Smokey Eye Make-up Look

Hey guys,

This is a new style of post for me so please let me know if you like it and want to see more or if I should never do it again!

Below are some pictures of the look that I created using the Zoeva Cocoa Blend Palette.  It is a very simple look to create and I’ll make a step by step guide on which products and brushes I used.  If you only wish to read about the eyes skip to step 8!

1. The first step is ALWAYS to moisturise! I like to use Good Things Mattifying Anti Blemish Moisturiser (£5.33).  Not only does this moisturiser smell great but I have seen a definite improvement in the smoothness of my skin.  I leave my moisturiser to set for around 3 minutes before I move on.

2.  Another must step is priming.  It is very rare for me not to prime my face before doing my make up and I have been loving the Clinique Superprimer Face Primer (£21).  It is for all skin types and has made a big difference on the longevity of my make up without making it cakey.  It also doesnt feel silconey like some primers do, it almost just feels like a moisturiser.

3. My current go to foundation is the Benefit Hello Flawless liquid foundation (£26.50).  I am using the shade Pure 4 Sure Ivory which is the lightest shade they have and is also yellow toned.  They have another Ivory shade that is more pink toned.  I was say this foundation is a medium coverage with a slightly dewy finish which I find perfect for day to day live.  I like to use the Real Techniques Buffing Brush to apply my foundation as I think it gives the most flawless finish.

4. I like to use two different concealers for different things.  I use the LOreal Paris True Match Concealer (£6.99) in the shade 4 Beige to cover up any spots and further redness on my face.  This shade matches my skin perfectly and blends like a dream.  The next concealer I use is the Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer (£4.19) in the shade Fair to conceal and highlight under my eyes.  This has always been a go to product of mine and for the price it is incredible.  I also have no problems with this concealer creasing which is a definte bonus!  I either use a Beauty Blender or a Real Techniques Setting Brush for concealer.

5. The next step is to of course set my face and I do so using Rimmel Stay Matte Pressed Powder (£3.99) in Translucent.  Again this is another go to setting powder for me and has been for years.  It makes sure that both my foundation and concealer stay on all day!  I use the Real Techniques Powder Brush for this step.

6. Recently I have gone back to an old favourite for bronzer and that is the Bourjois Delice de Poudre Bronzing Powder Peaux Claires/ Medianes 51 (£7.99) This is the medium shade bronzer.  I used to use this when I was in Academy and recently thought I would give it another go.  It isn’t overly pigmented but works on days where you just need a little bit of colour rather than something intense.  I have been loving the Real Techniques Blush Brush to apply bronzer lately as it is soft and fluffy which I find gives a nice subtle look.

7.  Of course we cannot miss out blusher and my absolutely go to is the Urban Decay Afterglow 8 Hour Podwer Blush (£19) in Score.  I bought in while I was on holiday in July and just have not put it down ever since.  It is a gorgeous and slightly shimmery pink shade that doesn’t disappear during the day!  Again I use a Real Techniques Blush Brush to apply this ( A different one of course)

8.  Finally we are onto the eyes.  All eyeshadows are from the Zoeva CocoaBlend Palette (linked above) which is £18.  I have absolutely fallen in love with this palette and I will be doing a review with swatches some point soon.

• The first shadow I used was Bitter Start all over the lid.
• Next I used Sweeter End which is a shimmery pink shade, again this went all over the lid and blended outwards.
• To define the crease I firstly used Substitute for Love and I lightly applied this 3-4 times to build up the colour.
• The fourth colour I used was Declicate Acidity which is a shimmery purple shade and I used this in my outer corner to darken up the look.  I never normally use purple shades but I have been loving this one especially for autumn.
• The finally shade I used was Beans are White which in the pan looks black but is actually a very dark matte brown.  I used this in the crease to further define and darken the eye.
• The last step was to bring the matte brown and shimmery purple shade under my eye

I used multiple brushes to create this including a Mac 217, Real Techniques Eye Shadow Brush, Superdrug Eye Shadow brush and a Barry M concealer brush.

9. Step 9 is all brows! After a month or so of neglect my Benefit Browzings Shaping Kit (£24.50) is back in use! This kit has lasted me ages and still has a long way to go! I also always use the brushes it comes with as I find them better than any of the angles brushes I have bought myself.

10. I am forever changing my mascaras to find the perfect one and at the moment the one I find myself reaching for is the Benefit RollerLash Mascara (£19.50) When I first bought this mascara I felt that the formula was much too wet and made my lashes go clumpy however now that it is running out it is so much better! Need to grab myself another one and start drying it out (as awful as that sounds)

11. To finish off the look I used Elizabeth Aden Ceramide Ultra Lipstick (£21) in the shade Amethyst.  This is a pretty plum/purple colour that isn’t highly pigmented but is a very natural pretty looking colour.

I have been wearing this look quite a lot recently as I think it looks pretty but effortless too! It’s also super quick for when I have early starts at uni.  I hope you guys have enjoyed this post, please let me know if you liked/disliked this in the comments!  I’d love to hear your feedback.

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