Nailing a ‘smokey eye’ look is no easy task.
A task I’m not willing to risk dabbling with and getting wrong (which I’ve admittedly done before).
My previous attempts of washing a jet black shadow over my big eyes had me looking (unceremoniously) more like a sleep-deprived owl (cute, but scary) and less ‘sexy and mysterious’ like the runway beauty looks I was trying to achieve.
However, when the Huda Beauty Grunge palette landed on my desk, I had never wanted to attempt a smokey eye (again) more.
But I know my strengths. And using eyeshadow palettes is not one of them. I find them as intimidating as opening my superannuation letters.
So I did what any good beauty editor would do, enlisted the help of a professional makeup artist.
And lucky for me, I happen to know many!
Including Melbourne-based makeup artist @meganharrisonmakeup who I immediately called and said, “Can you please do an easy, fun smokey eye look with this amazing Huda Beauty eyeshadow palette?”
Keep scrolling to see the shades she used to bring this look to life (plus, some more ‘after dark’ essentials to keep in mind for evening occasions).
How to Do Smokey Eye Beginners.
I’m sick of the traditional smokey eye look, I prefer something that’s more playful and fun.
Especially for special after dark occasions like date night, weddings, or pretending to look confused in the long-life milk aisle on my late night grocery shop.
So how was I going to do this look on my own without having a professional makeup artist on speed dial?
I certainly don't have the wizardry blending powers of professional makeup artists, so I asked Megan to send me a short, easy-to-understand text on all the shades she used and in what order.
Here is her quick and easy step-by-step smokey eye tutorial using the Huda Beauty Grunge palette:
Step 1: "Use shade ‘Brave’ all over first and up into the crease."
Step 2: "Then ‘Fearless’ all over the outer corner and underneath, winging out."
Step 3: " 'Nirvana’ along the outer 3rd of upper and lower lash line, blended out."
Step 4: ‘"Apply shade 'Grunge’ as liner (it has a creamy texture) and ‘Renegade’ over the top of the liner to set."
Step 5: "Finally, ‘Rebelle’ pressed softly over the centre of the lid!"
See? Easy peasy!
When Megan first suggested purple glitter on my lids, my reply was “I haven't worn purple glitter since the ‘90s."
But the end result was an almost ombre-effect smokey eye that I couldn't stop taking selfies of.
*It needed to be immortalised for my grandkids to show them how cool I used to be (or for the days I wake up and choose: IDGAF and need a confidence boost).
