Step by Step - Smoky Eyes

This Autumns Gothic Glamour calls for some dramatic eye make up to set it off. I love smokey eyes, whether low key black eyeliner for day, or all out black eyeshadow for night it always makes me feel dark and glamorous. So here's how to do it, step by step.

* Start with a clean and simple smooth foundation base all over your face. I always leave blusher, highlighter and lips till after I have finished my eyes. To make sure the balance is right.



Lightly define your eyebrows with a pencil or powder on small brush, not too heavy or you'll look all Cruella De Ville rather than mysterious sex kitten. I like to brush a bit of clear mascara through them too.

Next take a pale, bone coloured eyeshadow and brush across your entire eyelid from lash line to brow to create a smooth base.


You can use whatever combination of colours you like to create the look. In this instance I am using a pale and dark grey, though I often use the purple shade as well. Using a full on black eyeshadow for your deeper colour will give a more dramatic look.




First use your lighter colour, in my case the light grey, and sweep it across your eyelid and into the socket line using a wide flat brush.


Next take your darker colour, and a smaller round brush. Take a small amount of colour on the brush, then tap or blow to get rid of any excess. If you don't it will end up all over your face!

Blend the deeper colour into your socket line, and along the top lashes, then finally, when the colour is nearly all gone, sweep it under your lower lashes. To get a good definition in my socket line I find it helpful to open my eyes slightly to get the brush right into the crease. Then blend, blend, blend. You don't want a harsh line, and it's easier to add than takeaway, so use small amounts of shadow and blend it with the brush over and over till it gives the smoky effect you want.


Next take a very sharp black eyeliner and draw a line close to your upper eyelashes. I use light feathery strokes, almost playing connect the dots to get a smooth line right into the inner corner of the eye. Then take a smudger, or a cotton bud, or your finger, whatever you have, and lightly smudge the line for a smokey finish.



Take the same eyeliner and line your lower lashes in the same way, smudging as before.

Then line your inner lids, top and bottom, I have a couple of ways of doing this. I line the lower lid and then shut my eyes hard, which helps transfer colour to the upper lid. Or I put the pencil GENTLY on my lower lid, the shut my eyes and GENTLY run the pencil between my lids. Be careful not to poke your eye out. Bloodshot is not a good look.



For a longer lasting finish to your eyeliner take some black eyeshadow and a small flat eyeshadow brush. Load the brush with powder and gently pat over the liner on your inner lids.

This tip was given to me by a MAC consultant and it really works whether you're using fancy MAC make up or Collection 2000!




To finish the look you'll need mascara, and lots of it! Curl your lashes and apply 2 coats of mascara at least, don't bother to comb between coats, personally I like the clumpy look! I use a two layer mascara, with a white lash building layer and a black mascara layer.


Et Voila!!