making faces :: smoky-eyed saturday

to be fair, if you've been following my adventures in hair, you'll be able to tell from the photos that this look is not from today, but from a little while ago. you'd be surprised how carefully i log what i wear so that i can resurrect it on the blog if the urge strikes me and so that i can monitor if there are any things that aren't getting much love, so that i can decide what to cull. and it is absolutely not because i show signs of ocd, no matter what dom says.

i did an extensive post on smoky-eyed looks last year, but i thought i resurrect the subject, since it is both one of my favourite looks and because it's something that i firmly believe anyone can master. after all, the whole point of the look is that it should be smudgy and inexact, which is perfect if you have no idea what the hell you're doing. or if you're clumsy. hint: both of these descriptors apply to me.

this falls into the category of a more dramatic, evening-out type look. [in fact, this is what i had on at the last caustic lounge.] that said, it's a pretty quick thing to do when you're more interested in doing other things- like getting your cd's together and thinking of what you're going to play- or when you just want something to put on in a hurry that doesn't look like it was done in a hurry.

one of my favourite products to use for this sort of look is mac's loose pigments. these might be my favourite thing that mac produces, since the colours have incredible depth- much more so than most regular eye shadows- and because, while they might cost $24cad, chances are they'll bury you with them, because you need very little.




the downside of loose powders is that they can get a little getting used to, because they can make a mess and it does take some skill to apply them precisely. of course, one of the cool things about loose pigments is that you can apply them wet, which makes it a lot easier to get them where you want them. all you have to keep in mind is that the wetter the brush you use to apply them [although it might be tempting in a preschooler with paints kind of way, i really don't recommend fingers for this], the more pigment you're going to pick up and the more intense the result is going to be.

mac sells a fantastic substance called fix+ that is perfect for spritzing on brushes and applying loose product, or a water-based mixing medium which will make them cling to you like a piece of toilet paper to your heel, but honestly, water works almost as well. i usually just dampen the brush and pat colour on roughly where i need it- it doesn't have to be perfect, just more or less even so that you don't look inebriated or crazy.

once that's done, it's just a matter of taking a blending brush and gently smudging the colours so that they run smoothly together, and making them soft around the edges. blending shadows allows them to mix, but remember that it will also remove some product, so don't press too hard, or you'll end up having to reapply and you'll probably have bits of pigment all over your face. not a good look for anybody.

there are makeup artists who are far more skilled than i who doubtless have special techniques for making these things look perfect, but i generally go for uncomplicated. i don't possess the patience and dexterity needed to get everything just so, because honestly, i don't think anyone's looking at me that intently. and if they are, i'm probably too occupied being creeped out by them to worry what they think of my eye makeup.

here's the end result!

products used

face ::
marcelle new age foundation "ivory"
smashbox high definition liquid concealer "fair/ light"

eyes ::
mac pigment "the family crest"* [warm black with gold/ bronze shimmer]
mac pigment "deep purple" [dark shimmery aubergine]
mac pigment "mauvement"* [frosted light tan]
armani eyes to kill e/s "19"* [shimmery platinum]
inglot e/s "351" [matte ivory]
mac eye kohl "smolder" [black]
chanel inimitable intense mascara

cheeks ::
edward bess quad royale "south of france" [mauve- sand]
mac beauty powder "oh so fair"* [soft light pink]

lips ::
armani l/g "greige d'armani"* [sheer grey-taupe]

*suggested alternates :: the family crest = mac dark soul pigment; mauvement = mac tan pigment or mac e/s "sweet satisfaction"; armani 19 is limited but still available; oh so fair = benefit hervana; greige d'armani is still available and i truly can't think of a dupe for it- it's quite a unique colour. it looks a unwearable in the tube [or as dom put it: "it looks like santorum- and you're putting it on your lips!"], but the relative sheerness makes it very user friendly.