When it comes to creating the ultimate smoky eye, there are a lot of qualities to look at. You want to create something that is clean, yet dramatic and visible. You don’t want your smoky eye to look theatrical or robust. You also want to pair your smoky eye with a neat face and lighter lip because your goal is to draw attention to your eyes and no other features.
Recently, I had the opportunity to create the “Sarah Afshar Classic Intense Smoky Eye Makeup Look” which is an incredible makeup look that I randomly produced before going out with friends. Although this look is very much wearable during any time of day (and if you want to wear this during the day, you are more than welcome to do so), it is better to wear during the evening hours.
You want to begin by priming your face with a foundation primer. Primer works as a sealer, which allows your makeup to last relatively long. It also prevents your makeup from fading or creasing. I also love primer because it prevents breakouts. Although I tend to use Laura Mercier’s Foundation Primer, for this particular makeup look, I am going to use Boscia’s Skin Perfecting Primer. It is my first time using this primer, so expect a review of it soon. You want to apply the primer all over your face and let it set for about a minute or two.
As you continue, you want to apply your foundation, as well as, concealer. Most of the time, I don’t wear foundation, however; when I create any kind of stand-alone inspired makeup look, I always apply it. I tend to apply concealer before my foundation and then reapply if necessary. Although I tend to use MAC’s Select Cover Concealer in NC42, for this particular look, I am going to try a new concealer I recently discovered from Tarte. It is called Smooth Operator Amazonian Clay Waterproof Concealer. I am going to use the Tan shade. Using the 195 MAC brush, I am going to apply the concealer on my face. Concealer is much thicker than foundation, so you don’t need to use a lot.
Foundation is always key when creating any kind of makeup look. Although I tend to use MAC’s Studio Fix Fluid in NC42, for this particular look, I am going to try a new foundation by Bobbi Brown. It is called Skin Foundation SPF 15. I am going to use shade Golden 6. Using a MAC 190 brush, I am going to apply my foundation all over my face. When it comes to foundation, there are no limits because you can blend. I am going to blend any excess foundation using a BeautyBlender.
Applying a setting powder is very important because it prepares your makeup, constructing a canvas. This also allows your makeup to last long. For this particular look, I am going to use a translucent powder. Using a powder that is not translucent can make your skin appear pasty and that is not the look you want to achieve. For the Sarah Afshar Classic Intense Smoky Eye Makeup Look, I am going to use MAC’s Blot Pressed Powder in Medium Dark. This inspired makeup look is for every woman with every skin tone, so you don’t have to use the exact colors, as I am. Using a MAC 134 brush, I am going to apply the blot powder all over my face.
For this particular inspired makeup look, you want to use a natural looking blush. Today, I am just going to use a subtle, yet natural looking blush. You want to use a blush that is darker than your skin tone, but not too cool or too warm. Although I tend to use NARS blushes, for this look, I am going to use Illamasqua’s Powder Blusher in Create. Using a MAC 116 brush, I am going to apply Create on my cheeks, as well as, my nose, forehead, and chin. Keep in mind, you don’t have to use this particular brush, as there are a ton of great blush brushes, as well as, dupes.
When it comes to producing the ultimate smoky eye, you need to first and foremost, prime your eye. In fact, priming your eye is an absolute must. What a better way to start by applying an eyeshadow primer all over the lid, as well as, on the crease to the brow bone. Although I love Urban Decay’s Eyeshadow Primer Potion, I am going to use a different eyeshadow primer. For this look, I am going to use NARS Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base. Primer prevents your makeup from making a mess and eyeshadow primer is a very important beauty essential to those looking to create only the hottest smoky eye.
The eyes are the most important feature to enhance and when it comes to this look, there are simply no limits. You definitely want to create a dramatic smoky eye, but you also want to keep it at a minimal if you intend to wear it in public. There is a huge difference between dramatic and theatrical, so keep it dramatic. The last thing you want to be a punch line to a joke. For the Sarah Afshar Classic Intense Smoky Eye Makeup Look, I am going to use three different shades of eye shadow. The darkest shade will be a black matte. The neutral shade, which will be used the most, will be a dark matte brown. The lightest will be the highlight, which is a light gold shimmer. When it comes to any smoky eye, you don’t want to use all shimmer shades.
