Smokey eyes are like the infamous LBD or jeans – They never go out of fashion, and you’re sure to make a statement. The smoulder effect changes from season to season and trend to trend, going from dark to soft and pretty. Diamonds and sparkle are all the rage this season. Which ever trend you’re going for – smoke them out if you want to create smouldering, sexy eyes.
1) Dior showcases their 2008 Christmas makeup collection. Inspired by black and white diamonds, sparkle and gemstones. The collection is all about a pleasure of sophistication, combined with the luxury of elegance. And as Christian Dior Says “Black is the most popular, convenient and elegant of all colours, and white is more beautiful than any colour for evening.” I couldn’t have said it better myself!
2) Limited Edition shadow compact by M.A.C – Passions of Red in “Fascinating Ruby” contains six shades – Scant, Satin Taupe, Dark Devotion, Gorgeous, Ambiance and Carbon. It’s packaged in a gorgeous red jeweled compact, and comes with a black-handle 213 SE Eye Brush, for perfect application.
3) Get fabulous lashes without the smudge using Double Wear Zero Smudge Mascara, (R200) from Estee Lauder.
4) For a softer look using different shades of brown and navy, Clinique‘s colour surge quad will do the trick.
5) M.A.C Mineralise eye Shadow Trio in “Word of mouth” contains three shades in frosty beige, frosty blue-grey and a soft pearl stripe for a shimmering finish.
6) Define and draw those lines baby with Revlon‘s Beyond Natural Defining Eye Pencil. It comes in a variety of shades, featured is Black Noir. – Ed’s Lust Have.
7) Get dramatically dark eyes with M.A.C Chill Eyeshaddow 5
8) Apply liquid liner to finish off the ultimate smokey eye effect. Elizabeth Arden eye gels are perfect and let you define a solid, smudge free line. Featured is the Intrigue Gel liner in “Black Pearl”. It has a touch of sparkle and comes with it’s own mini applicator brush – Ed’s Lust Have.
9) Fibre Rich Lash in “All Black Black” from M.A.C‘s Red She Said Collection. Thickens and extends your lashes.
10) Prepare your eyes with Estee Lauder‘s Double Wear Stay in Place Concealer – R195.
11) Get the right tools to get the right effect – ModelCo‘s Large eyeshadow brush in 03 is perfect for sweeping the entire lid and for applying your base colour evenly.
12) Hard Angled brush from Benefit Cosmetics is ideal for precision application of eyeliner or to define brows. – Ed’s Lust Have.
13) If you haven’t got lush lashes, fake em’ with these false eyelashes available from Eyelash Central.
14) Limited edition shadow compact – Twilight by Dior Christmas Look 2008. For the ultimate touch of class, flash this fabulous compact, which comes in a Dior labeled black box, with structured lines that will leave hands shivering with pleasure. You can even slide the compact from the case and transform it into a portable mirror – so very couture!
15) The Talent Brush from Benefit Cosmetics is perfect fro applying powder or cream shadow and the tip doubles as a precision eyeliner applicator brush.
16) Revlon Beyond Natural Cream to Powder Eye Shadow – Part of the “Buff” collection which features four fabulous shades in a compact, to create smouldering, smoked out eyes – Ed’s Lust Have.
17) Yardley retractable eye pencil in BLACK – Ed’s Lust Have.
18) Wicked Eyeshadow by Shade Cosmetics can be used dry as an eyeshadow or wet as a creamy liner.
Expert Tip
From Aliki Price, National Makeup Artist – Estee Lauder
This is a look that works best in the evening when the light is a little softer – follow these tips and prepare to smoulder…
- First prepare the eyelid with a dab of concealer (Double Wear Stay in Place Concealer R195) setting it with a touch of translucent powder.
- Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay In Place Eye Shadow base (has fabulous long wear benefits and will extend the wear of powder shadow for up to 15 hours (plenty of time for you to party into the wee small hours!!!).
- Depending on how dramatic you want the look, choose a dark shade in either a deep metallic grey or charcoal (Estee Lauder Pure Colour Eye Shadow in Onyx {R195} works well). By gently pressing the eye shadow in along the lash line, you’ll help to make the colour last longer. Blending your eyeshadow is key to achieving a professional look. To help do away with any harsh edges of colour, take a pale white shade like Estee Lauder Pure Colour Eye Shadow in Sugar Cube (R195) and blend softly.
- Next, take a kohl pencil that is soft so it won’t drag the skin when you use it, and apply it in small light strokes along the lashline. Then gently smudge the liner into the eye shadow.
- Finally, curl your lashes and finish with a slick of Double Wear Zero Smudge Mascara (R200) for fabulous lashes and colour that won’t budge, run or flake.
* TIP: Just make sure you remember to leave your eye makeup remover waiting on your bedside table so that when you are finally ready to flop into bed, you’ll wake up looking fresh faced the following morning!!! (Take It Away Longwear Makeup Remover Towelettes R245)