Get smokey eyes

Laura Mercier, a celebrity makeup artist in the US once said, “Your eye makeup says so much about you and your style.” Nonetheless, there is need to apply it right so that you achieve the intended results. We explore a few eye makeup techniques as well as how to keep your eyes healthy with seasoned makeup artists.

Daphine Tukamushaba of ILove studio outlines how to get smokey eyes;
You will need; primer, concealer, black eyeshadow, black liner, mascara, eyeshadow brushes
Always start with a clean base, then apply a primer on your eyelids so the makeup stays longer and makes it easier to blend the eyeshadows.

Thereafter, use a concealer under the eyes and on the eyelids to even out any discolouration. A creamy concealer is ideal as it will not settle into creases atop your undereye area.

After blending on concealer, use a large fluffy brush to tap translucent powder or call it your transition shade on the under eye area. This powder catches loose particles as you apply the eyeshadow. However, you only need a tiny amount of the eyeshadow and the key is to blend it in large circular motions to create that blown out smokey effect.

Use a more tapered brush to add a darker shade; shimmery brown, navy, gray, plum, or forest green tend to work best as they are less harsh compared to solid black and will be much easier to blend out. They also add a sexy element of surprise to your look.

Tip: Using a smaller, more tapered brush will give you more control and definition.
Smokey eyes should not have harsh lines. Sweep your brush in your chosen shade and tap off any excess before gently blending the darker shade underneath the transition shade.

For a dramatic smokey eye, take the darker shade right onto the crease of your eye and smudge a black kohl liner along the lash line.
Tukamushaba adds that you should take your time and use a small amount of product as it can be difficult to work with much shadow, especially when it is dark.

Also, always create your smokey eye before your face makeup such as foundation and concealer in case it smurges onto your cheeks.

Finally, she says, for perfect smokey eyes, blend, blend, blend.

Applying false lashes
It can be tricky, applying these lashes despite them looking perfect in the packet. With that, Elizabeth Mbabali of Izzy&Co Salon advises, “Select from a choice of individual lashes or strip lashes. Individual lashes give a more natural and customizable look whereas strip lashes give a volumised or winged look.”

However, there is no one-size-fits-all, thus the need to find the ideal lash type for your eye shape:
Deep-set eyes; with eyes set deeper into the head creating an illusion of a more prominent brow bone, try lashes that are longer in length at the centre of the lashes.

Downturned eyes; when the outer corners of your eyes appear to be drawing downwards, a shorter strip lash that is longer in the outer corners to lift your eyes is great.

Hooded eyes; when the crease on your eyelid is not visible, go for a thin strip lash in a shorter length.

Prominent eyes; when your eyelids appear projected in the eye socket area, balance your top lashes with strip lashes on the bottom, to give the illusion of pushing back your eyes. Then, apply mascara onto your lashes to help the natural lashes blend with the false ones. Measure the desired length and trim off any excess from the outer side.

Wrap the false lashes to give them a natural curl. Apply a thin layer of lash glue onto the edge of the lashes and allow it to dry a little

Tip: I find it easier to apply the glue to my own lash edge then apply to the false lashes.
Place the lashes as close to the eyelids as possible and press your lashes and the false ones with tweezers.

Health issues with eye makeup
“The eye is vulnerable to infection; the more you touch them, the more likely it is to be infected,” Mbabali continues, “Therefore, applying makeup to your eyelids daily, particularly, if the kit is not clean or expired, can lead to eye problems.”

Mascara: Soot particles in mascara can block the small oil producing pores along the length of the eyelid margin. This is the commonest cause of red eyes, dry eyes and irritated eyes.

Dirty brushes: Makeup brushes gather bacteria and dirt over time, introducing germs in your eyes. Wash them regularly to avoid infection.

Sharing makeup: Sharing your makeup kit is a recipe for cross infection. You would never share a toothbrush, so why share your eye makeup items?

Misty eyes; how to achieve them
“Misty eyes may not be far from smokey eyes,”Tukamushaba explains, “but the difference is that misty is really faded while smokey is quite dark at the edges.” So, the difference comes in the amount of dark shade used.
it could be smokey black, brown, pink, or blue; misty eyes simply mean blended out dark edges.”