Smokey Eye Makeup Done Easy

Smokey eye makeup is not hard to do. Smokey eyes are my favorite of all the eye makeup styles. I wear this style all day, everyday. I get so many complements on my eye makeup. Women always ask me how I achieved my look. Well here's how!

NOTE: Foundation should be applied before eye makeup.

What you will need.

1. black eyeliner pencil - My favorite is Rimmel's Soft Kohl Kajal Eye Pencil because it's very soft so there's no need to heat it and the color is strong.

If you're an experienced eyeliner wearer and you're ready for something bolder and sexier, try L'Oreal HIP Color Rich Cream Eyeliner in Black. I was a die hard pencil user because I thought cremes would be messy and smudge. I was wrong. Now I'm hooked. This is a must for the best evening smokey eye makeup.

2. black powder eyeshadow - This is the key! Some to try: CoverGirl Queen Collection in Black Tie and NYX Shadow For Eyes in Black (hypoallergenic)

3. dark brown powder eyeshadow

4. light brown powder eyeshadow

Those eyeshadow duos work great for #3 and #4.
Brands to try:

1. AVON's Satin Deluxe Eyeshadow Duo. I love this because you can use it wet or dry.

2. L'Oreal HIP High Intensity Pigments Concentrated Shadow Duo in Dynamic 828

Steps for Smokey Eye Makeup

1. Line the top and bottom of eye with black eyeliner. Stay as close to the lashline as possible. It doesn't matter where you start. You can start in the middle of the lid or the corner. Make the line thick and solid. You don't want any skin showing through the line.

2. Go over the eyeliner with black eye shadow. Don't worry about being neat. This is what gives you that soft smudgy look. Apply the shadow around the corners of the eye. Go above the liner on the top lid and below the liner on the bottom lid. You can even go as high as the crease on the top. Putting on some face powder (loose or pressed) will help catch any eye shadow fall out that lands on your upper cheek bone. You can just brush it away and you won't end up with black marks on your cheeks.

3. Apply the dark brown shadow across the eye crease. Again, don't worry about being neat. Overlap the black shadow a little. Go as high as the brow bone. Leave some space under the eye brow for the light brown shadow.

4. Apply the light brown shadow just under the eye brow. From the inner brow to the outer brow. Again overlap the dark brown shadow a little.

5. BLEND. BLEND. BLEND. Use your finger tips or a small blush brush. Be careful not rub too hard. You'll take off too much color.

6. Apply mascara

NOTE: For a more exotic look, try applying black eyeliner pencil on the inside of the eye. This technique is also great for minimizing larger eyes.

Experiment with different shadow colors for steps 3 and 4. As long as you use black for step 1, it will look great. Other color examples are dark green and light green or deep blue and light brown. Don't be afraid to play and experiment!