Black & Gold 3D Smokey Eye

A black smokey eye is such a staple look to have in your arsenal, but NYE requires something a bit more special than that. If you're searching for a way to take your look up a notch, a 3D smokey eye is a really easy way to do so. As complex as it may look, you can actually slap this together when you're in a rush. By using multiple colors and textures in a very circular placement, you create more interest to such a standard look, creating the illusion that your eyes are much larger. Plus...adding a little sparkle for New Years never hurt anyone anyways.


Tutorial

♥ Click To Enlarge ♥

1♥ After I've primed my lids with the Lorac Behind The Scenes Eye Primer, I laid down another base, this time to intensify the eyeshadows I would be using later. I applied the Inglot Gel Liner # 77 to the inner and outer corners of my eye with a small flat synthetic brush, making sure not to take it all the way up to the crease as this can cause issues with blending. Then, I cleaned off the excess product from the brush and smudged the black base inwards, leaving a small blank space at the center.

2♥ With a larger synthetic brush, I applied Make Up For Ever Artist Shadow in S-102 (black) directly over the black base. This time I take the color up into the crease, but I still leave the center blank.

3♥ I'm doing things in a different order than I normally would. In most tutorials, I start with my transition shades and work my way down to the lid. Today, I'm doing the opposite and working upwards. So with a small blending brush, I used windshield wiper and circular motions to blend out the edges of the black shadow into the crease with Mac Brown Script Eyeshadow (warm dark reddy brown). If the eyeshadow on the lid fades too much, you can always pat some back on.

4♥ Now to apply the "transition" shade, which will blend this dark brown color better into the skin. With a larger blending brush, sweep Make Up For Ever Artist Shadow in M-660 (camel tan) through the brow bone and over the edges of Brown Script.

5♥ Next, I move on to my favorite portion of this tutorial--the pop of gold. With a dampened flat synthetic brush, I applied Kat Von D Metal Crush Eyeshadow in Thrasher (old gold shade with green undertones) to the center of the lid. As I moved outwards from the center, I used patting motions instead of sweeping or swiping since I wanted there to be a gradual blend from gold to black. If the black became too faded, I applied a bit more with a small, more precise detail brush.

♥ Click To Enlarge ♥

6♥ To lighten up the color as well as add a lot more sparkle, I applied Stila Magnificent Metals Foil Finish Eye Shadow in Metallic Pixie Dust (light champagne with gold and green reflects throughout). I patted it on dry with my finger directly on top of Thrasher. Adding glitter or sparkle of any kind really intensifies this 3D effect that I'm going for.

7♥ Then, I applied my winged eyeliner as usual. I made mine a medium thickness--not too thick, not too thin. I still wanted it to be dramatic, but I didn't want it to overpower the eyeshadow on the lid. To do this I used the Milani Eye Tech Extreme Liquid Eye Liner in Blackest Black. After applying the eyeliner, I felt I needed to adjust the black eyeshadow, so with the small detail brush I applied more of it to the inner and outer corners to even it out.

8♥ The trick to 3D smokey eyes, is the create a similar effect to the lower lash line. This gives the eye a more rounded effect. First, I applied the Inglot Gel Liner to the waterline and slightly onto the lower lash line with an angled eyeliner brush. Then, I smudged that out with a pencil brush and the black eyeshadow. Finally, to eliminate any harsh lines, I blended out the black with Brown Script and an angled shader brush.

9♥ To create the pop on the center of the lower lash line, I followed the same steps as I did on the lid. With a small, dampened detail brush, I applied Thrasher and then patted on Metallic Pixie Dust.

10♥ Apply finishing touches. For falsies, I used the House of Lashes "Smokey Muse" lashes.

Face Deets

♥Foundation - Maybelline Fit Me Matte + Poreless

♥Concealer - LA Girl Pro Conceal

♥Brows - Nyx Micro Brow Pencil in Taupe

♥Bronzer - Urban Decay Naked Skin Ultra Definition Pressed Finishing Powder in Naked Dark

♥Blush - Tarte Amazonian Clay Blush in Glisten

♥Highlight - Sephora Radiant Luminizing Drops in Ultralight topped with Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector Pressed in Opal

♥Lips - RK by Kiss Matte Lipstick in Bare Nude topped with Maybelline Color Elixir Gloss in Nude Illusion

XO♥