Even though I'm a beauty editor, "going out makeup" has never been my strength. Whether I'm getting ready for a wedding or a fun dinner with my girlfriends, I always ask myself the same question: "Should I wear a smoky eye or a bright lip?" And since my husband finds lipstick repulsive, the answer is almost always the smoky eye.
While I have dozens of eyeshadow colors in my makeup kit, the only ones I ever make a dent in are blacks and grays. I start with black along my lashline, medium gray in the crease, and pale gray closest to my brows -- and if I'm feeling particularly adventurous, I'll throw on some falsies. Sure, it gets the job done, but I've decided it's finally time to try something new.
This spring, makeup is all about eyes -- and the trends range from bold and colorful to easy and minimalist. I talked to some of my favorite makeup artists and asked them which looks they think the bored, smoky-eye wearers (like me) should try this season. Each of the experts started with the same advice: "Try a smoky look in shades of purple or green." But I wanted more -- and they came up with some amazing suggestions. Now, instead of the "smoky eye or bright lip?" question, I'll be asking myself: "Which of these seven looks should I try tonight?"
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Ombré eyes
Like most of us, celebrity makeup artist Sarah Lucero is excited about bright colors this spring. "It's the prefect time of year to experiment," she says. Once you choose your shade, she suggests trying an ombré look -- where the color is most concentrated near the lashline and then gradually fades as it reaches your brows.
Backstage at the Spring 2012 Alice & Olivia presentation she created the look with a teal shade and then topped it off with lots of lashes. To get the glossy effect she wanted, she painted Stila Sparkle Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner in Electric, $22, all over the lid.
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A swatch of color
Makeup artist Emily Kate Warren is feeling inspired by the Fall 2012 Donna Karan show. "They used unexpected red," she says. "But you can use any color." She suggests starting with an opaque shadow and then applying it with your finger in a single swipe. To make the look modern, keep the rest of your face clean, she says. "This works especially well if you're wearing something black or graphic."
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Marilyn Monroe cat-eye
Even though Michelle Williams didn't take home the golden statue, "My Week with Marilyn" continues to resonate in fashion and beauty circles. "I'm loving that 1960's Marilyn Monroe cat-eye," says celebrity makeup artist Scott Barnes. "It's going to be a huge trend." He suggests a sweep of Chanel Ecriture de Chanel Automatic Liquid Eyeliner, $34, followed by L'Oreal Voluminous Million Lashes Mascara, $7.99. And if that's still not enough, he recommends adding false lashes for drama.
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Big brows
Thick arches have been popular for the last few years, but just like the cat-eye, this look is having a '60s moment. (More than one makeup artist we spoke with cited Elizabeth Taylor as the icon.) If your brows are already full, remember that the rest of your eye makeup needs to work with them, not against them. "You don't want to close up the eye," warns Barnes. "Use less shadow -- and keep your liner close to the lashline." Above all, he stresses that brows should be groomed -- brow gel is a must.
Even though I'm a beauty editor, "going out makeup" has never been my strength. Whether I'm getting ready for a wedding or a fun dinner with my girlfriends, I always ask myself the same question: "Should I wear a smoky eye or a bright lip?" And since my husband finds lipstick repulsive, the answer is almost always the smoky eye.
While I have dozens of eyeshadow colors in my makeup kit, the only ones I ever make a dent in are blacks and grays. I start with black along my lashline, medium gray in the crease, and pale gray closest to my brows -- and if I'm feeling particularly adventurous, I'll throw on some falsies. Sure, it gets the job done, but I've decided it's finally time to try something new.
This spring, makeup is all about eyes -- and the trends range from bold and colorful to easy and minimalist. I talked to some of my favorite makeup artists and asked them which looks they think the bored, smoky-eye wearers (like me) should try this season. Each of the experts started with the same advice: "Try a smoky look in shades of purple or green." But I wanted more -- and they came up with some amazing suggestions. Now, instead of the "smoky eye or bright lip?" question, I'll be asking myself: "Which of these seven looks should I try tonight?"
