Phoenix Wedding Photographer

The Perfect Smoky Eye

Yay!!  Some questions came in and I’m getting right to the first one!

The lovely Amanda asked me to interview my favorite makeup artist about the perfect smoky eye, and my friend, I have your response 🙂

For this question, I asked my all-time favorite makeup artist, the AMAZING Sarah SanMarco, who has done my makeup many times, the makeup of more than half of our brides, and makeup for all kinds of events/people/special occasions.  I am super picky, like incredibly afraid and picky, about who I let near my face because I break out and get skin reactions to just about everything under the sun, and Sarah is the only person I let do anything and everything to my face.  She’s amazing 🙂 Below is her answer to the question.

Q:  How do you properly accomplish a great smoky eye?

This is me, sporting a perfect smoky eye, thanks to Sarah San Marco at our Boudoir Bonanza!

A: From Sarah San Marco:

For this, let’s use blues to achieve the look.  Lots of Denim Blue shades are popular right now!  MAC Cosmetics has just launched a new line of Denim Blue shadows that are sure to fit everyone’s coloring this spring! http://www.maccosmetics.com/whats_new/4791/index.tmpl

Prep Your Skin

To achieve that perfect Smoky Eye, like Jenny is wearing, always use a concealer & powder on your lid & keep your skin looking fresh!  

Select Your Brushes Carefully

You will want to start with 4 different shadows, all products used on Jenny were purchased at MAC; Knight Devine, Wedge, Carbon & Naked Lunch.
* MAC Biltmore & MAC Scottsdale Fashion Square (PRO STORES) will sell refill shadows that you can custom select that fit right in a quad palette. It’s cheaper per shadow to purchase & replace this way! Yippee!

(Brushes are also by MAC, but you can use ones you already have that are similar to achieve this look. I have put the 3’s for each brush so you can surf MAC’s sight & compare!)


Step By Step Instruction

1) # 228 Mini Shader Brush- Place

“Knight Devine” on the upper lid, from your lash line all the way up to your crease, slightly bringing it up at the outer corner.  Also use the finer part of this brush to swipe some shadow under your eye, not going in farther than the inner part of your Iris. (Tip- I like to apply “just a dab” of water to my brush when using a dark shade right on the lid to avoid dust falling below the eye. If you dab it on a tissue & water comes out, it’s too much)


2) #275 Medium Angled Shading Brush-

Using “Wedge”, apply in your crease to just under your eye bone, do this all across your lid in that area.  Blending until your color is soft. You should not be able to see where the shadow starts & stops, it should be very subtle.

3) # 219 Pencil Brush-

Just a dab of “Carbon” on the outer corners of your upper lid, slighting winging the shadow up at the ends.  Use a tad of this on the outer lower lash line as well, winging it out & up!
This will help give that “Cat Eye” Look!

4) #239 Eye Shader Brush-

Place “Naked Lunch” on your brow bone & in the inside corners of your eye.  This will leave your eyes illuminating & polished!

5)  Last.. Line the “Inside” of your eyes with a Black liner on the Top & Bottom.  Or, I like an “Indigo Blue” for Brown Eyes! Finish up with black mascara!  My fav. pick- Buxom by Bare Escentuals! Available at Sephora–and you’re all set and smoky!

Last Tip:

Remember to keep your lips & cheeks light with this look!

That’s your answer!  I’d trust her, I certainly only look this fetching thanks to her magical work on my face in this picture!!!  Keep the question coming and I’ll keep hitting up Sarah for her expertise on makeup!  Send me questions on anything fashion, makeup, hair, boys, groceries, pets, whatever! –I’ll get you answers 🙂

To book Sarah for an event:

Sarah San Marco:  sarahsanmarco@cox.net, (602) 405-2278

xoxoxo

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April 10, 2011 - 6:17 pm

Sarah Sanmarco - Hi girls! I’d love it if any one has tried this out & had q’s!? Always happy to help! 🙂

March 11, 2011 - 7:29 pm

About Face: The Perfect Smoky Eye « Destiny's Bride - […] Happy Reading!  Click to see the blog post on “The Perfect Smoky Eye” […]

March 11, 2011 - 4:49 pm

Elizabeth Newlin - Can’t wait to try it out!

March 11, 2011 - 7:31 am

Amanda - Ohhh! Although what that convinced me is I should probably just hire her to do it if the occasion comes up. 😉 Thanks lady! (hot picture too, btw)

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