Smokey Eyes for Dummies

One of the most beautiful things about life is that each day brings a new opportunity to learn. Afterall, we are lifelong students regardless of how specialized or well versed we may be. My sis, as you have read in previous posts, is a jack of all trades. She effortlessly prepares the perfect flaky pie crust, as she designs vintage jewelery, while she scours for the next Kid Cudi. So it should be no surprise that during my holiday visit home, this talented sis schooled me on how to create the sexy smokey eye in under 3 minutes. This technique is so flawless and foolproof that I must share with you courtesy of Ms. N (a big thank you my sis for your passion, love and everpresent support).

Ms. N's Smokey Eyes for Dummies
1. On a clean, makeup-free eyelid apply a primer to even out skin tone while creating the perfect base for added holding power. I like Paula Dorf Eye Primer.
2. Gently pull eyelid taut using your ring finger with your non-dominant hand. This helps the pencil run smoother over the eyelid in the next step.
3. Starting from the outer corner line the upper lashes with the Nars eye liner pencil in Kyoto for a metallic slate or Kaliste for a popping blue. This line should be thick and doesn't need to be neat as we will be smudging (see picture 1 above)
4. Using a smudge brush, eyeliner sponge (found on the opposite end of some eye or lip pencils) or even your fingers gently smudge the line in a back and forth motion working the color up till the crease (see picture 2). If you want to further darken the lid add more color. Apply the pencil where ever you want greater intensity and smudge (see picture 3).
5. Using the same pencil line only one third of the lower lid starting again from the outer corner (see picture 4).
6. Smudge the line such that the top and lower lines meet at the outer eye corner.
7. "Lock" the color with a translucent powder by gently brushing it on the upper lid.
8. Using a light sparkly champagne eye shadow powder, highlight under the brow bone and inner eye corners for added illumination.
9. Curl lashes (you know my favorite Shu Uemura eye lash curler) and coat lashes with a black mascara.

Et voila timeless, holiday and party appropriate smokey eyes from zero to sixty in under 3 minutes!

On a final note, I want to wish all my readers and their families a very Happy Holiday and a bright, fruitful and healthy New Year. 2009 marked the launch of my beaute blog and without each of your support and readership this really would not be possible. Your comments (yes they get back to me through the grapevine but please also feel free to post them on the site) are my fuel and I'm humbled by your patronage. Here's to a beaute filled 2010!

Usage tip: As Ms. N says "big on the eyes, light on the lips" so finish this look with a pinkish nude lipgloss. The key to this look is to not be afraid of a misstep. The thicker the line the more color your smokey look will have. Just be sure to smudge. Don't worry you can't screw this up!

The result: Flawless smokey eyes as you juggle updating your Facebook status while doing the laundry and heating up the restaurant catered dinner you will later be taking full credit for as your boy comes over for a "home cooked meal!"