Metallic-eye
Just about the time I get my closet primed and ready for the next season, I have to head back to the shops to get my makeup bag up to snuff. I tell you, a fashionista's job is never done. And I stress the word job - I take my wardrobe, vanity table and nail enamel very seriously.

Armed with several celeb shots and my usual barrage of questions, I stepped out in my newly-purchased transitional items (SJP's cropped jeans and a light sweater) to do some research at the product counters and along the drug store aisles. (Mind you I was still sweltering, but I firmly believe your 'look' determines your frame of mind.) After several turns in the makeup chairs, it became clear that us eye makeup novices will get another crack at the smoky eye, as it is again the eye du saison. Don't despair, this time the seductive eye is much more subtle (i.e. less only-acceptable after-9 p.m.). You may even be able to step out in daylight donning the smoky eye, if you somewhat master the look.

Clinique Touch Base in Moon Lighting, $13.50, gloss.com

Key ingredient: Eyeshadow in a metallic purpley-gray (perfect for all skin tones). Somehow, between shoes, bags and eyeshadows, being a metal-head became chic this season. I like Clinique Touch Base in Moon Lighting for a shimmery day look, (it's a creme so it stays in place - NO CREASES). Nars eyeshadow in Barbuda is great for a more dramatic look.

The How-to:
1. Start with a primer that will help the shadow stay in place. Try Smashbox's Photo Finish Correcting Foundation Primer, this cosmetic staple can be applied all over face and has an ' I'm ready for my close-up feel.'
2. With a rounded crease brush apply the metallic color to the crease of your eye, blending outward. Do not apply this shade to your brow bone.
3. With an angled brush, sweep the outside corners of brow bones with a lighter, more natural shade. Lancome Color Focus in Flash is an HQ favorite.
4. Now the liner. Quite possibly this is the scariest and most daunting step of the whole operation. I mean anyone can fill in the crease and trace the brow bone, but mention the word liner (liquid or otherwise) and the fear of cat-eyes is overwhelming. I've been assured that normal product junkies/non-makeup artists can learn to successfully apply liner. First off, those that know swear creme liner is the way to go. I have my doubts, but once the brush starts toward your eye all you can do is look through the madly-blinking, ignored (for now) eye and mentally take notes. Use a stiff, angled brush and dab/drag (not exactly technical, I know) the brush across your lashline moving towards the inside corner of your eye. Then go back over and blend the dabs/dots together. I still maintain the belief that under-eye liner is not the way to go, but to each her own. Any of the shades in the Lorac Creme Eyeliner Collection 2 would complement your newly-smoked metallic eye.
5.Last step, after the double-coat of mascara, is to fill in and shape your brows. Now I have to admit, I'm a newbie to this as no one ever told me about the significance of good brows. (More to come on that at a later date.) Apparently all savvy makeup gurus fill in the brows then apply a colorless pomade to keep them in place. Who knew? Not I. Ask me about denim, tweed and the latest bag and I'm a cornucopia of knowledge, but brows stump me. I will now be forever sold on Bobbi Brown's Natural Brow Shaper.

And thus the mystery of the new eye is solved. With a full month left until fall weather hits we should all have ample time to firm up our wrist and successfully nail the new smoky eye.

Till next time,
Shop Girl

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