Smoky Eyes - the basics, the tricks and the tips

The main thing a love about smoky eyes... well, apart from the fact that they are drop dead stunning ofcourse... is that you can show them off anywhere – whether that would be on the red carpet (though I highly doubt any A-list celebrities would even be reading this), to a party or just out shopping with friends. I also love how, just by altering the look slightly (using deeper tones or bringing the eyeshadow out further), you can come up with a wide variety of different looks. Celebrity fans of this look include Keira Knightley, Kim Kardashian, Jessica Alba, Nicole Scherzinger and Beyonce – but you do not have to be big on the TV to look sexy and smoky. (See what I did there?)


I know that basic insights on smoky eyes have been discussed on beauty blogs and youtube channels a great number of times. But this blog entry is basically going to be aimed at beginners and people who are maybe a little shy with applying a smoky eye.
Here is my video which provides a basic step by step guide on how to achieve the classic smokey eye.




TIPS FOR SMOKY EYES


Prime your eyes before you begin – this can be done using your everyday eyeprimer or concealer. There are a number of advantages here: 1. it allows for smooth application of your eyeshadow by controlling the oil content on your eyelids 2. it prevents creasing, which can result from simply blinking, and the smoky eye is the kind of look which you don’t want to crease 3. it really adds to the intensity of the eye shadows – which is really important particularly if you want to sport the deeper smoky eyes.

Makeup artist Kristen Piggott says that you should mix different textures and shouldn’t just rely on matte colours when doing a smoky eye as this can appear aging. So mix and match, I like to use Blacktied from MAC as a liner which has a sparkly undertone. I also like to use a matte base with a shimmery definer when possible.

Smoky eyes have to be well blended and even, so do each eye one step at a time – don’t do one eye completely then go on and do the other. This way it makes it easier to compare each eyeshadow application and make it even on each eye.

If you want to achieve a smoky eye in record time (I’m not sure if there is a competition for fastest time to do a smoky eye but you know what I mean)... you can still get the look just by using a black kohl pencil and your favourite mascara. Apply the kohl roughly to the upper and lower lash line, and blend it up and outwards using either a Q-tip, makeup brush or your finger, then apply to your water lines for intensity and apply two coats of mascara et voila!

If you want to go for a more subtle smoky eye use a base colour which most closely matches your natural skin tone (maybe slightly lighter), however if you really want to provide real enhancement – use a much lighter tone as this will help to highlight the inner corners of your eyes.

Captain Jack Sparrow Makeup

My latest tutorial. A Captain Jack Sparrow look. Hopefully suitable for both guys and girls - just use as much contouring as you need.

Vamp it up with Glam! - latest tutorial...

Now, I don't know about you..... mainly based on the fact that it is highly likely that I don't actually know you.... but I am quite the fan of vampy and also overly glam looks. So I thought I would tackle the challenge of combining the two in one look...

Hope you enjoy

Top 5 Skin Care Products

First things first I am not a dermatologist so please don't send me death threats if you end up looking like Viktor Yushchenko after trying these products. I know that skin care is completely dependant on skin type, but I just thought I would take you through some of my essentials.

Know your skin type

1. Oily - your face appears shiny and has large pores which makes you prone to blemishes and blackheads (particularly round the T zone)

2. Combination/Normal - Have slight dryness on cheeks and T zone is slightly oily (have relatively few blemishes).

3. Dry - Your skin often feels tight and well, basically dry. People with dry skin are more prone to developing wrinkles fairly early in life. Moisturising is key with dry skin

4. Sensitive - skin feels delicate and basically doesn't like products with endless lists of ingredients on the labels. Can often appear quite red and is prone to rashes.

My skin type is basically combination to oily (a mixture of 1 and 2). My T-zone is a little oily on an average day, though it can sometimes get very oily (particularly when my hormones go haywire) and my cheeks are relatively normal.

1. Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser

I have been using Liz Earle's products for about 6 months now. I can safely say that I am a fan. I use this godsend of a cleanser morning and night. You can get two uses out of this baby - not only just it gently cleanse your skin but using the muslin cloths provided in hot water you can wipe away those panda eyes. I know that heavily scented skincare can put some people off (like me) but the smell is this cleanser is just lovely as it is just simple, light and fresh. Recommended for all skin types.

