Smokey Eye make-up tutorial

Welcome to “Up in Smoke”, my step-by-step Smokey Eye make-up tutorial.

We begin by starting with cleansed, lightly moisturised skin. I like to use a skin primer as I have oily skin and fairly large pores and a primer helps to disguise this. I applied a small amount of Innoxa Pure Silk Skin Primer, patting it on gently and then waiting a few minutes before applying my foundation and powder (Powder is optional, not everyone likes to use it. If you prefer a “dewy” look, skip it. If you have oily skin, it’s a must to set your make-up and help absorb excess oil).

Onto my eyelids. First, I applied e.l.f. Shadow Lock Primer and waited a minute or two for it to dry before applying a nude, flesh coloured eyeshadow from lashline to brow, this will act as a base for the coloured shadows. I’m using Coastal Scents 88 Colour Warm palette which doesn’t have any colour names printed on them but I’ve used a shade closest to my natural skin tone.

Next, I apply a shimmery light grey to the entire lid area, using an eyeshadow brush and then blend it well into the crease using an e.l.f Blending Brush.

Using a dark grey, apply this to the crease and blend it into the lighter grey, once again using the Blending Brush.

Place a small amount of shimmery white eyeshadow under the arch of the brow and blend well. This will act as a highlighter.

Using an angled brush, line the upper eyelid right along with lash line with black gel eyeliner (liquid eyeliner could also be used). I used Bobbi Brown’s Long-wear Gel Eyeliner in “Black Ink”.

Line the waterline (the area above the lashes on the lower lid) with a black pencil eyeliner. If you have small eyes and want to make them appear bigger, use white eyeliner on the waterline instead of black and apply the black eyeliner slightly under or in between the lower lashes.

Finally, apply a few coats of mascara to your lashes and fill in your brows, if necessary.