Creating the Desired and Dramatic Smoky Eye

How to create that sultry, seductive look using only MAC Cosmetics products.

For as long as I can remember, I have admired the infamous brand that is MAC Cosmetics. Over recent years the company has expanded and grown to be a statement within Newcastle's Make-Up community. With several counters distributed over the region, us northerners would go crackers to grab every lipstick shade possible! Collabs with the likes of Mariah Carey, Miley Cyrus and even Disney hit Cinderella, it's easy to decipher MAC's rise to success.

If you choose to visit any MAC counter in the region, you will no doubt meet some of the most finely painted faces in the North East. When I recently visited, I spoke to several of the artists in store, who I questioned about this season's musts in the industry, and all suggestions pointed to one thing; the smoky-eye. The smoky-eye is a recurring trend that arises almost every fall/winter, and it is a statement look for those wanting to make an impact.

If you're daring enough to create a smoky-eye within your look, the you will require technique and a strong arm for all that blending you're about to do! Today, I'm gonna simplify it down, just for you, and show you how to succeed in achieving your smoky-eye. And...to make your life even easier, I'm using just MAC Cosmetics products, all available at any north-east counter!

1.) Prepare the skin using Natural Radiance Prep+Prime (£29.50) to balance uneven skin tone, and create a layer between your skin and your foundation. Next, apply Studio Fix Fluid (£22) for a full coverage, matte finish, guaranteed to focus all attention onto your eye-look.

2.) Using Pro Longwear Paint Pot (£16) in a shade that matches your particular skin tone, prime the eyelid, setting with a neutral shadow to prevent creasing. I've chosen to use Amber Times Nine Eyeshadow Palette (£25) in this particular look, but you can customise your shadows to suit the tone and colour smoky-eye you desire.

3.) I firstly used a 217 Brush (£20)to blend the shade Cozy Grey into the crease, creating a transition shade to help your shadows blend together. From here, I used Cork to darken the crease, blending this out to build the initial smokes. Using a 228 Brush (£16.50) , I placed Aromatic quite harshly into the crease, smoking it out with my 217. To add that dark dramatic look, I placed the palette's darkest shade, Pepper Please all over my lid with my fingertip. This maintained the pigment and added a slight shimmer to my smoky-eye

4.) Using Brow Sculpt (£16), create a harsh, dark brow by using pressured strokes, so that the brows balance out your dramatic eye-look. Using, Pro Longer Concealer (£18), cover any potential blemishes or redness on the face, whilst also targeting any fall-out from the shadows, in order to ensure a clean look. Set this with Studio Fix Perfecting Powder (£21).

5.) Use Peaches Powder Blush (£18.50) to create a subtle warmth to the skin, and apply Refined Gold Bronzing Powder (£22) in the hollow of the cheekbones to create dimension in the face and allow your cheek bones to pop.

6.) To ensure all eyes are on the eyes, take Oak Lip Pencil (£10) to outline the lip, and use Peachstock Lipstick (£15) to create the ultimate nude lip! Finally, add some of the famous Soft and Gentle Mineralize Skinfinish (£24) to add that desire glow and voila! You did it!