Black Sparkly Smokey Eye Makeup Tutorial!

Humid summer evenings, is there anything sexier than a contrasting lights out dark, rich smokey eye? The oilier, the better. Victoria Beckham got the memo…

Summer calls for lightweight makeup, especially in the daytime. But when the sun’s winding down, bring the intensity to your summer evenings, Let’s keep the skin lightweight and minimal, elevate the colour and attention to your eyes. The darker the better. We’re going for grungey rock star, but make it cute. Think, Versace runway makeup. Clear, precise smokey eyes, but scaled back every so slightly.

Keep the skin to a minimum, Natural, radiant and glowy. Light-medium coverage foundation, concealer, contour/bronzer, hint of blush and highlighter. Fill your eyebrows lighter than usual, the emphasis is all in the eyes, chico.

Tip, follow your natural crease with a neutral colour, for example a light warm brown eyeshadow / bronzer, then apply a black creamy base, that lasts, whether that’s a shadow stick, or just a black eyeliner, fill in your eyelid with that black. From your lashline, up to your lightly defined crease, extending to the outer corners of your eyes, to create the illusion of mysterious cat eyes.

Then for the fun part, I applied the sparkly black eyeshadow ‘Jet’ from the Urban Decay Born To Run Eyeshadow Palette, with my finger onto my eyelid, following the crease guide I created. Don’t ask how I managed to get it so accurate, but I did. Applying with your fingertip, which naturally exudes a dash of oil, is the easiest, most impactful way to apply sparkly eyeshadow, without fallout. If an eyeshadow brush is easier, just apply MAC Fix + or dampen your brush slightly with water just so the shadow has something to adhere to, which results in more colour payoff, and less fallout. Compliment your natural eye-shape by using your crease as your guide, and just extending outward slightly. Lightly blend the edges, but we want the clear definition. Side note: all products mentioned are linked below!

Finally, when you’ve perfected that step, use a touch of a light silver/silver-blue eyeshadow. The Mac Dazzleshadow in silver is the perfect accompaniment, to dab on your inner corners. Instantly creates a contrast and lightens your smokey eye, like the glimmer of a gorgeous sunrise.

Complete the look with black liner on your lashline with a feline flick. Layers of mascara. Final touches, go nude on the lips, with a light glaze of gloss. Then lastly, set your makeup in place with a setting spray. Urban Decay all nighter, or if you’re feeling like a minimal fresh spritz, with less ingredients, MAC prep + prime fix+.

Products mentioned:

1. Urban Decay Born To Run Eyeshadow Palette | Click here to buy
2. MAC Dazzleshadow in ‘Discotheque’ | Click here to buy
3. MAC Prep + Prime Fix+ Setting Spray | Click here to buy
4. Urban Decay All Nighter Setting Spray | Click here to buy

Did you enjoy this post? What’s your go-to celebratory/party makeup? Do you own the Urban Decay Born To Run eyeshadow palette? Comment below your thoughts!

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