Those Eyes Are... Smokin'

   So now that you are an expert on doing your own "cat-eye" (practice makes purrrrfect)... let's add some drama to the mix.  We've all wondered how we can get those beautiful smokey eyes seen on virtually every Hollywood starlet that's ever walked the red carpet.  Well good news my fashion-savvy friend... I've got the simple step-by-step guide on how you can give yourself the perfect pair of smokey eyes, that will set your gaze a'blazzin!

* First you'll need a dark-shadow pallet with at least 3 colors (I like using grays and blacks for evening, and purple/green tones for the day), a black pencil or liquid eyeliner, and mascara of your choice.
* Also, keep some Q-tips handy for blending purposes.

~ Begin with a clean, moisturized canvas.  If you want, you can use an eye primer to help keep your makeup from smudging (but since this is a blended and smudgey look, it's not mandatory).
~ Step 1) Use the lightest shade on your makeup pallet as your base shadow.  Use a shadow brush to cover your entire lid. 
~ Step 2) Next, take a medium shade and sweep it HALFWAY over your lid, blending it into your base shade. (see below)

~ Step 3) Take your darkest shade and apply that shadow to the CREASE of your eyelid. To keep the line from looking sharp, use a Q-tip to blend the crease shade into your medium shade.  For a more dramatic affect, blend the crease shade upward and out... like I've done here.

~ Step 4) Use the same shadow you used for your base-- or if you have a lighter shimmery shadow that you prefer-- dust it in the inner corner of your eye.  Also add the light shade to your brow bone and blend it into your darker crease color-- this will make your smokey shadow look more dreamy and soft, while at the same time make your eyes "pop". (see below)

~ Step 5) Now, draw a thin line of black eyeliner across your top lid.  If you use pencil, take the end of a Q-tip and blend the line into the shadow.  I love using pencil liner for this look because it's so easy to blend which means you don't have to worry about applying it to perfection.  However, if you choose to use liquid liner-- the "cat-eye" technique works perfectly with smokey eyes.  Just remember to keep the line thin (a tip from my mama who always says "it's about looking classy instead of "flashy").

~ Step 6) Add liner to your bottom lid, keeping the line close to your lashes. (one of my favorite eye makeup technique is to "tap" the liner across the lashes-- that way it doesn't look like you took a marker and drew a straight "line" under your lid).  Use a Q-tip to smudge the liner into your lash line. 

~ Step 7) Now, take the medium shadow and use a brush (buy a smudge brush for this-- you'll love it) and smudge the shadow across your bottom lid.  But to keep from looking like a raccoon, avoid adding too much shadow. 
~ Step 8) Add two coats of mascara and presto!...........

.............................You're eyes are smokinnnn'.

   That's it-- 8 quick and easy steps, and you've got eyes that would light up the red carpet... no Angelina Jolie lips required.