[my fav model of the moment: Wakeema Holls: Source NY Fashion Mag]
If there is one thing that I struggle with when it comes to makeup, it is the smokey-eye! It get more of a raccoon eye, instead of the sultry smokey-eye, so I am hoping some experts can chime in here.What are your favorite products for creating the dark [almost black] smokey eye? Do you ladies use a brush? Eyeliner? Primer before the shadow?? Help me out here! [please]
I use MAC paint pot all over my eyelid...then i use MAC carbon. Line lid with black eye liner and smudge with a smudge brush
ReplyDeleteThe one thing that helped me was covering the bottom of my lid with black eyeliner prior to the eyeshadow...I hesistated trying it b/c I know there is a more professional way, but it gives me a great result.
ReplyDeleteThe key to a great smokey eye is blending and smudging. Kohl eye liner pencils, my favorite are Rimmel Soft Kohl Kajal Eyeliner pencils (you can get them at Target or Wal-Mart for around $3), are great b/c you smudge them for the smokey effect. You can smudge with an actual smudger brush or a small eye shadow brush. If it looks too racoon like, just take a q-tip and wipe away any excess till you get your desired look.
ReplyDeletePriming the eye first will help the color to stick/stay on longer and fresher looking. I like Too Faced Shadow Insurance.
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My smokey eye got better when I found the right brushes and when I started to blend, blend and blend. I prime the eye with a slightly shimmery and very dark dark cream shadow. It gives a sort of 3D effect and adds light and movement, and you can blend different colors (such as dark shimmer emerald green under a matt black powder).
Laura from London
My favorite makeup artist goes by the name of Queen of Blending and her smokey eye tutorials are amazing. You should take a look at her stuff on www.queenofblending.com.
ReplyDeleteI suggest a primer and a base. Try Urban Decay primer all over the lid,then NYX jumbo eye pencil in black bean as the base to the lower part of the lid only. This lessens the work and helps the shadow to have staying power. Apply the shadow and blend, blend, blend! To avoid raccoon eyes do not extend too far outside your eyes on the bottom. Also with this look, I would apply concealer and foundation AFTER I did my eyes to minimize fallout. Good luck!!!
ReplyDeleteOh! And how could I forget? Line your water line, both upper and lower to make your eyes POP!!
ReplyDeleteIf you are like me, then you end up with a raccoon I even when you are not trying. I have to be very careful what liners and mascaras creating my accidental smokey eye a few hours after I finish my makeup. I found there were things I needed to do. 1) Put on foundation and concealer AFTER I finish my eye. This makes cleanup easier if something goes wrong. 2)PRIMER - it helps stuff stay in place. Eyeshadow primers are a must for me. I use Urban Decay but have heard good things about Too Face. Both run approximate $16-18 but LA Splash as one under $10 that came highly recommended. Mac makes some great bases called paint pots that help as well. I'm not sure of the price because the MUA gave me a nice size sample when I visted the pro store. I even use the primer/paint pot along my bottom lash line to make sure products stay put. 3) Use powder base products as much as possible. If you use a cream, gel, or pencil product go back over it with a eyeshadow to set it. 4) YOUTUBE! I watched countless tutorials on applying eyeshadow. Someone has mentioned QueenofBlending but here are looks from some of my other favorite gurus.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8UDbxW6fO2g
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jY-Yx_NWVdM
http://www.youtube.com/user/Eily311#p/u/2/o6hV8wpECIA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mgfu59q65bI
You can always start your smokey eye journey with colors besides black. I've tried blue, green, gray, and purple. The guru from the second link actually has a whole smokey eye series. Hope this helps.
Thank you everyone for your input!! I played around with it this weekend, and checked out some of the youtube tuts mentioned in these comments! - I have definitely gotten much better results...
ReplyDelete