1. LORAC PRO To-Go Eye and Cheek Palette, $38
2. Too Faced Pretty Rebel Eyeshadow Palette, $46
3. Bobbi Brown Rich Chocolate Eye Palette, $52
4. Urban Decay Naked Basics Palette, $27
5. Benefit Cosmetics World Famous Neutrals in “Most Glamorous Nudes Ever,” $30
6. Revlon CustomEyes Shadow and Liner in “Naturally Glamorous,” $9
There’s nothing like a beautiful brown smoky eye to bring in the fall season. Warm and cool shades of brown give every eye color a unique shape and dimension. These are a few of my favorite palettes (some of which I own, and others I lust for) that supply various brown shades to play up your look, whether you’re going to history class or out for a night at Pot’s.
For a simple and natural daytime look, pat a bright champagne color to the lid and to the brow bone for a highlight with a shader brush. Using a tapered blending brush, dip into a light brown shade and find that natural nook in your eye where the bottom of your brow bone and the top of your eye meet. Blend for a seamless, sculpted eye. Smudge a darker brown shadow along your upper or lower lash line for more definition.
For a nighttime look, using the same method, substitute the bright champagne for a light brown color all over the lid. Take a dark brown color and apply it to the crease. To add some intensity, take a pencil brush and create a v-shape on the outer half of your eye with a black shadow. Blend everything out completely to avoid harsh lines and to create a smoldering look. For a bright-eyed effect, add a bright shimmery champagne color to the inner corners of the eye.
Something I personally like to do before working with powder eye shadows is to use a cream shadow as a base. It locks eye shadows in place to prevent creasing, applies them smoother and enhances their pigmentation. I recommend the Maybelline Color Tattoos in Barely Branded (a shimmering champagne) and Bad to the Bronze (a warm golden brown). You can get these at the drugstore for only $5.
1. NYX “The Curve” Liquid Liner, $15
2. Stila High Shine Liquid Vinyl Eye Liner, $22
3. Maybelline Eye Studio Master Duo Glossy Liquid Liner, $8
Thick black cat eyes are quintessential for those of you who are more playful and edgy. I think liquid liner is your best bet for this look, mainly because it is easier to create such a precise line with a pen, rather than a pencil or brush for gel liner. “The Curve” liquid liner by NYX is a new, innovative way to create perfect lines for those who struggle with getting that even layer of liner across both eyelids. The Stila High Shine Liquid Vinyl liner is a brand new product this fall, and is marketed to create a shiny, black patent effect across your lids with ultra-awesome staying power. The thin brush lets you draw fine, long strokes with easy application. This way, you can control how thick of a layer you want on each eye. The Maybelline Master Duo may be the cheapest way to go, but nonetheless it also has a unique brush to create your ideal line with the little ball- shaped tip.
Wear a thin cat eye or slightly winged liner with a coat of mascara for an easy daytime look. You’ll be surprised at how much of a difference the winged liner looks with a simple sweater, jeans, and scarf. For the ultimate nighttime look, create a bold cat eye along with some volumizing mascara to open up your eyes and keep a balanced, yet polished look.
Stay tuned for “Part 2” of my official guide to fall beauty trends, featuring rosy cheeks and dark lips!