Say what you will about my mom, but the woman is always nicely put together. She gets her hair done regularly (I may not like the style, but she does get it done), dresses impeccably (and, I may add, in a smaller size than mine – damn) and she always, always wears makeup. My mom is one of those women who wear makeup every day, no matter whether they are going to work, run errands, go out to dinner, or stay home for a quiet Sunday.
So I started experimenting with makeup when I was pretty young, and eventually the pupil surpassed the master, when I mastered the perfect “Cleopatra eye” with liquid eye liner. My mom never managed.
Just like that, except without the blue and yellow eyeshadow. And the fake eyelashes. And the whole costumey thing. So basically, just *kind of* like that.
Of course makeup trends come and go, so I since experimented with different looks – and in the past couple of years I have been semi-obsessed with perfecting the smokey eye in all its forms, be it the classic dark and dramatic, or a more “day” version using browns, or a more glamourous and modern version in purple … love them all. So I watched tutorials, read explanations, even had a very unhelpful Sephora girl show me (she only did one eye, the cow.) And then I happened upon a video from MissChievous, who vlogs about new makeup products and makeup techniques.
When she mentioned cream liner and I saw how she used it, I felt like there was a huge DUH button on my forehead. So when I found a fabulous special edition cream liner by Clinique at Manor (which is kind of like a Swiss Nordstrom) during the Holidays, I couldn’t resit. The color was Violet Luxe – and since I am incapable of resisting anything when it comes in purple, I bought it. (It was surprisingly affordable for Switzerland, $32.)
Once you throw away the tiny little brush provided, which is quite useless, and opt to use a cream eye liner brush (or like me, an angled liner brush) it’s… simply awesome. It’s super-easy to smudge and blend, making it the ideal choice for the smokey eye look, no matter if you want to go subtle or glamourous.
The fabulous Violet Luxe was a Limited Holiday Edition, so I don’t know where you might be able to find it – but the Clinique Brush-On Cream Liner always comes in True Black, Deep Brown, Smoke Grey and Black Honey (a warm brown), and you can get it at a much more affordable $14.50 anywhere there’s a Clinique counter, and online at Dillard’s, Macy’s, Nordstrom, Sephora, and of course on the Clinique website.
Only one caveat to this fabulousness: if you wear contact lenses, be careful not to apply too much on the inner rim of the eye, or it will fog up your contacts.
Other than that… go forth and be gorgeous! And while you’re at it, check out one of the video tutorials by MissChievous:
{ 16 comments… read them below or add one }
you’ll have to show us a picture of your eyes all done up!! Clinique is excellent, all around.
.-= Lindsey´s last blog ..NO SMOKING =-.
I just can not seem to perfect the smokey eye. Been trying for years. Watching that, I just might be able to finally get a handle on it. Thanks!
And, I LOVE Clinique liner! LOVE IT!
.-= HaB´s last blog .."Little A _ _ holes" =-.
Weird, right before I came here, I finished writing up a bit for my smokey eye fail and set it to post later today. *I think I need to go back and add a new link
) Although, I’m not sure it’s technically a fail. If you looked at my closed eye, it looks pretty good. The fail was that I didn’t take into account the shape of my eyelid and that it doesn’t really lend itself to showing off eye makeup. Talk about a DUH moment! HAHA!
.-= Cranky Sarah´s last blog ..I’m sorry Hubs – sort of =-.
omg, I’m such a make up newbie. lmfao putting on blue, pink or purple is DARING to me. I don’t even know how to achieve a smokey eye! You should do a make up for dummies post, I think it would be amazing! great post!
Twitter: aleciahoobing
February 26, 2010 at 4:14 PM
I am a forever pupil in the make up department. I have had my face done up probably ten times at various Mac, Bobbi Brown, Sephora counters but I always lose faith that what I am doing is the right way. Part of my problem is that I don’t like to look like I have a lot of make up on which goes against what the counter people usually show me.
I have been using the Bobbi Brown gel eyeliner for awhile now and really like it. I wonder how it compares to the Clinique. My sister and I just rediscovered Clinique. It was our first “face wash” regime when we were teenagers and then we forgot about it over the years. Great stuff!
I look forward to watching some of the smoky eye how tos! I can always use a make up how to! Thanks!
.-= Alecia´s last blog ..Let me Consult with our Pediatric Infectious Disease Doc =-.
you are inspiring me to get to a makeup store and quickly….
Thanks for the tip! I used to use Clinique until they did away with it. You had to get the brush wet and then it went on like a liquid and actually stayed on. In desperation I found a liquid eyeliner with Lancome. I find it a little harsh though. Can’t wait to try Clinique again!!! I may have to check in wiht you for tips on a smoky eyeliner. I have been experimenting with it lately.
Thanks for the tip! I used to use Clinique until they did away with it. You had to get the brush wet and then it went on like a liquid and actually stayed on. In desperation I found a liquid eyeliner with Lancome. I find it a little harsh though. Can’t wait to try Clinique again!!! I may have to check in with you for tips on a smoky eyeliner. I have been experimenting with it lately.
Smoky eyes are so mysterious and daring to me. If only I could master them. I need help!
Hugs and Mocha,
Stesha
Great tips – I love it! It’s especially good to know to chuck the brush it comes with.
.-= AnnQ´s last blog ..New iPhone App helps Cheaters hide Affairs =-.
gosh your blog is so great! it has so much going on and i love it! sorry i just checked my blog in like 2 weeks! it’s hard to keep up when not that many people read mine! i’m glad you stumbled upon it though! yes, im obsessed with those totes, and the fact that karl lagerfeld took those pictures himself.
xoxo cladincouture.blogspot.com
I grew up with a “recovered” hippie mother. Meaning, she had given up the macrame and put on a bra, but still didn’t do much in the way of makeup. So everything I know, which isn’t much, I have picked up from friends, magazines, tv, and now the internet. I confess that I’m not very daring when it comes to my makeup. I’ve attempted the smoky eye, but haven’t really gone all out. I am intrigued by this cream eyeliner, though. I might just have to give it a go.
.-= Carabee´s last blog ..36 =-.
How have I never been to your blog before? Seriously. I’m loving you. Next time you globetrot to Germany, let me know. We’ll do lunch. And talk shoes.
.-= Mom in High Heels´s last blog ..Baby Shower Fun =-.
My Mom had the perfect smokey eye thing down for years (now she doesn’t wear makeup). I have never quite mastered it, though I like the cream liners. Thanks for the brush tip, that little one that comes with IS useless.
.-= Keely´s last blog ..All signs point to someone else’s blog =-.
That’s a great tutorial. Now, if only my eyes would allow makeup to blend like that. Seriously, I have some weird spots in my crease where makeup doesn’t like to stick no matter what is applied first. It’s very odd and frustrating!
I can’t believe the girl at Sephora let you leave with one smokey eye! Unhelpful indeed!
P.S. I’m giving away two more notebooks Friday and five next week if you’d like to enter again!
I love smoky eyes! And I love cream liner! And angled liner brushes. And purple. I wear a deep purple mascara all the time. I have no idea how you purchased something limited edition, though. I can never bear to do that. Invariably I will fall in love with it and never be able to find it again!
.-= Kellee´s last blog ..Avocado Fields of Mitered Squares =-.