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Smoky - But
Not Too Smoky - Eyes
We've heard it/seen it a hundred times before. Those dark, smoky
eyes, the pale-as-can-be lips, the lanky limbs and the designer
duds. In one fell swoop, the image leaves me a bit at a loss. The
lanky limbs and the designer duds are tough enough, but the dark,
smoky eyes are nearly impossible to achieve without coming out of
your boudoir looking like you've been to battle.
This season,
I have taken it upon myself to make this look easy and accessible
to the masses. That is, I sought to find a way to have the Smoky
Look without the extreme drama and with an air of normalcy so I
wouldn't feel out of place getting in Starbucks at 8 am. (My post-boxing
ring eyes are not a hit with the working stiffs. They seem to think
I'm Cousin It or need to be reported to Domestic Services - even
though I live alone.)
So, I hightailed
it to my beauty advisor, counselor and friend, Tallaluah, seeking
the how-to's of not-too-smoky-smoky eyes. And this is what I learned:
The Requisite
Supplies:
1) A smudge
liner brush .
Will help apply shadow as liner making it not so dramatic.
2) A dark - but not too dark shadow. Tallulah's is called Graphic
(a dark gunmetal gray with a hint of plum). I have also found Bobbi
Brown's Black
Plum
which I also think works wonders. Shades of chocolate and gray will
make it easier than shades of black.
3) A berry/buff/nude-ish blush
and a nude-ish/berry lipstick. (After all, we can't forget other
facial parts.)
Optional: a sheer
white shimmer shadow. (Used to make eyes POP.)
The Three
Steps to Not Too Smoky Eyes:
 1)
With a WET smudge liner brush, dip in the shadow and line all the
way across the lid. The brush gives a thicker line and helps with
the drama. Under eye, do the same thing on the outer 1/3 of eye.
2) Using your finger or a dried brush, apply/smudge the same shade
of shadow on the outer half of eyelid from your just applied liner
to the crease. Do not apply to brow bone.
3) Apply mascara.
Optional: Apply your sheer shimmer shadow with your finger
or a brush to the inner half of your lid and on brow bone. This
will help open eyes, making you look more approachable.)
So
that we don't leave our smoky eyes alone, we must attend to our
cheeks and lips. We're passing on the traditional smoky
eyes = nude lips rule in an effort of attaining a not-so-vamp
look that will be more appropriate for the coffee shop. However,
we don't want our lips to compete with our darker eyes.  As
such, Tallulah recommends sheer berry browns on the lips
(try Rum Raisin or Brown) and something in the same family on the
cheeks
(natural, neutral tones). Her Ava lipstick and Sedona blush are
fabulous for richer looks and suitable to any skin coloring. (I'm
donning them now and feeling quite chic.)
All in all,
the look is warm, cozy and enticing. It has a bit of come-hither
with the rich eyes and warm mouth; but none of the goth of so many
smoke-outs gone bad. And best of all, it's easy enough for even
the most skiddish of make-up appliers.
For those of
you wanting hands-on assistance, Tallulah's staff at The Parlour
is offering free consultations to she she girls. (919)839-8333.
And for those too far to drop in, call in for help over the phone
or to order any products. She is selling the lipstick, blush and
shadow in an easy kit (with instructions) for $42. Just think...
glam is just a moment away.
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If
you're dying to get your hands on something monogrammed (and who isn't?),
this handbag designer has the answer to your chic little dreams. QD
Bags designer, Kristi Ward has found the perfect way to
blend style with function in her perfectly chi chi, 'Audrey bag'
(pictured below). With its brown fabric and tortoiseshell accents
and of course your monogram, this is the day handbag du saison. (Small,
$115, Medium $120, Large $130).
black
satin wrist bag will look absolutely darling with your flirtiest
holiday dress. And, the best part about it is we can have our monogram
stitched on to it. Who knew monograms had a nightlife? ($42).