STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

I think a black smokey eye is a bit harsh. I'd do like an eggplant dark/purple or gray, if I were you. You will need a blending color and a highlight color as well.

Sweep the darkest color eyeshadow (the gray, gun metal, dark purple, whatever you're using) along the eyelid and slightly into the crease using a medium to large sized shadow brush. Then, use a more netural color (I have one crease color that's sort of like a dark beiege that I use for blending) and a blending brush for the crease. Use a light vanilla type color for the highlight and brush it right under the brow. Then take an angle brush and the darkest color and sweep on the outer edge of the bottom lid so that it meets up with the top lid eyeshadow. You can then do a black liner on the top lid if you want (or do this before you've done any of the shadow). Add mascara and you're done.

ETA: I also recommend using one of those paints on the eyelid that helps the eyeshadow stay on all day. And I personally like MAC eyeshadow best of all.

-- Edited by Kitty at 20:37, 2007-01-06

I just had someone at MAC show me how and I really like it on me -  heres what she said -

Use a grey color and tap into the eyelid (part that covers your eye only).  slightly blend up into the eye crease.  take a more tapered shadow brush darker grey or black and blend into the creases.  then take a stiffer brush and starting from thr brow bone down, blend a flesh colored shadow into the crease.  this allows for a more faded, well blended smokey eye, rather than it being so obvious.  i then put a lil highlighter on my brow and viola.