It just wouldn't be Fashion Week without the ubiquitous smoky eye. And this time around, the runway staple seemed to pop up at show after show, with makeup artists whipping up looks that ranged from grungy to glam. And why not? The smoky eye is the best option for getting that mesmerizing, smoldering look—but its biggest draw just might be its variability: The smoky eye can be kept night-shift-dark and edgy or softened up using lighter, less severe shades. Here are three fresh and doable yet still sexy retellings of the smoky eye to try now.
Winged Victory—Somewhere between the cat eye and smoky eye, we find Tom Pecheux's look for Derek Lam's fall 2011 collection. Using two new Estee Lauder silver and black shadows, he first winged the black smokey eye shadow out toward the temples, then applied a metallic grey shadow on the center of the lid for a silver foil finish and paired the look with a nude, matte lip.
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The Smokey Eye Shadow Tools: Estee Lauder Pure Color Eye Shadow in Black Crystals, $20, available at Estee Lauder; NARS Velvet Matte Lipstick in Madere, $25, available at NARS; Dolce & Gabbana Smooth Eye Colour Duo in Romance, $36, available in March at Saks Fifth Avenue.
Low-Key Glam—Rich and creamy, the brown smoky eye from Cushnie et Ochs is soft enough to wear during the day but still sexy enough to turn heads. Choose a cream shadow and blend up to the brow. Apply the same shade at the lash line and smudge lightly. A touch of gold in the inner corner of the eye keeps the look light and bronzer on the cheeks and a light pink lip adds an out-of-doors feel.
The Tools: M.A.C. Mega Metal Shadow in Peek-at-You, $19.50, available at M.A.C.; Tarte Provocateur Amazonian Clay Shimmering Powder, $30, available at Tarte; M.A.C. Wonder Woman Lipglass in Emancipation, $20, available at M.A.C.; Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Shadow Blending Brush, $16, available at Sephora; Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Shadow Pencil in Rehab, $20, available at Sephora.
Going Green—Inspired by a photo of a black swan in a green lake on Phillip Lim's mood board, NARS makeup artist Lisa Butler created a light, ethereal, utlra-layered smoky eye. Start by lining the upper and lower lash lines with a sapphire blue, then blend. Apply shadow to the lids and underneath the eyes, keeping the darker shades toward the outer corners of the eye.
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