Daytime Traditional Smokey Eye

Traditional smokey eyes, using blacks and grays, are my favorite eyeshadow look. I have very socketed eyes, which means my crease is very deep and visible. The traditional smokey eye really opens and lifts my eye shape, accentuating my deep crease, instead of working against.  It's not the method of smoking out because hey, smoking out your eyeshadow basically means blending and I blend every eyeshadow color I use (and so should you!). I have dark, heavy bags under my eyes. The concealing method I use contrasts under the eye with the dark, smoked out colors on my lid completely smooth and hide those pesky bags. But during the day, a dark smokey eye doesn't necessary work. But I found a way to pull it off! Here is my sexy, daytime traditional smokey eye, toned down for the beautiful sunshine. What do you guys think? Would you wear this look during the day?

 

 

I wore this out several times and always get a huge amount of compliments. And you will, too! Listed in n no particular order, here are the colors you will need and the specific products I used.

• eye primer/concealer: e.l.f. Complete Coverage Concealer-color 3
• Black, sparkle eyeshadow (elf-Pro 100 Palette, Column 10, Color 10)
• Shimmer Silver (elf-Pro 100 Palette Column 10, Color 6)
• Pale shimmer silver (elf Pro 100 palette Column 10, Color 3)
• Flesh-toned highlight (elf Pro Palette Column 1, Color 5)
• Brushes: blending brush, defining eye/angled eyeshadow brush, pencil brush & flat eyeshadow brush; angled eyeliner brush
• Black mascara: L'Oreal Double Extend Beauty Tubes-Black
• black eyeliner: e.l.f Cream Eyeliner-black

1. Complete your normal foundation/powder routine but hold off on concealing the under eye area til later. This will help with any particles of eyeshadow that may fleck off.
2. Cover your entire lid from the lash line to the brow with neutral toned eye primer or concealer. Pat in to blend; never rub your eye area or you risk damaging the fragile skin, which can cause broken blood vessels, fine lines and increase the risk of developing deep-set wrinkles.
3. With the flat eyeshadow brush, apply the flesh-toned eyeshadow from your lash line to your brow. This works as both a powder and a highlight. By priming and powdering your eye lid, your eyeshadow will last longer and crease less.
4. Begin with the black eyeshadow and the angled/defining eye brush. Create a "V" on your eyes outer corner. Remember to always tap your brush to remove the excess and prevent excessive eyeshadow particles around the eye. The "V's" point should line up perfectly with the outer corner, with one line angling up to your crease and the other line following the lash line about 1/4 of the way in. Fill in this outer "V" by patting on the black shade.
5. Before beginning Step 5, there are a few things you should know. You will not actually be applying the darker silver color enough for it to show but will only be using it to blend out the black eyeshadow & soften it for a day time look. Because this is a daytime smokey eye, most of the black color shall remain in the outer corner and inside your crease, with just a hint of color resting on the outer, lower part of the brow bone. Focus all blending into the crease, avoiding 1/4 of the crease at the inner corner. With the blending brush, dip it into the darker silver color and begin blending the black outer "V" into the crease and across about 1/3 of the lid.
6. Use the pencil brush to add more black eyeshadow into your and outer crease, remembering the information from Step 5. This will really define the eye. Repeat Step 5 for blending. By building layers of color, your eye will have a lot of depth. Make sure all harsh lines are blended out. Continue to add black shadow and blending it out with the silver shadow until you reach your desired color.
7. From the outer corner, extend the black shadow under your eye using the pencil brush.
8. With the flat eyeshadow brush, pat on the paler silver color to your inner corner and the inner part of the eye lid that doesn't have color. This color will meet with the black eyeshadow. Use the blending brush to blend out the harsh line where the light silver color and the dark black meet.
9. Line your upper lash line with the black eyeliner. Use a q-tip or your finger to smudge the eyeliner line. Top this line off with a little of the black eyeshadow to lock it in and prevent smearing, streaks or wearing off.
10. Apply several layers of mascara to top and bottom lashes. Use a fan or powder makeup brush to dust off any flakes of eyeshadow and complete your normal under eye concealer and powder routine.

*TIP* If the eyeshadow seems too dark, blend it out with the lighter silver color until you reach your desired shade.

I love this look! It is my new fave. Another cute twist on this is a less traditional smokey eye, using a dark shimmer brown, a matte tan for blending, and a honey shimmer bronze for lid color. Both versions are beautiful & sexy...but still toned down enough for every day wear. Oh, over look the scar below my eyebrow...nothing I do seems to hide my perfectly imperfect pierced eyebrow scar. LOL

Rocking a smokey eye as I head to the grocery store...til next time <3 Missie <3