Can't do a smokey eye :/

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Mar 28, 2013

Lanette L.

Hi ladies, I only got into makeup properly last year when I went to mac and got kitted out with all the essentials, I'm slowly learning by watching tutorials and looking at pictures on here, but can't seem to achieve a smokey eye like I want to. I bought the Urban Decay Naked pallette but the colours just don't look vibrant on me :/ can anyone give me any advice please? Thanks beauties :-)

Mar 28, 2013

Glenda G.

Hmmmm well I suggest these channels on youtube
nguerriero19
iwanted2c1video
lauriianna22
I was the same love it took me awhile as well but with practice you'll get the hang of it:))

Mar 28, 2013

Lanette L.

Thanks so much hun I will have a look :) going to keep practicing!!

Mar 28, 2013

Nicole S.

Just a little advice when you're trying to do it, make sure you're aware of your eye shape.. I tried forever and realized I have slightly hooded eyelids and then watched tutorials that were more for me. Also.. Eye shadow primers will really help it not just to last longer but it gives it a flawless look :)

Mar 28, 2013

Valerie P.

Just keep trying... eventually ull b a pro.

Mar 28, 2013

Kim S.

@Lanette L. Here's my simplest pictorial for a smokey eye.

1. Apply black shadow in the shape as shown with a little shimmery dark grey just on the lid over the top.
2. Blend the edge of the black with gradually lighter shades of grey until you're happy the blending is smooth.
3. Highlight the brow bone with a shimmery light grey/silver shadow.
4. Blend the lower lash line in the same way as the top.
5. Apply the silver highlight colour on the inner corners.
6. Line your eyes and add mascara.

When you're trying to do a smokey eye don't be afraid to go quite a way out from the lower lash line. It always looks funny while you're doing it but once you have liner and mascara on you'll see it works :). You could swap the greys for light shades of other colours to vary this look.

Mar 28, 2013

Kim S.

Also I have a dupe of the UD naked palette by MUA which I used to do a smokey eye today. I will post the pictorial for this below as well, it's one of my favourites that I've done for a long time :)

Mar 28, 2013

Kim S.

1. Line your upper and lower waterline.
2. Apply a dark grey shadow to the inner and outer corners.
3. Apply a shimmery white shadow to the centre of the lid and lower lash line.
4. Darken the corners a bit more with some black shadow and take it across the crease.
5. Blend the black in the crease with a reddish brown.
6. Apply a highlight colour to the brow bone.
7. Line your upper lash line and wing it out at the side.
8. Apply mascara.

The grey, black and highlight colour on the brow bone are both from the dupe of naked. The brown is from MUA's artiste collection palette but one of the browns in the naked palette would work too so the only thing you would really need is a shimmery white shadow for the centre of the lid. Mine is Dior swan and its amaaazing but any would do, you could even use the same colour as on the brow bone really, so you could do the whole thing similar using the naked palette.

Hope these help you! Keep practising I'm sure you'll do a great job x

Mar 28, 2013

Kim S.

Also if you're struggling to get the colours to show up make sure you have a good base (make sure your foundation goes over your eyelids as well as the rest of your face), maybe use a primer but I don't think it's necessary, I have never used one. Applying a little concealer to your lids can work quite well. It may be what you're using to apply it, try using the brush/applicator slightly damp or just use your fingers to apply it :)

Mar 28, 2013

Toribeth T.

You also really need to blend well. Blending is really important to this look so you will need to use a blending brush. If you havent got one you really need one. I use mine everyday (:

Mar 28, 2013

Lanette L.

Ah thanks so much everyone for your advice really appreciate it :-) will try everything you all have advised me :)))

Mar 28, 2013

Lanette L.

@Nicole S that's something I hadn't thought about before actually, hmmm not sure on my eye shape :/