Studio Gear sent me their new Holiday Smokey Eye Palette last week, so I decided to try my hand at a makeup post! In general, I feel like I’m pretty good at doing my makeup, but I also don’t switch it up very much. Like generally my idea of “special occasion” makeup is just normal makeup plus mascara on the bottom lashes. I’ve tried doing a smokey eye before, and I usually just ended up looking like a raccoon.
But the Studio Gear Holiday Smokey Eye Palette comes with step-by-step instructions so I figured why not give it another go? In the grand tradition of Sarah’s Real Life, I took photos in my bathroom, where my cat joined me halfway through the process. I didn’t use any of the fancy tools specified in the instructions; I just used the brushes I already had. I also didn’t practice beforehand, so this should actually give you a realistic idea of how your own attempt might turn out (i.e. nothing like the illustration shows but still fine).
The instructions give you options for a dramatic look and a more subtle look. I went all out dramatic with the dark charcoal color. Look out, world! After applying the light, pearly color all over, then the dark gray color on the lid, the instructions said to use an angle brush to create a V shape with the dark gray. I wasn’t really sure what that meant, but I decided it meant something like the middle photo above. In hindsight, I think maybe I was supposed to use it all the way down the lashline and down the whole crease. Oh well. Next time.
The real challenge was trying to blend the “V” so it didn’t look like I was just a crazy person who didn’t know how to put on eyeliner. Studio Gear suggests using their special blending brush, which I don’t have, but maybe I should look into it. (Does anyone know what that is? Do you have one? And is it worth it?)
Then the pearly color goes in the corner of the eye and under the lower lashline. I did this, but I couldn’t really tell the difference. Once again this could be because of the brush I used. Or because I didn’t use primer. In other words I don’t follow directions well so I really shouldn’t complain when my results aren’t perfect.
Finally, there’s a pretty gold shimmery color that goes under the brow bone. That was my favorite part. I love a good brow bone highlight, and the gold is a festive touch.
This also happened. I think she heard me say “cat eye” and thought I needed her help. Very helpful, Coco. Thanks.
The Holiday palette includes a nice blush, and I also added my own mascara. Like I said before, this is normally the only thing I do to make my eye makeup fancy. I use the Clinique Bottom Lash Mascara because one time I needed to spend another $10 to get the free gift and this mascara was exactly $10.
So there you have it! My “smokey” eye is the one on the left above. It really doesn’t look that smokey, does it? But hey, I played it safe, and at least I don’t look like a raccoon. It’s a nice change from the ordinary, and hopefully I’ll get better with practice. If I have any smokey eye pros out there, TELL ME YOUR SECRETS.
On the other eye, I used two of the colors in the Holiday palette to make a more typical (for me) look. I used the light, pearly color from lash line up to the brow bone, then used the pretty, light gray color on the outside half of the lid. Maybe I’m just boring, but I think I like the toned down version better!
*Thank you to Studio Gear for providing me with the Holiday Smokey Eye Palette for my review. All opinions are my own. Studio Gear is also offering a 10% discount on any order from their website! Just use the code SGHOLIDAY.
I use a smudge brush (they’re short and stout, if you’re looking for one at MAC or a similar store), and I must say that it really does the trick in terms of phasing out the line between colors when I apply eye makeup. I don’t even waste time with trying to achieve that perfect application because I know that I can always make corrections with my “smudger.” It’s an all-time favorite!
Thanks so much for telling me! Maybe I’ll look for one at Target next time I’m there – they usually have some reasonably priced makeup brushes. That’s where most of the ones I already have are from. Thanks again!
Love the makeup! I had the people at Sephora give me a smoky eye once and I hated it. I looked unintentionally smudged (think walk-of-shame makeup). I love how you did yours more subtle–I think that’s the best route to go!
-Katherine
http://scallopedandbows.blogspot.ca
Good point – maybe I don’t even like the super smokey eye look on myself, so why keep trying to do it the “right” way? I’ll just keep doing it my way 🙂
You did a great job!! I love it! Coco is just too darn cute!
Haha yeah she’s pretty cute. She was like, “Oh, everyone’s in the bathroom? I will be in the bathroom too.”
First off, your cat is adorable. She reminds me of my Freckles, except my girl is dark grey instead of black. Secondly, as a fellow art history undergrad, you would think that doing makeup and a smokey eye would come easy…but, noooo. I’m still trying to figure out the ever evasive “V”. As for smokey eyes, my big secret would probably be smudge. I smudge my liner along the lower lash line and then put a little shadow over it to hold it in place. I don’t do my top lash line because then I tend to look like a panda bear. When I want to go the extra mile, I wear lipstick instead of gloss..lol. Anyway, always enjoy reading your blog. Thanks for keeping it real! 😉
I’m glad you started off with complimenting my cat…that’s obviously the most important thing! 😉
And thanks for sharing your ideas. I wonder if studio art majors are better at makeup than art history majors? They at least have more experience with brushes.
I like the everyday look better. I normally don’t wear eyeshadow, but your everyday look is gorgeous. I need to buy myself an eyeshadow palette that has the instructions like yours or else I won’t know what to do.
-Vogue&Heels
http://www.vogueandheels.com
I know what you mean! I know there are all kinds of You Tube video tutorials out there, but let’s be real…I am not going to pull my laptop into the bathroom and try to follow along.
I’m with you, I like your normal look over the fancy – not that the fancy doesn’t look good, cause it does! But your normal look is more YOU. I’m the same way – whenever I try to do fancy eye makeup, I look like a cheap hooker *sigh* must be a blond-with-fair-coloring thing, I guess 😉
Ah yes, the cheap hooker look. Not a goal of mine. I think even fair skinned blondes can do smokey eye makeup, it just had to be in the right context. I like the idea of it on myself better if my hair were slicked back and I were wearing something very simple but chic. So, you know, like an expensive hooker.