Blending eyeshadows/smokey eye

fussyonion

I'm newish to eyeshadow and I have been experimenting with a Naked 2 palette by Urban Decay which was bought for me as a present.

I don't think I'm very good at blending and although I have watched countless tutorials on Youtube, I can't seem to get that smokey eye effect because my blending isn't good.

I could blend for ages but it would result in my smokey eye being not so smokey and lighter than I want.
How many brushes do you use for blending?

I have four brushes. One I use to apply light coloured eyeshadow.One to blend light coloured eyeshadow. One to apply dark eyeshadow and one to blend dark eyeshadow but I'm thinking I might need another brush to blend the whole lot.


I'm very confused and I wonder how many brushes you girls use?
I've tried smokey eye but it never looks dramatic because I'm too afraid of it going wrong (I end up adding too much light eyeshadow) and I don't think I'm fully aware of how to do it.

Lyaiera

A big tip that I've found for make up and clothes and anything you put on or wear, mirrors lie. I find it very hard to judge anything about myself with a mirror. Your smokey eye could be fine but your view of it is changed by seeing it in a mirror. Try putting a camera up on something and take a picture of yourself and then look at the picture. It makes it easier to judge how well you've put it on.

(I know this isn't really about the thread but it's something that popped into my head reading it.)

dee_mc

I have the opposite problem - my 'smoky eye' usually ends up looking more like a bruised, black eye
So i shall be following this thread with interest!

xLisaBx

I usually put some dark eyeshadow on the edges and blend it with my finger! Probably not the most professional way but it works much better than my brushes anyway Lets take purple for an example: lilac over the eyelid and very dark purple with my finger at the edges. It helps when the colours are clearly different but can be blended together as one

bscm

If it's lighter than you want, then you're either over blending or you may need a little more of the darker colour. The Naked 2 does have a fair few light shades, or shades that wouldn't show very well in a dramatic look on someone who uses fake tan or has a darker skin tone. As said before, the more common problem with smokey eyes is looking like you got into a fight

I normally blend everything at the same time because the base colour doesn't really need to be moved once placed on the lid, it's only darker colours or crease colours that need to be smoked out and blended into the base.

The brushes you use may be an issue too. If you apply colour with a fluffy brush, you'll lose a lot of the impact once you blend it out because those brushes only pick up a small amount of product. It's easier to pack colour on with a flatter brush (example would be anything similar to MAC 239), and then blend with a fluffy brush (MAC 217 is amazing). If you apply with a flat brush, you can use one side for lighter shades (or shimmery shades) and one for darker shades (or matte shades) to keep everything clean (and to reduce brush laundry).

BethG

Hi Fussy, what brushes are you using to apply and blend the colour? Also, what base are you using for your Smokie?

fussyonion

BethG wrote: »

Hi Fussy, what brushes are you using to apply and blend the colour? Also, what base are you using for your Smokie?

I'm not using any fancy brushes..I am quite new to eyeshadow.

I'm using a Boots fluffy one, a Boots flat one and the brush that came with the Urban Decay Naked 2 palette..one end is soft and fluffy and the other end is flat.
The brushes are quite good though.

I don't use a base either..I put a little foundation on my eyelids as I am pale and I can't just leave them bare as it'd be so noticeable. I use Estee Lauder Double Wear in Shell.

BethG

fussyonion wrote: »

I'm not using any fancy brushes..I am quite new to eyeshadow.

I'm using a Boots fluffy one, a Boots flat one and the brush that came with the Urban Decay Naked 2 palette..one end is soft and fluffy and the other end is flat.
The brushes are quite good though.

I don't use a base either..I put a little foundation on my eyelids as I am pale and I can't just leave them bare as it'd be so noticeable. I use Estee Lauder Double Wear in Shell.

The foundation may be your issue here; it's not suitable as a base for eye shadow as it's a bit sticky for the eye and it won't set as well as it does on the rest of the face; this will make blending it all rather hard.

Consider a specialist eye primer for your. Smashbox have one in their Photo Finish primer line, Urban Decay have one as well while at the budget end, ELF have one as well or you can use a normal primer as well. Use the fluffy end of brush with the UD palate to pack lots of colour onto your crease and the narrow one for working more precise colour onto your lower lid.

Alternatively, another way of doing smokey eye is to apply a base layer of colour with a kohl pencil; smudge it with your finger and pack the colour over it. Doing this means you won't need a base layer as well which makes blending easier. No 7 do a very good smudging brush for doing a Smokey; ask one of their counter girls for a demo

SusieBlue

I use the same foundation as you and have no problems blending, so I don't think its your foundation. I would suggest using a setting powder over your face in general before putting on eye make up, though, just to give an even smooth base.

I also use the Naked 2 for a smoky eye, so I'll give you a step by step on what I do and which colours I use. It sounds to me as though you are over blending, or not using dark enough shadows in the crease.

This is for a brown smokey eye.

1. I set my foundation with powder, then I apply rimmel eye shadow primer (very cheap).
2. I apply "half baked" using a flat brush and pat it onto the lid, concentrating on the inner corner. Do not blend this, if anything, the more condensed this area is, the better.
3. Using another flat brush, I pat "chopper" onto the middle of the lid and bring it outwards. These two colours should be gently patted on, not brushed/blended.
4. Using a medium fluffy blending brush, I blend "tease" onto my crease, using a generous amount of product. I concentrate on the outer "v" shape, but bring it over the whole lid, using gentler strokes towards the inner corner of the eye and heavier strokes on the outer corner.
5. Used a small, condensed blending brush, I apply the tiniest amount of "blackout" onto my outer "v", and gently blend.
6. I then go back to "tease" and go over the black with it, blending out any harsh lines, but not completely eradicating the colour.

I like this method because I favour goldy/coppery tones with a neutral beige smoky crease. It may not work for you and I'm by no means an expert, just thought I'd share in case its any use to you! Practice really is key when it comes to make up