Bright-n-Smoky with Kevin James Bennett for Kryolan

Let’s face facts, I’m a makeup junkie (to the core) and I’m in cosmetic nirvana because the trends for Fall/Winter 2012 are not just a re-boot of the same old “natural” look.
I’ve created these 3 looks with a distinctly fashion forward edge but retained a modern elegance by careful editing and specific placement. These are not looks for the cosmetically faint of heart. But if you’re ready to break free from the boredom of a natural look – this is your golden ticket to some highly fashionable makeup magic.

I’m going to share his fabulous modern take on the Smoky eye look with you. Would you dare wear this look? I would!

Bright-n-Smoky

The typical “smoky eye” becomes a modern, color saturated focal point of unexpected elegance

by layering tones of blue and tempering them with a wash of metallic as a finishing touch.

• Step 1. With a small fluff brush, apply a dynamic cool matte sky blue shadow to the entire eye lid, blended into the crease and continued under the lower eyelash line.
• Step 2. On the outer third of the lid and in the eye crease, blend a cool, midnight blue
• toward the center of the eye until it disappears into the lighter blue eye shadow. Step 3. To intensify the pop of color and introduce the metallic effect, apply a translucent layer of shimmering teal pigment, distributed delicately with a brush over the entire shadowed area and below the eye along the lash line.
• Step 4. Define with a cream liner in black along the upper eyelashes and along the waterline of the lower eyelid.
• Step 5. Apply at least 2 coats of mascara to upper lashes and one coat to lower eyelashes. A set of flirty false lashes can be added to the upper lashes to create even more drama but are not obligatory.
• Step 6. Blend a soft peachy blush with powder bronzer to add depth and warmth to the face that will contrast with the cool blue tones on the eyes.
• Step 7. Shape and define lips with a nude pencil a few shades deeper than your natural lip color.
• Step 8. Finish with a high shine gloss tinted a sheer rosy shade to amplify the lips natural color.

I am a big fan of adding colour to a smoky eye. I think it gives it a bit of an edge over the traditional tones of grey or even brown.  If you want a lazy version of the blue smoky eye look for when you’re in a rush check out this look featuring the L’Oreal Infallible Eyeshadow in All Night Blue. I have really been thinking of picking up the new Urban Decay Smoked palette for a variety of options for the colourful smoky eye but I keep thinking I could likely make due with the shades I already have in my collection. Look at me trying to be practical! I’m still undecided. Have you picked it up?

You can find out more about Kevin James Bennett on his website.

Source credit: Kevin James (KJ) Bennett
Photo credit: Kryolan