by ZOE FOSTER
I can’t see one good reason why we dames shouldn’t all have a quick, cheaty smoky eye trick up our sleeves. So, here’s mine, which I bring out when I am feeling lazy, rushed, or uninspired to do all of the layering and blending and fancy work that comes with proper smoked up eye makeup.
You’ll need a cream eye shadow, a powder eye shadow which is a few shades darker than your cream shadow, and a couple of brushes: a flat, cream shadow brush (you can use your finger but I strongly recommend the precision and lasting power a brush brings), a defining or liner brush, and a regular fluffy shadow brush for blending.
You may also need some Ovalteenies for nutrition and stamina.
Here is the end result:
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Zoe is an author, columnist and porridge fan. Her books include the beauty bible Amazing Face, dating and relationship guide Textbook Romance, and three novels, Air Kisses, Playing The Field and The Younger Man. Find more info on her here, or supervise on her daily procrastination here and here.
Please understand that Zoë cannot respond to ALL your questions – but never fear, there are readers that are bound to know the answers, so don’t be afraid to ask.
Do you have any tricks for doing a smoky eye?
Comments
61 Comments so far
I just tried this with a Cargo cream/powder duo i have – it’s brown, called brazil i think- so quick and easy. Love it
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Thanks so much for this post – I was amazed that it really did work, because I always feel like a drag queen when I try to do the smoky eye. It looks great and I’ve been playing with some darker colours for night-time. Yay!
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Gotta love Zoe!!!!
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Love your hair darker again Zoe.
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Hang on, wasn’t this a day time look when originally posted on Thursday?
Signed, Confused Eyes
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Zoe your hair and brows are so amazing I can’t even hide that I am so excited to see your tips every time you have a vid tutorial!
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Oh Zoe, you are just so stunning! Fantastically fabulous hair, loving the curls and the volume!
I have never been a fan of creme eyeshadows, but will have to look that Mac one up as it looks great, thank you!
xxx
Ps pretty sure Zoe’s nails are OPI Skull and Glossbones- she has talked before about loving the pale grey and it’s one of my all time favs too!
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Z – I usually roll my eyes when I see the “you’re so gorgeous” posts ( I’m flawed) but am jumping on board. You are totes gorgeous!!
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Love your videos Zoe, keep ‘em coming!
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Beautiful Zoe! What colours would you suggest for brown eyes? My smoky eye is improving thanks to you but I tend to do navy thoughts? I do love brown smoky on blue eyes.
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I wish I could pull off a smoky eye… But I end up just looking like a tramp!
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I used to be the same (black eye make up and a very pink undertone in my skin meant I looked like a haggard old woman on a bender) so I changed to browns and now I look amazing! Have you tried switching colours?
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I love your beauty posts, but now that I’m in my mid 40′s I feel I’ve been wearing my make-up the same way for 20ish years. I would love a post on age-appropriate make-up, like how much colour, can I still wear the bright lips I have always loved? etc etc
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Yes, I’d love a post about this topic too..
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Try this article from Zoe: http://www.mamamia.com.au/style/zoe-foster-tells-us-3-big-anti-ageing-makeup-tips/
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Zoe how long does your nail polish stay chip free and wearable? my max is 4 days at a push, and that’s with all the prep + a top coat ?
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My nail polish lasted 2 days at the most. Now I have the shellac and it lasts 2 weeks. This is fine for me as I don’t want to change my polish every couple of days.
Right now I am obsessed with white nails.
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OPI Chip Skip.
Put this on before the base coat. Polish should last a week or more.
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Stunning, as always! Your nails are the perfect neutrally/grey-ey/beigey shade that I’ve been looking for! What brand/shade are you wearing?
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I don’t know what Zoe has, but OPI’s ‘Tickle my Francy’ is the perfect neutral/beige/grey/mauve. My HG polish
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Another vote for Tickle My Francey – it’s perfect!
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I’d love to try this tonight but I don’t have any creme shadow… Any ideas? I was thinking maybe mixing some concealer and powder shadow? Would this work?
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Laura, I didn’t have a creme either, so I’m applying it for now with a powder eyeshadow, just using Zoe’s suggestions with the colours. It worked fine and will tide me over until I can get myself a creme version.
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I just blogged about the awesome MAC greasepaint stick that makes creating the smoky eye effect so much easier…check it out! http://mariamtys.wordpress.com/2012/06/29/mac-greasepaint-stick-the-best-eyeliner/
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Love it!!! Going to try this tonight! How simple, quick and easy and looks fantastic! Your hair looks amazing too! I adore your videos! Wish you did them every week :p
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DITTO on video request. Love the videos & much more likely to watch entire video than to read entire post!
xx
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Hair looks amazing !! Tutorial please!
