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Smoky Eye Tutorial with Sigma Beauty

Beauty | 26 April 2012

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If there is one look you ought to know how to do, it’s a perfect smoky eye. This quintessential look crosses all boundaries between casual and dressy, and will work with absolutely ANY color of clothing. The smoky eye is easy to master, you just need a nice neutral eye shadow palette, and some good brushes. I mean, if you want an editorial-quality look, you’ve got to start with good brushes, right?
 
This tutorial features products by Sigma Beauty which, if you haven’t heard, carry an amazing line of professional and everyday cosmetic brushes. Our photo studio is currently using a wide variety of brushes by Sigma, which makes our job just that much easier.
Products Used in this Tutorial
 
a. Make Me Classy Professional Brush Kit with Two-Sided Brush Container
b. Performance Eyes Kit
c. Sigma Beauty Eye Shadow Palette in Bare; we used the four center shades in order to create a robust look with plenty of depth.
 
1. Start with a clean face and apply foundation primer and foundation of your choice with Sigma’s Foundation Brush F60.
 
2. We used Sigma’s Eye Shading Brush E55 with the light golden shade Command over the full lid.
 
3. Then we stepped up to the next darkest shade, Act, and swept a small amount across the bottom half of the lid with Precision Tapered Brush P86 in order to create depth.
 
4. We started the smoky effect using the Medium Angled Brush E70, concentrating the light charcoal grey shade Snoop on the outer half of lid, and following the natural crease of the eye.
 
The fourth and final shade Hitch (a deep brown shade) is applied to the very outside corner using the Shader Crease Brush E47.
 
*To transform from a day to evening look, add a little extra Hitch.*
 
5. Finally we added a black liner to define the lash line followed by a touch of mascara and a swipe of dusty rose blush. Our new favorite red lipstick; Milani Color Perfect Lipstick in Red Label adds the final pop!
 
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Smoky Eye Tutorial: Celebrity Makeup Artist Christina Farrell

Beauty | 15 February 2012

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Some of you may remember a few weeks ago when we posted a poll inquiring what you lovely ladies would most like to see in a makeup tutorial. The overwhelming result was a request for smokey eyes how-to, so that’s just what we brought you today!

I give to you Christina Farrell, author of the popular beauty blog The Makeup Blogger.

Here’s her bio: 

Christina Farrell has spent over 15 years as a freelance makeup artist in the television and movie industry. Her work has led to diverse projects such as being an on-air makeup expert for E!’s popular morning show, “The Morning Show” and guest spots on TLC’s “What Not To Wear.” She’s worked on music videos, NY’s Fashion Week, CNN, the Emmy and Oscar Award ceremonies. She created TheMakeupBlogger.com in 2008 to bring her expertise to the everyday woman looking for advice on beauty, fashion, hair and product information. She’s worked with companies like Jenny Craig and Gucci as well as celebrities like Carrie Fischer, Julie Christie, Valerie Bertinelli, Jason Alexander, Debi Mazar, and Emmitt Smith.

All that awesome celebritiness aside, Christina is such a sweetheart! When I approached her a while back about doing a tutorial for all you LuLu*s gals, she jumped at the chance! She is so friendly and open, and she was so excited to create this tutorial for you on an

 

 

 

 

Need some more help? Below are the tips she’s written out specifically for you lovely ladies! 

The typical smoky eye is usually associated with dark black and grey shadows.  Although this rock star look is iconic, it is often impossibly hard to replicate.  Trust me, I have tried and failed! The truth is that black and grey shadows are very hard to pull off (unless you’re Lady Gaga).  So, I created an easy method to create the illusion of a smokey eye by utilizing neutral eye shadows with a pop of color. The great thing about this smokey eye, is that you can play with many different variations of colors.  My favorite smokey combos are bronze and navy, plum and mahogany, or deep bronze and gold.

Step 1:  Start with a peach based eye primer. This will ensure that your eye shadow stays on all day, and that you get the most intense color payoff from your shadows.

Step 2:  In the shape of a small crescent, blend a matte brown shadow along the lower crease of the eye. This application works best using a pencil shadow brush.

Step 3:  Using a dark plum eyeliner (either liquid or kohl) line the upper lash line, especially concentrating near the lashes.  A great makeup artist trick to follow is to blend the liner into the lashes to create a full lash effect.

Step 4:  With a dark bronze shadow blend the contour and liner using back and forth motions.  This helps to soften the initial color, and blend the two parts together. The dark bronze also adds dimension to look, and starts to give that “smokey” illusion.

Step 5:  With a soft tan eye shadow and a medium sized blending brush, softly blend over the entire lid.  This will help to blend out any harsh lines, and create a soft graduation of colors.

Step 6:  Next, apply a dark mahogany eye shadow over the liner, and on the outer corners of the eye (in a horizontal “V”), and under the lower lash line.  Add black mascara to intensify the effect.

Step 7:  For a final touch, apply a purple shimmer powder to the inner corners of the eyes, and all under the lower lash line.  This brightens up the eye, and prevents the darker shadows from becoming too overbearing.

Want to see more of Christina’s work? Check out her portfolio, or head on over to her blog and website for more tips and inspiration!

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