create the latest looks

We'll be giving you hints and tips on how you can create the latest fashion looks.

Our look for April is:

How to Create a Sexy Smokey Eye

by Lesley Wilks

Step 1
I prepared the skin using Espa protective serum. Applying a cream eye base or foundation to the entire eye area, using a flat brush, this will even out any imperfections and provide a blank canvas to work from. (At this stage I wouldn’t apply foundation if doing Smokey eyes as you may find shadow particles fall and are hard to remove after)

Step 2
Use a concealer to erase any unwanted blemishes and dark areas (such as under the eyes), this prepares the face ready to start creating your look.

Step 3
Using a dark eye brow pencil, pencil in the brows to create a strong eyebrow shape, use light upward strokes (an alternative is to have the HD brow service in salon £30). This will give an instant eyelift and frame the eye (This is essential for this look).

Step 4
I applied a vanilla iridescent eye shadow to highlight the outer area of the eyebrow, this will accentuate the brow bone and give a clean look . (Do not use on the full area of the brow just under the arch).

Step 5
Support the eyelid and stretch up whilst applying cream black eyeliner using a flat brush along the lash line, do this in a triangle section. Make sure to take it up in the corner so you don’t get a droopy eye effect. This acts as a great base for the eye shadow to stick and will give a long lasting result where the shadow won’t disappear.

Step 6
Using a blending brush, blend from the outside corners working inwards, use gentle brush strokes. Blending is one of the most important stages (don’t worry if any loose powder falls on to the skin we can clean this away hence not applying foundation yet).

Step 7
Use a flat brush to pat on a dark grey shadow or dark colour of your choice on to the blended area. This will ensure the colour lasts. Layering colour is key to a lasting result. Lightly blend into the eye socket area using the blending brush.

Step 8
Taking a slightly lighter colour (I used a heather colour) fill in the area from under the brow bone to the eye socket, make sure you blend lightly.

Step 9
Apply the cream liner under the eye using a liner brush and then go over same area and slightly smudge using the dark shadow. This creates a lovely smokey look!

Step 10
Finish with a black kohl pencil apply to the waterline and finish with 2 coats of mascara. I then applied the foundation and a hint of blusher to the cheeks, a red lip pencil was applied to line the lips then filled in giving a good base for the red gloss to stick to.

For a personal make up lesson or application with Lesley please call the salon.