2. Clinique Moisture Surge Face Spray

I'm an adventurous girl. I like to be active, I enjoy travelling when I get the opportunity and I like to occasionally get absolutely bladdered on nights out. Ofcourse enjoyment can often lead me to feeling worn out, jet lagged and hungover all the way to Hades. This product is my miracle cure for these after effects - light and refreshing I use it when I basically want to feel a little more refreshed. I use it after a work out at the gym and particularly after skiing (where my skin can get quite dry and hot). After a heavy night out I use this along with my caffeine fix - it really wakes me up. I also take this everytime I go flying (I transfer the product into the 10 ml em

pty spray bottles ofcourse) as drops in pressure and reduced air content can dry out your skin. Light and refreshing, without being too heavy.... a perfect wakeup call.

3. Liz Earle Superskin™ Concentrate

I have been sleeping with this stuff for quite a while now. The Superskin Concentrates come in either 28 ml bottles or a 10 ml roller-ball. It uses organic ingredients and 100% pure plant oils and the combined scent of lavendar with chamomile helps me to relax after a long hard day. I apply this in small amounts on my face (just at the temples and just below the jaw line) and massage gently into the skin. A natural source of Vitamin E means it keeps the skin healthy over night and it's natural ingredients means that it is particularly favourable towards ladies of a slightly maturer age.

4. Simple Oil Balancing Moisturiser

Because my skin tends towards the oily side quite often I am not really one of those people who constantly needs to moisturise. Therefore I do not deem it completely necessary to fork out on a really expensive moisturiser. This baby is under £5 and simply (no pun) just does the job, it keeps my skin moisturised with being too heavy, and it lives up to its name too as it feels so gentle

on the skin. Towards the winter when my skin gets slightly dry I will invest in a fairly balanced moisturiser - but in the meantime this does just fine.

5. Neal's Yard White Tea Facial Mist

Not only do I love the feel of this mist (I sometimes just spray this on my face when I feel like it) - but I also like to use it as a toner after cleansing and its combination of both a refreshing and soothing feeling means I can use it both morning and night. Neal's Yard Remedies also do another Facial Mist in Frankincense - but I opted for the more gentler sounding White Tea. Because it is a mist it keeps my skin rehydrated without being too heavy, and by using it as a toner I can wipe away any impurities which I may have missed during cleansing.

A couple of skin care tips

1. DRINK WATER - and lots of it (well about 6 glasses a day, not to the point where you resemble a water balloon). Water is essential (well, duh, learnt that in KS2 Science) but not only just it keep you rehydrated and your cells functioning, it also helps to flush out toxins which can lead to blemishes.

2. EAT WELL - (O...M....G... really!? No shit!) ... ok, ok, I'll break it down a little bit for ya. Foods which are high in zinc (like Brazil nuts) can help with skin repair and collagen maintenance, foods which are high in vitamin C (like Citrus fruits) are also high in antioxidants. Fish (in particular oily fish) contain omega-3 fatty acids which help to unclog pores. Vitamin E is a strong antioxidant which can decrease aging (so get munching on those sunflower seeds ladies). Oh and ofcourse indulge in a little treat now and again - and please don't fall for that old wives tale that chocolate gives you spots - it doesn't. Chocolate is our friend. FACT!

3. SPLASH COLD WATER ON YOUR FACE - this stimulates blood flow to your face. I do this every morning. It is just a simple and cheap way of getting a healthy boost and glow to the skin.

4. PINCH YOURSELF - every morning I lightly pinch the area of my temples, the top of the cheek bones and just below the jaw line, and hold it for about 10 seconds. This also stimulates bloodflow to the face.

5. EXERCISE - not only does this keep you in shape, but it also works wonders for your skin. Whenever I go on my skiing holidays (10 days skiing in a row) I swear my skin is so clear at the end of it. Ofcourse you do not have to opt for such an extreme regime - but pick light exercises that expose you to fresh air, like bike rides, jogs and walking. I go on the occasional bike ride and I jog nearly every day - and it does wonders for my skin.