This morning as I was sitting down at my vanity getting ready to apply my makeup, trying to decide what kind of “look ” I was going for today, I realized that the smokey eye has been trending for a few years now. Has it really lasted that long…this time? I’ve sat down at a doctors office (fairly recently ) with vintage magazines on the coffee table with Cindy Crawford on the cover and she, too, was rocking the smokey eye. I suppose, just like fashion and many other faucets of life, “what goes around comes around” truly does apply.
When the smokey eye first came back into circulation again it was very…well…smokey. By that I mean that the colors were in the grays, charcoals, black and silvers. Deep, mysterious, even a little dangerous you might say. I’ve come to translate a “smokey eye” to mean how it’s applied rather than the colors used to achieve the look . Just as there’s more than one way to cook a turkey there are many ways to achieve this sultry, bedroom look.
Let me start by saying when it comes to makeup I have a philosophy that is “non-compete”. That means that if my goal is to showcase a stunning ruby lip then the eyes will be subtle . If we’re doing a deep smokey eye the lips will be neutralized. Combining both a smokey eye and a bold lip color is a little too Joan Collins via Dynasty era…it’s a bit dated .
1) Prep and prime face and apply foundation or base. I’ve been using the Jane Iredale Mineral Cosmetics BB Cream for 6 months (which is a record for me). It’s foundation and concealer all in one ! Make sure to even out the skin on the eyelid as well. If you have oily eyelids you may want to use an eye primer to help your shadow last all day.
2) If your skin is really fair you may chose to apply an eye-gloss or tinted primer . It is easier to achieve depth of color and intensity without having to pack on the shadow. Today I used Champagne Silk Eye Gloss by JIMC on the eyelid(not extending past the socket bone). I then applied the deepest color from the JIMC eyeshadow trio Cloud Nine (purples) to the eyelid using a JIMC brush “eye shader”. Because it’s a mineral, you’ll want to pat the color as opposed to blending it in. After you’ve achieved a uniform application go back to the perimeters of where you applied the color and blend out the hard edges using a clean brush. I then went back and applied the mid tone color from the trio and applied it softly to the crease and socket bone with a patting motion. Once again blend those edges with a clean brush. I took just a smidge of JIMC 24Karat Shimmer Powder and with a detail brush I patted it to just the inner area of my eyelid and worked it out.
3) I lined the eye with a basic black eye pencil by JIMC and with a angle liner brush I softened that line. Sweep from the inner eye and when you get to the outer corner of your eye sweep up gently. You always want that line to be swept up (makes us look awake and gives our eyes a non-surgical lift !)
4) Using a JIMC smudge brush I took the deepest color from the eyeshadow trio and patted it along my lower lash line then swept it back and forth to get the desired look. With the basic black eye pencil I then “tight lined” my eyes. (lining the inner rim of the eyes. I do both top and bottom)
5) Curl eyelashes and apply several coats of mascara. My new favorite is JIMC Longest Lash mascara in “Black Ice” (it does NOT smudge )
6) Your eyes are not complete until you’ve finshed your brows. If you’re lucky enough to have a full, dense brow then all you have to do is brush them up. If your like me, you need to fill them in a bit. I use JIMC Bitty Brow in Brunette. You wouldn’t tack a Picasso to the wall, so frame your eyes by finishing your brows !
7) Clean up any shadow fallout under your eyes. I then applied a little Barely Rose by JIMC to the apples of my cheeks. Not sure where your apples are…smile…those round “apples” popping out is where the color goes. Little by little you’ll get the desired amount.
8) LIPS !!! This is a “non-compete” so I lined my lips with the JIMC spice liner (which is becoming my new favorite) and topped it with tourmaline PureGloss.
9) If I was going out I might chose to take it up a notch by applying some individual lashes to the outer corners of my eyes .
Voila ! One way to achieve the smokey eye
Enjoy,
Nikki
Glo SkinCare Boutique
275 River Rd., Salinas, Ca. 93908
831.595.6585