Permanently Beautiful

The sensual Smoky Eyes that super model Heidi Klum shows off to such spectacular effect are the ultimate in dramatic eye makeup. Softly smudged shadows surround and feather out from the eyes, creating dramatic depth and making it seem that your eyes truly are the window to your romantic soul. It’s a look meant for romantic, candlelit dinners in exotic restaurants or red carpet nights dancing at the hottest new club. But it’s not an easy look to achieve. Start with too thick a line of eyeliner or get a little heavy-handed with the eye shadow and you have raccoon eyes, disaster unless you’re going Goth to a midnight showing of Rocky Horror.

Here’s how to create Smoky Eyes without the raccoon effect. Start with a very fine line of black eyeliner. For perfectly outlined eyes every time, consider permanent makeup eyeliner. Thicken the line slightly at the middle of the eye to create depth. Don’t use black for the eye shadow. Runway makeup artist Linda Hay creates Heidi’s smoky eyes using soft gray or chocolate shadows. Dark greens also work, but avoid blue shadows. Choose two shades of the same color, a dark and a lighter, neutral tone. Sweep the darkest shade from your lash line to the eyelid crease. Apply the lighter tone from the crease to the brow bone. With a cotton swab, stroke gray or medium-dark brown shadow under your lower lash line. Finish with three coats of black volumizing mascara on the top lashes only.