Smokey Eye article, May 2009

Photo copyright by Gil Martinez Photography

All about one of my favorite looks: The Smokey Eye!

A lot of brides have asked me recently how to do a great smokey eye, and have also requested I do this type of look for their wedding day. I really love doing smokey eyes for brides because this look really stands out in pictures, and it looks amazing face to face as well.

Once of the most important things to keep in mind when you are deciding whether or not you want this type of look for your wedding day, is deciding on whether you want your eyes to pop or your lip color to pop. I never do a smokey eye, and then put on a really dark lip color. Doing this will look too heavy, and it is always good to have one dark feature, and then have the rest of the features more soft and neutral. You always want a focus point when you are doing your makeup.

My all time favorite look is doing a smokey eye with blacks, grays, a cream color, and a hint of a plum on the eyes. I love wispy lashes, and using just a bit of plum and black eyeshadow on the bottom of the lid. I do mascara top and bottom, and put a bit of a champagne sparkle eye shadow in the corner of the lids. This really opens up the eyes, and it adds a bit of romance to the look. I always like do airbrush foundation, with a hint of shimmery bronzer, and a pink cream blush on the apples of the cheeks. I like to stay away from the super Matte look, I am more into the dewy cheeks and skin. For the lips, I line them with a very neutral/soft pink plum lip liner, put on a sheer pink colored lip stain, and then coat the lips with a light layer of my favorite nectar gloss. I have done this look more than a hundred of times, and every time, it just works! I've had photographers even tell me "Wow, She looks just like she is going to the Oscars!"

If you do not wear much makeup at all on a regular basis, and never wear black liner, this look may be just a little too dark for you. I prefer to do this type of look on people that are use to seeing themselves with a bit of makeup, and feel very comfortable with black and gray eye shadows and liners. It's very important that brides don't look like a completely different person on their wedding day. You don't want your guesting thinking they have accidentally attended the wrong wedding:)

For brides that are getting married the morning or early afternoon, and don't usually wear much makeup, I would suggest doing a more bronze or soft pink with gold type of eye. The lips can stay more neutral or more glam, either way would look great. Natural, but fuller false lashes are also great. I love to do a tint of an olive green eyeshadow and a plum eyeliner and lip gloss. This look is really great for an outside wedding.