Quick & Easy Everyday Smokey Eye Tutorial

If you're a mom you'll agree that time is something we do not have and cannot spare, but since I'm completely superficial and shallow, a portion -- albeit small -- of my time must be devoted to making up my face. Some people look good with just lipstick or foundation, but for me it's the eyeliner. If I don't have eye makeup on I look like Casper the friendly ghost, and not in the cute way. Anyway, read on for a quick and easy look.

Step 1: Apply SPF. Sun protection is very important.

Step 2: Use concealer to quickly cover up any problem areas; for me, it's around my nose, on my chin, the top of my nose and under my eyes. Use fingers to blend.

Step 3: Apply eye primer.

Step 4: Apply eye makeup.

Look at me! No makeup! ... not entirely. I have permanent eyeliner tattooed on my lower lashes. The experience was extremely painful and I remember almost wetting myself during the process. Would I do it again? Yes. Would I ever do the top lashes? No. I only did the bottom because my eyes were so watery and eyeliner always smudged on me.

Using an angle brush, line your brows with brow powder. I use the NYX Eyebrow Cake Powder in Taupe.

Use a brow pencil and gently feather out the shape you like. I use the Shiseido Eyebrow Pencil in Natural Black. I usually just follow the natural curve of my brows. If you have time, you can use a spoolie to further blend out the colour for a softer look.

Using a brush, gently pat your favourite metallic grey-purple shadow all over lid. I'm not sure what the name of the shadow I'm using is, but it's from the NYX Butt Naked Palette. 

Using the same brush or another brush (whatever you want!), deepen your crease and the outer V with a darker grey or brown shadow. Here I'm using a dark brown shadow from the NYX Butt Naked Palette. Blend with your fingers if you find there are hard lines.

Line your upper lash line. I'm using the L'Oreal Extra-Intense Liquid Pencil Eyeliner in Charcoal. 

Using a pencil brush, smudge out the liner. For a smokier look, you can pickup a little more of the dark brown shadow on your brush and smudge it into the line.

Line your lower lashes with a waterproof metallic liner. I like the Urban Decay Shadow Liner in Mushroom. 

I like to further smudge a dark brown liner on the lower lashes. It makes my eyes look bigger and brighter. What's the point of permanent makeup if I'm just going to use eyeliner anyway? It was great for the first few years (I had it done in University) but it faded over the years. Oh well! ... If you have time, you can add a highlighter underneath your brow and to the corner of your eyes. 

Curl your lashes and you're done! I'm not wearing mascara here, but if you have time, go for it!