Cool Teen Fashions

Jennifer Lopez is definitely my smokey eyes hero. She wears it so well. Dark smokey eyes make her eyes so rich and defined. And her overall appearance is always healthy and natural-looking. How does she do it? Apart for being very attractive and having great skin, she totally understands the importance of making up her face correctly. There are several do’s that make black smokey eyes look great: getting the shape right, blending, controlling how intense it is. And you can master these tricks in my ebook about smoky eyes . But face: this is where it all comes together.

I will show you six key steps that will help create a perfect and sculpted canvass for your dark eye makeup. In short they are: conceal under your eyes, apply foundation, bronze, blush, highlight and blot.

Step 1: make sure to use an under-eye concealer. It gives that awake look and creates beautiful contrast with the dark eye. Kim Kardashian is a big fan of under-eye concealer: especially when she is wearing smokey eyes. There are three things to keep in mind here. Use it very sparingly: this delicate area should not be caked with product. Make sure to blend: you don’t want to give yourself white under-eye circles. Choose a shade lighter than your foundation.

There are exceptions to this rule, but usually bare face and strong eye makeup don’t go well together. A strong eye demands foundation. And by that I don’t mean a thick layer of foundation. As with most cosmetics, foundation also goes by the rule that less is more. But do use something even if it is just a colored moisturizer. And a few tips on applying foundation. The color should be as close to your skin color as possible. Apply it mainly to the areas that need it: usually the chin and the center of the face. Finish it off with powder (loose or pressed) to take away the shine.

The modern way to use bronzer is to sculpt your face for definition and a healthy glow. That’s why it should not be too dark nor too shimmery. A sheer and rather matte formula would be perfect. When applying, think of two 3s facing each other and encompassing your face. Do your hairline, continue under the cheekbone, then below the chin. As with all cosmetics: harsh edges need to be avoided. Bronzer should be felt not seen.

For a pretty and flattering result make sure to add a hint of color to liven up the dark eyes. Most makeup artists swear by the powers of a blush. Avoid blush that is too dark or too bright, especially with smokey eyes. The classic way to apply it is to smile: the cheeks lift and it’s easier to dust it on the side of the apple of your cheek.

After creating the base, defining and adding color, it is time to highlight. Highlighter (sometimes called illuminizer) is a relatively new type of a cosmetic that is all the rage now. It can come in cream, gel or powder. As the name suggests its task is to highlight certain areas. Although there are many great ways to use it I will focus here on enhancing smokey eyes. Highlight the very top of the cheekbone just above where you put blush, towards the temple. Some makeup artists advise to take it further onto the temple itself: I do and it looks great. Also highlight your brow bone. Another great trick is to dab some highlighter in the inner corner of your eye. It refreshes and enlarges the eye.

Shiny face and smokey eyes: these do not make a good pair. Smokey eyes, especially dark, definitely require that the face stays matte. But using your powder compact too often to keep the shine at bay might result with a powder overload. That’s why blotting papers are such an amazing find! And it’s not just me: gossip says that Heidi Klum never faces the camera without blotting her face first. That’s quite a recomendation, isn’t it?

By cleverly combining coverage, definition, color and light you can look amazing in your black smokey eyes. Put these easy strategies into action and attract attention immediately!

If you need that perfect smokey eye get Ewa Linsey’s illustrated ebook on smokey eye makeup : it’s complete with smokey eyes know-how that works time and time again. Also grab more tips about black smokey eyes : the key look when you want to be noticed!