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I’d say it would be fairly similar to the curling iron tutorial from a few months back!
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Alright, how did you do your hair?! Looks gorgeous!! Maybe a video to show us how?
Love your daytime smokey eye!! Thanks for showing us. Will be giving it a go.
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Hey thanks you guys! It’s my natural curl left to air dry, then I take to it with my curling tong and randomly curl sections all over for a few minutes to “encourage” my real curls to follow suite. Then I spray Redken wool shake on mid-lengths to ends and scccccrunch. Oh, and some Aveda hair potion on the scalp for volume.
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Thank you for the tips! SUCH good hairs. I have wool shake, but it makes me look like a straggly stray dog. Will keep practicing. Must achieve bouncy curls.
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Same here – wool shake / scraggy dog. what am I doing wrong???
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Thanks for letting us know!
Wool Shake hey? Will have to look into this one, not sure what it is. I’ve got sea salt sprays, mattifying dust and dry shampoo all thanks to you. Think I might need to hunt down some of your hair tutorials too. Got my face sorted, on to the hair.
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Is your engagement ring on your right hand ? I’m wearing mine on my right hand as I have a dutch background. I’m interested to hear why other people do it too ? Love the smoky eye as well!
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I also wondered that but I think it’s a mirror reflection! Assuming the brush she’s using is in her right hand, I think that’s the rock Hamish got her. A darn sight better than the rock they shared on Twitter!!
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Oh….didn’t think of that!
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I think Zoe must film on her MacBook – Mac PhotoBooth is mirror image.
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Lauren, you nailed it. It’s all down to the Photobooth flip.
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Oh Zoe! This is why I heart you. Having read Amazing Face about 3 billion times, I do the windscreen wiper and it just makes my daytime smokey look so darn polished and clean. It’s my go to look now with a pretty pink blush, a touch of illuminator and a pinky/ nude mac lip glass.
Great job as usual!
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Your hair look gorgeous!!
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I haven’t even been able to watch the video yet as I am at work, but Zoe, your hair looks AMAZING!!! Jealous.
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Was just about to write the exact same thing.
LOVE the hair.
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Oh-that ring! I kept getting distracted!!!
Brown never really works for me-I think my skin is the wrong shade-a bit yellow toned or something, as it makes me look unwell or punched…
Neither are great looks…
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Same!!! No matter how many different times I try, I always look like I’ve been bashed or I’m laying in my coffin!
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Me to. The curses of being uber pale
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yay! awesome video, im gonna try this out today.
quick question, im on the hunt for a new lash curler, are the standard cheap-o manicare ones ok or is there some fancy brand that actually does a way better job? dont really wanna put in any more money than i have to if the result is the same.
thanks!
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For what it’s worth, I was on the quest recently for the ‘best’ eyelash curler. Google searching kept coming up with the same brand, Shu Eumura so I took the plunge & bought myself a set off eBay (make sure it’s authentic because there are copies about – cost me about $30) – and they really are fantastic, very pleased with them. They look just like any others but feel quite different when you use them and you don’t need to press hard, just hold the eyelashes and they curl beautifully. Zoe might have another opinion but for what it’s worth, I thought I’d have my 2 bob’s worth!
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Shu Eumura def the best
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Ditto!
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I am useless with the lash curlers so I bought a 1000 hour heated one and I love it. It is so easy and no clamping. Wipes clean on a baby wipe.
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Ugh you make it look so easy Zoe, I just have weird shaped eyes or something (i have more visible eyelid when my eyes are open) cos every time I attempt anything remotely smoke I look like I’ve been punched in the eye. Think I need to invest in some better brushes. Love your videos though, always inspiring. Thanks.
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LOVE your nail polish colour!! What brand is it/It’s name??
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Lovely Zoe, for us dames at work and unable to watch the video, can you list the product brands you recommend? Thanks
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The cream one was a Mac paintbox (?) one. The powder was from a Bobbi Brown palette. She said just use what you’ve got though.
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I’d love to know the colour of the Mac cream shadow too. Is a really nice colour.
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Zoe mentioned that it was the Mac Paintpot in ‘Constructivist’.
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She said it was ‘Constructivist’ paint pot which is very cool toned. ‘Groundwork’ paint pot would be good if you were doing a warmer look
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Thanks ladies, was watching at work and had it turned down low, so didn’t hear.
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Haha I do this too because I can’t wait until I get home!! And then I just rewatch at home so I can actually hear….
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Thanks to all the sweet MM commentators who answered my original question re: products Zoe used! On way home now, can’t wait to watch the video! What must my makeup of looked like before Zoe lol
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