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Refinery29
  • 50 minutes ago
No disrespect to black eyeliner, but when it's your go-to staple for snazzing up your look, it's easy to get a bit bored by your millionth liquid-liner cat-eye flick.

So, how do you add intrigue to your eyes without going back to black? With a flattering, jewel-toned shadow look that will complement your eye color. In our latest installment of Macro Makeovers, we test-drove an updated hazy gaze on Nell. Here, we show you the easiest ways to pull off the neutral smoky eye — and we'll be getting up close and personal with each step.

Nell has light, multi-tonal eyes, which makes this shimmering amethyst shade clutch for her. First, we swept on a cream hue, and then set it with a powder shadow. To finish things off and make her eyes pop even more, we smudged a kohl pencil around her lashline. The result was a stellar smoky eye she can wear day or night.

Feeling inspired? Watch the video above for the full blow-by-blow: You may find a new classic.
Transcript
00:00Time to make magic!
00:01We're going to complement Nell's green kaleidoscope eyes with a dual tone.
00:08Prep your lid with some cream primer to help the color stay put all day long.
00:11Apply a warm amethyst cream shadow across the lid.
00:14Spread it up with your finger or a flat brush.
00:17See how this beautiful wash of color enhances the green tones.
00:20For extra contrast, apply the same cream shadow under the bottom lash, creating a cohesive
00:25look.
00:25Layer an identically colored powdered shadow on the lid and on the lower lash line for
00:30more punch.
00:30Blend as you go.
00:32Pump up the contrast even more with a dark plum pencil along your bottom water line.
00:36This gives the illusion of a thicker lash.
00:38Blend the pencil to soften the line.
00:40Do the same on top.
00:41Finalize the look with mascara.
00:42Brush back through your lashes to separate clumps.
00:45With this great day to night look, you'll always look like a gem.