye colours?
For Blue eyes, in addition to black or grey, violet, purple or dark blue eye shadow will look great. The dark blue eye shadow in particular, as it will be darker than your eye colour, will accentuate your blue eyes.
For Green or Hazel eyes, in addition to black or grey, try a deep khaki, dark green, brown, purple or plum colour eye shadow.
For Brown eyes, in addition to black or grey, copper, coffee, and brown will give you a great smoky eye effect. Deep blue and plum would also look fabulous.
Smoky eye makeup tip: Use powdery eye shadows. Do not use creamy texture eye shadows as they are more difficult to smudge and blend.
Step 2: Choose your eyeliner pencil
Choose a soft eyeliner pencil of the same colour or a complementary shade to your eye shadow.
Smoky eye makeup tip: Never use liquid eyeliner. Liquid eyeliners are better for sharper lines, not a soft and sultry finish.
Step 3: Apply your foundation base/primer
This is a must do! For smoother eye shadow application, that lasts longer, you want to first apply a base all over your eyes. If you have veins or sun marks, make sure to cover them. Use a concealer is needed or try Lemon Aid by Benefit, which gets rid of any imperfection. Make sure you moisturise before applying the base.
Step 4: Apply your eyeliner
Line both the top and bottom lash line (D - see picture below) of your eyes with your eyeliner pencil. Next, apply eyeliner to your water line (E). Be sure to fill in any bare spaces between the eyelashes. If you have very sensitive eyes, skip this part. If you have any hard lines from using a heavy eyeliner pencil you will want to lightly smudge the line so it is softer and less harsh looking.
Smokey eye makeup tip: Dark colors tend to make small eyes look even smaller. You can open your eyes up by applying eyeliner starting from the middle of the bottom eyelash line, rather than the inside corner, and going to the outer corner of the eye.
Step 5: Apply your eye shadows
Using your larger eye shadow brush apply your lighter eye shadow colour all over your eyes, from lash line (D) to brow bone (A). Now, using your darker colour, and your small eye shadow brush, apply your eye shadow onto the lash line (top and bottom) (D), directly over your eyeliner and then blend it upward to the crease (B). Keep as much of the colour intensity as possible along the lash lines (D) and particularly in the outer corners of your eyes.
Smokey eye makeup tip: Remember, smudging and blending so the eyeliner and eye shadows go together seamlessly is THE KEY to this look.
Step 6: Apply your mascara
Apply 2 or 3 coats of black mascara applying the mascara in thin coats to avoid clumping.
Step 7: Complete your makeup look
Complete your foundation being careful not to mess up your beautiful smoky eye makeup. Keeping your lips neutral gives smoky eyes their real impact. Use a flesh toned lip pencil and a pink or caramel shade of lipstick or lip gloss to give your lips a subtle finish.
Enjoy your sexy, smoldering smoky eye makeup look!
The dark blue eye shadow in particular, as it will be darker than your eye colour, will accentuate your blue eyes.
