How to Blend Two Eye Shadows to Create the Perfect Smoky Eyes
Copyright © 2006 Kim M Snyder

When it comes to creating smoky eyes, there is more than one
technique; from the color you use to how dark or light one uses
it.  Yet when you get down to it, it's really the way you blend
your eye shadow colors that creates the perfect set of smoky
eyes.

There are two major problems when blending, how it's done and
what you use when you are blending. We are going to tackle both
problems and by following these techniques, your eyes will become
the sultry set we know you can create.


You need:

* Highlight color

* 2 different colors of eye shadow; one dark and one light

* Blending Makeup Brush

* Angle Makeup Brush

* Eyeliner

* Eye Shadow Primer/foundation

* Powder eye shadow (I prefer mineral eye shadow but any will
work for this just as well)

* Eyelash Enhancer (try Magic Lash Eyelash Enhancer)

* Black Mascara (try Black Magic Mascara)


If you use an eye shadow primer, apply it or your foundation
(whatever you use to keep your eye shadow from disappearing).

Wait a few minutes, and then cover your eyelid to the crease with
your white eye shadow. For truly smoky eyes, use a pale grey
instead of white.

Place your dark eye shadow, starting at the halfway point, out to
the outer corner of your eyes. You can stop there or you can keep
going out about one fourth of an inch to create that amazing V.
Find out how that is done by reading further into this article.

You should apply your dark eye shadow up to the crease of your
eye as well. When you look at your eye it should look like you
have a half-circle from the inner to the middle of your eyelid
with the white eye shadow, followed by the other half of the
circle being the dark eye shadow. When you look straight ahead,
the dark should start where the dark part of your eyes are (your
pupils).

Using small brush strokes with your blending makeup brush, start
blending, going from the inner lid out. It must be all in one
direction or it's going to become 'muddy'.

You then start blending at the line out over your lid to meet up
with the outer corner of your eyes.

It's up to you just how much you want to blend. You can blend
until there is no line between the dark or white or you can leave
some; the look you want is totally up to you.

Whatever you do, don't go back and forth like windshield wipers
because this will create black eyes, not smoky eyes!

When it comes to blending, one should use a makeup brush created
just for that purpose because of the way the brush is made. It
will blend the eye shadow along the top lashes better since it
can get closer to the base of the lashes. Use your angled brush
to apply eye shadow as eyeliner, or if you prefer you can use an
eyeliner pencil. Sometimes an eyeliner pencil can be harder on
your lid by pulling it, whereas eye shadow smoothes in place.

Start with a little of the dark color and blend the line, adding
color until you have it as dark as you need. This technique can
be created with any two colors. Teal and purples are showing up
as the 'in' colors to use, as well as shades of blue. Smoky
eyes are whatever color you want it to be; there is no fast rule
saying it must be black. Too many women have tried to create
smoky eyes only to end up either looking like they slept in their
makeup or they have black eyes.

Now that you have your eye shadow just like you want it, it's
time to apply your mascara. If you are using a regular type of
mascara, pre-curl your lashes, but if you are using Black Magic
Mascara you won't need to pre-curl.  Apply a thin layer of
mascara then apply Magic Lash just on your outer lashes (Magic
Lash is offered by http://Overallbeauty.com and instructions on
how to use it properly is included).  Let it dry for a moment,
and then apply another layer of mascara. The Magic Lash will give
you Hollywood style lashes, making you look as if you are wearing
fake lashes but without the fuss and mess.

Once you are done, take a good look at your eyes in natural light
to make sure that the look you are going for is there. You'll
soon see that creating the perfect smoky eyes is a breeze once
you have done it a few times!

Whatever you do, the best thing you can do for your lower lashes
is not to line inside your eyelid. It may look great on models in
the pictures but they are not wearing it all the time. You may
get an eye infection by doing so.


If you want the 'V' at the corner of your eyes, take your dark
eye shadow color out, as far you want your 'V' to be. Blend it
well so that it doesn't look hard. You can even turn the tip up
as to create 'cat eyes'. As you blend, make sure you are
brushing out, not back and forth because once again you will make
it look muddy.

If you are using mineral eye shadow and you get some on your
cheek, take a Q-Tip dipped in either moisturizer or plain water
to remove it. You can try taking a round sponge and 'picking
up' the eye shadow without getting it anywhere else.


Don't forget that you do not need a dark lip color because you
want your eyes to be what is noticed most, not your lips. If you
want to wear dark lipstick then forget the smoky eyes.

Now go put on your favorite outfit, walk through your favorite
perfume and off you go!




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Copyright (c) 2006 Kim M Snyder
Kim is the owner of http://overallbeauty.com
With ideas, gifts and products for your special beauty needs
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Overallbeauty.com where the idea is that there is beauty in
everything. In the use of mood nail polish, magic lash eyelash
enhancer, mineral eye shadow, all natural skin and bath care,
and more. Visit http://Overallbeauty.com