{beauty board} the smoky eye

One of the most iconic beauty looks; one that has spanned complete eras {hello, it was a Brigitte Bardot trademark}, is something that I will never tire of: the smoky eye. It's seasonless {appearing on red carpets and runways year-round}; it's adaptable {I personally wear it day or night using a different color palette to fit the occasion}; and it embodies what I like to refer to as the triple s: sexy, smoldering, smart. It's also simple to create {not daunting or difficult as they'd like you to believe}; provided you have the right tools. Here, 5 of my favorite products for creating a sassy and simple smoky eye:

ONE: Too Faced SMOKEY EYE {$36.00} TWO: Maybelline in BLACK SMOKE {$6.99} THREE: mark SMOKEY {$16.00} FOUR: Rimmel London in BLACK CAB {$5.99} FIVE: NYX Smokey Eye {$7.00}

Too Faced palettes are fab because they always include a trio of how-to cards that provide you with step-by-step instruction for creating glam looks for any occasion. Their Smokey Eye Shadow Collection is no different. Choose your desired look - Classic, Day, or Fashion; follow the steps, and your golden {or should I say smoky}. Love the look, but not the fuss? Maybelline's Eye Studio Master Smoky Shadow Pencil in Black Smoke is your must. Draw a thick line on your eyelid {near the lashline, of course} with the pencil side, then flip it over and use the smudger to blend. Want a different-colored smoky eye? The Eye Studio Master Smoky Shadow Pencil is also available in Emerald Fury, Blue Blaze, Smoldering Violet, Scorching Brown, and Smoking Charcoal.

If metallic finishes and a lot of color options are your thing look no further than mark's On the Dot Smokey Eye Color Compact. At $16.00 it's insanely affordable; and the pigmentation is incredible {this is one of my personal faves!}. Kristen Stewart got me hooked on the metallic silver / charcoal smoky eye, and Rimmel London's Glam Eyes HD Eye Shadow Palette in Black Cab is the quad I use to create it. The back of the packaging includes a tutorial on where to place each of the 4 shades {which range from a silver shimmer to a charcoal black}, so you don't feel lost when applying; plus the color payoff is fantastic. Highly recommended if you want a super affordable option.

NYX's The Smokey Eyeshadow Palette is an awesome choice if you: a} want a palette that can be used for smoky eye or natural eye looks; or b} don't want to spend a lot of money. The formula of the shadows in this palette is very buildable, and the six colors included are sleek and sultry. If you feel overwhelmed by the concept of smoky eyes, I definitely recommend this palette as it allows room for experimentation from subtle to smoky at a great pricepoint.

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xx

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