I always look at the smokey eye tutorials and wonder just how everyone seems to be able to to achieve that flawless blend. I never do black smokey eyes because I feel that I end up looking like punched in the eye. So here’s my much softer take, using brown instead.

1. I started with my eyes because I wasn’t sure how much fallout there would be. I lightly buffed a little bit of Gressa Minimalist Serum Foundation onto the lids with the Real Techniques Expert Face Brush to give them a little coverage.
2. Next, I applied the Sheer Design Eyeshadow in Soft Nude with the Bdellium Tools 777 all over the lid and lightly up to my brow.
3. I used the Vapour Mesmerize Eye Colour in Flash, patting it on the outer half of my lid with my finger. I added my own mineral eyeshadow over the top as it has a little sparkle.
4. For my transition shade, I swept a light wash of taupe through my socket and blended it out.
5. In my crease I put a little of the Alexandra Brown Eyeshadow by SkinRich (this company is no longer trading). It’s a matte, chocolate brown.
6. I also lined the outer corners of my top lids with the Bdellium Tools 762 and joined in with the colour in my crease so it formed a V. I blended all the colours together using the Bdellium Tools in 783.
7. I lined the top of my lashes with the Ere Perez Organic Jojoba Pencil to give them definition.
8. I used the gold from the Ginger Splash Baked Mineral Blush and popped it on my inner corners, blending it up and  along my lower lashes. I always brush through any clump with the the Real Techniques.
9. I used the same colours for my lower lashes as I did on my lids, going from lightest to darkest along my lower lash line. I kept the Alexandra Brown Eyeshadow only to my outer corners and also applied a little eyeliner there too.
10. Using the Pacifica Magical Multi-Purpose Pencil, I lined my lower waterline, just to help brighten my eyes.
11. Finally I curled my eyelashes and applied two coats of the Pacifica Stellar Gaze Mineral Mascara on both my top and bottom lashes.
12. Once my eyes were done I finished the rest of my face with my mineral foundation. I applied only blush, the Ere Perez Pure Rice Powder in My Blush.
13. I applied the Juice Beauty Satin Lip Cream in Syrah. To make the mauve shade a little nuder, I took some of the Juice Beauty Lip Crayon in Malibu and smudged it over my lips, just in the centre.

Products Used

• Gressa Minimalist Foundation in 3.5
• Sheer Design Mineral Eyeshadow in Soft Nude
• Vapour Mesmerize Eye Colour in Flash
• My own mineral eyeshadow (I bought them from U-Makeup It)
• Pacifica Stellar Gaze Length & Strength Mineral Mascara
• Ere Perez Organic Jojoba Eye Pencil in Brown
• Pacifica Magical Multi-Purpose Pencil
• SkinRich Alexandra Brown Eyeshadow
• Ere Perez Pure Rice Powder Blush in My Blush
• Juice Beauty Satin Lip Cream in Syrah
• Juice Beauty Luminous Lip Crayon in Malibu

Tools Used

• Expert Face Brush by Real Techniques
• Lash Brow Groomer by Real Techniques
• Bdellium 957 Precision Kabuki
• Bdellium 762 Small Angle
• Bdellium 945 Contour
• Bdellium 777 Shadow
• Shiseido eyelash curler