Summer 2015 Trend: No-Slip Smokey Eye
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The summer smokey eye is perfect for beach parties. (Photo: Ben Ritter)
A sultry smokey eye is one of those versatile makeup looks that everyone, from teenage girls going to prom to professional makeup artists like Pat McGrath, has a personal take on. Just searching for “smokey eye” products on Sephora.com gives you 119 product recommendations. And yet, plenty of people are intimidated by the idea of doing a smoldering eye look on themselves even though they are the perfect complement to your laidback, easy-breezy ensembles when you’re going out this summer — and contrary to popular belief, there are ways to make sure that it stays on, in spite of the heat and humidity. We spoke with makeup artist Nina Park, who regularly does smokey eye looks for music festival-frequenting stars like Banks, Bella Thorne, Natasha Lyonne, and Ashley Tisdale, on how to get the cool look without melting:
Start with an eye primer. Park uses Nars Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base ($25). “It’s a tube and it’s clear; it’s the perfect primer for summer,” she says. “You just have to let it dry.” If your skin is prone to becoming greasy, it doesn’t crease your eyelids at all. Park applies the primer as a sheer layer across the lids with her fingers.
Finger painting is optional. Park likes to use her finger for smudging — the smokey eye look is less about precision and more about shape and depth — but if you prefer using brushes, she recommends the Laura Mercier Eye Colour Brush ($27) or any concealer brush. “Use a synthetic, semi-dense, tapered brush,” she advises.
Apply concealer on your eyes. Many people have a slight discoloration on their eyelids, but a normal foundation or concealer may be too heavy for the summer heat. Park recommends Laura Mercier Eye Basics ($27), which is both an eye primer and a sheer skin-tone emulating concealer for the lids. “I use this to neutralize the lids,” Park says. “If you have perfectly even-toned eyelids, of course, you don’t need it.”
Use a cream or crayon eye shadow. You might be worried about the cream shadow melting off, but the cream will stick to your skin, while a powder will slide off with sweat. Park uses Laura Mercier Caviar Stick Eye Colour in Tuxedo Black ($28), an eye pencil made in particular for smokey eyes. “I love sticks because they’re really easy to use and it gives ample time to set,” Park says. She applies the pencil onto the lash line and smudges it with her ring finger, blending it into the desired shape she wants. For depth and shine, Park also uses Shiseido Shimmering Cream Eye Color in Caviar or Sunshower ($25), which can last up to 16 hours. Using a tapered brush, apply the cream shadow as close to the lash line as possible.
Rim the outer eye. Leave it to Kate Moss’ makeup artist, Charlotte Tilbury, to perfect the smudged eye look. Park loves the Charlotte Tilbury Rock ‘n’ Kohl Iconic Liquid Eye Pencil in Bedroom Black ($27), which looks like a pencil but glides on like a gel liner. It’s also waterproof — perfect for pool parties or dance parties. Park puts it directly on the water line.
Top it off with waterproof mascara. Park uses two coats of Neutrogena Healthy Lengths Mascara in Carbon Black ($9). According to her, this mascara keeps the lashes soft and full.
Avoid eye cream. “It’s too rich for a hot day,” Park says. “It will melt off.” If you must use cream, apply as little as possible.
Tote some concealer for touch ups. You can use your finger to repair any smudges, but Park says you can also use some concealer to touch up your eye, setting it with powder to brighten. She also recommends Tatcha Original Aburatogami Japanese Beauty Papers ($12), made of abaca leaf and gold leaf and based on the blotting papers that geishas once used.
All you need is one product for removal. The smokey eye is not low-maintenance, but luckily the removal process is one-step. Park recommends soaking cotton balls in a micellar water like cult favorite Bioderma Sensibio H2O ($13) or an oil remover like Lancôme Bi-Facil Double-Action Eye Makeup Remover ($29). “Leave them on your eyes and rub gently in a downwards motion,” she says.
Hat: stylist’s own; bracelets: Charming Charlie.
Makeup: Bobbi Brown
Hair: Joseph DiMaggio
Styling: Noelle Sciacca
Related:
Get to Know Kate Moss’ Makeup Artist, Charlotte Tilbury