You want to begin simply by applying the neutral shade. It is the default shade in this particular makeup look. For this individual makeup look, I am going to use Lancome’s Color Design Sensational Effects Eyeshadow in Couture. Remember, there are so many different types of eyeshadows, as well as, shades, so you are destined to find a dupe. Using a MAC 213 brush, you want to apply this eyeshadow all over the lid, going only slightly past the crease. You can use a modest amount. You don’t want to take it past the crease.
The darkest shade is a black matte. There are so many amazing black matte eyeshadows in the beauty world right now, however; my favorite black matte eyeshadow is definitely MAC’s eyeshadow in Carbon. It is incredibly pigmented and produces one of the best color payoffs in the beauty world to date. Using a MAC 275 brush, I am going to apply the black matte eyeshadow on the outer edges of my eye. You want to only apply to the edges of the eye. You do not want to apply it all over the lid, like you did with the Couture eyeshadow. You also do not want to take this eyeshadow past the crease.
Using a blending brush, you want to blend the darkest shade Carbon, the black matte eyeshadow towards the middle part of the eye, creating a smoking effect. For this particular look, I am going to use MAC’s 224 brush. As you continue, you want to apply more of the Couture shade, but do not blend.
Once you have finished applying the darkest and neutral shade of eyeshadow, you want to apply the highlight. You want something that is a pale golden shimmer. For the Sarah Afshar Classic Intense Smoky Eye Makeup Look, I am going to use MAC’s eyeshadow in Nylon. Using a MAC 242 brush, I am going to apply the highlight (the lightest shade) up towards the brow bone. MAC’s eyeshadows are incredibly pigmented, so you don’t need to use a lot.
You want to line your water line with a Kohl based liner. You also want to tightline and line the upper waterline, as well. For this particular look, I am going to use Afshar Beauty’s Kajal liner in Paradise Siyah, which is an intense black. There are numerous Kajal liners in the market. In fact, Sephora recently introduced one called the Smoky Kohl Eyeliner. You want to take the same liner and line your eyes. Remember, you can blend, so if you make any mistakes don’t worry about it. You want to apply it generously.
The eyebrows should be a little dramatic, but not over the top. They should still be natural looking. I absolutely love using Benefit Brow zings, however; for this particular makeup look, I am going to use Stila’s Stay All Day Waterproof Color in Medium. You want to make sure that your brows are colored in, but you want to make them a little refined, yet sharp, giving them a glamour-like appearance.
Mascara primer is optional. If I am going to be gone for a long period of time, I really like to apply it because it prevents my mascara from making a mess. There are numerous mascara primers on the beauty market, however; for today’s makeup look, I am going to use Clinique’s Lash Building Primer. You don’t need to apply a lot, but do apply enough. For mascara, I tend to use Dior relatively often. Whether it’s the regular Diorshow mascara or the Iconic mascara, I am an enthusiast. For the Sarah Afshar Classic Intense Smoky Eye Makeup Look, I am going to use Kat Von D’s Sin-Full Lash Mascara in Black. You want to apply a modest amount, but you don’t want to apply so much that your lashes look dry and/or spider-like.
The lips should be light. You can use nude, as well as, pink, but try to stay in the natural zone. You want the attention to be drawn to your eyes, not your lips, so your goal is to simply use a lighter lip product. For the Sarah Afshar Classic Intense Smoky Eye Makeup Look, I am going to use a natural lip lining product, followed by a natural looking lipstick. I am going to use Sephora’s Retractable Waterproof Lip Liner in Nude. Then, I am going to apply Laura Mercier’s Cr¨me Lip Colour in Tea Rose.
You are done. Congratulations, you have just created the “Sarah Afshar Classic Intense Smoky Eye Makeup Look”. Great job!
