I would normally go all out with eye shadows, pigments and liner for a smokey eye on myself but for the purpose of this blog post I've stripped it back to basics. Once you've mastered this you may feel more confident with shadows and blending techniques.
What will you need:
Eye primer
Black kohl pencil
A coloured eyeshadow of choice
A taupe shade eyeshadow for contouring the eye
A highlighting eyeshadow for use under the brow and inner corner of eye.
Mascara
So back to basics:
The first step as follows is to prime to eyelid ensuring your eyeshadow pops when it's applied and also providing a base to ensure your shadow lasts longer.
Apply the black kohl liner around the lash line and underneath. I would recommend a thinner line if you aren't too confident with applying it. You are going to be blending it out so more can be added at a later stage. DON'T be afraid to apply the liner to the bottom lash line for this look it's a necessity. (I used Smoulder by Mac)
Blend out the liner concentrating on the outer edge. Remember you are in control of how intense this look is and you can add as little or as much liner as you wish.
Now let's contour! This is something I've only started doing over the last few years but now I wouldn't apply any eye make up without it. Using a taupe/brown matt eyeshadow follow the brow bone above the lid and blend towards the brow but not too close as you will be placing your highlighting shadow there. This technique provides depth to your eye. (I used Tease by Urban Decay) **You can also use a matt bronzer if you don't have an eyeshadow this shade
Eyeshadow: this look works with any eyeshadow imaginable. I have used three different options to give you an idea of possibilities. 1) khaki green (I used Me Jane by Sephora) 2) dark matt brown (I used Embark by Mac) this look is perfect for day time and gives a great natural finish 3) dark grey (I used Shade 14-Pearl by MUA) apply the shadow just above the liner line and blend. Repeat on lower lash line. This will make your liner a little dull so repeat the liner line once the shadow is applied to intensify the look.
Use a highlighting shade next under the brow and in the inner corner of the eye (I used Bootycall by Urban Decay)
If you feel you want the look to be more intense add a black shadow to the outer corner of the eye.
Then depending on your preference you can either leave the look as is or apply the kohl liner to your waterline.
Apply mascara and you're done! (I used Max Factor 2000 calorie in Black)
For the perfect Autumn Winter 2012 look use a plum shade shadow for a very trend lead smokey eye.
Alternatively if you don't fancy adding the additional coloured shadow you can simply use the kohl combined with the contour and highlighted shades. Blend kohl as previously mentioned and why not team with an intense lipstick shade for a dramatic look.
I have posted some pictures below so you can see the different stages, some of the products I used and also the finished looks.
Have fun recreating!
Rhian Xx
