The Easy Bronze Smokey Eye

It's official - I'm an eyeshadow girl again. The last time I wore eyeshadow on a daily basis was in my "just discovered YouTube and holy moly MAC is amazing and even though I'm fifteen years old I'll spend every penny I've got on 'Tempting' and 'Woodwinked'" phase, then in my later teens my love for it kinda fizzled out. As someone who's oily lids practically dissolve shadow after twenty minutes, it's something I couldn't be bothered with and my once well-loved palettes sat gathering dust in a drawer.

That is, until, I bought the Maybelline Color Tattoo in 'On & On Bronze' ('Bad to the Bronze' in other parts of zee world!) which revolutionised the way I looked at eyeshadow. For someone who's very into makeup you'd have thought I'd have known the importance of a good base, wouldn't you? The cream/gel formula dries down pretty speedily so you've got to be quick with the old Deluxe Crease brush to blend out those edges, but then it simply doesn't budge. If you're after a colourless base I also fell in love with the Urban Decay Primer Potion this year, but for this particular look I adore the smudgy chocolate hue that 'On & On Bronze' gives. You don't have to worry about being too neat, either!

Then I grab any dark brown shimmery eyeshadow - special mentions go to 'Darkhorse' from the Urban Decay Naked Palette or 'Golden Brown' from the Collection Eyes Uncovered in 'Nude Bronze' - and place it on the outer corners. The next step is smudging eyeshadow along my lower lashline is my favourite as I feel like it really transforms the look, and for this I really like using MAC 'Woodwinked' or 'Bookworm' from the Tanya Burr Cosmetics Hollywood Palette. You could also use your dark brown shadow mixed with your bronzer - anything that's going to give a warm effect. To bring everything together and complete the eyes I tightline my upper lashline and apply a shedload of black mascara to add definition. 

I've firmly put this look in my 'go-to file' as whilst it only takes a few minutes it gives maximum impact and looks fantastic on camera, as well as suiting any skintone with any eye colour. I usually pair it with very neutral makeup - a tawny blush like NARS Douceur and a nude gloss like Fleur De Force Lipgloss in 'Written in the Stars'. Et voilá!

P.S. My gorgeous watch is the Abbott Lyon Kensington Black Gator, and you can get £25 off any order using the code NY25.