Festive Makeup Picks: The Smokey Eye #DitsyDecember

Yesterday I started my 'Festive Makeup Picks' series and kicked things off my mentioning the flawless base - how to do carry it out and what products I personally like to use. Today I'm focusing on the smokey eye - another cult classic around this time of year. Once again I'm going to be talking you through how I like to do my own smokey eye (or as smokey as I like it) and some products I like to employ for this (slightly intimidating) task.

1. Firstly, I like to prep my eyelids so that I have a clean slate to work with and that the shadow I apply lasts all day (or evening). For this I like to use the Urban Decay Primer Potion. I've found this to be the best eyeshadow primer I've found and really does keep everything in place and crease-free. If you haven't got an eyeshadow primer you could perhaps use a cream eyeshadow, such as the Maybelline Colour Tattoos, in a corresponding colour to the tone of the smokey eye you want to create.
2. Next I like to pick out which brushes I want to use. For this I'd suggest a maximum of three - one medium-sized, slightly more dense brush to apply the colour; one larger, fluffier brush to blend out any harsh edges; and a smaller detailer brush to apply any colour at either/both the top and bottom lashlines. 
3. Then it's time to get applying that eyeshadow! For this you could go down the traditional brown route or another neutral colour of your choice, or as it's the festive season perhaps you might fancy giving it a bit of a twist and throwing in colours with slight red, purple or even green undertones. Whatever colour palette you choose you ideally want 3-4 shades varying from light to dark.
4. Firstly you want to apply the lightest shade all over your lid. You may also want to focus this in your inner corner to brighten and your brow bone to highlight. You then want to apply the second shade which is slightly darker on the outer half of your eyelid, blending it in where it meets the first shade you applied. Then apply your third shade which is starting to get much darker and concentrate this in the very outer third of your lid. If this is your final shade, make sure you really focus it in the crease especially so there is a definite graduation from the inner to outer sections of your eyelid. If you do have a fourth shade, use this as suggested above instead. I then before moving on like to apply a nude eyeliner such as the Rimmel one to help cancel out any redness in the lower waterline.
5. Then I like to carry out a step that I find personally suits me. Of course it may not look great on you, and so you can always leave this out. I like to do what I like to call 'mirroring'. There's probably a more accurate term out there, but basically I like to 'mirror' the shadows I've put on my upper lid onto my lower lashline. For example, I like to put the very first shade I applied in the inner corner of my lower lashes, and the very darkest shade in the very most outer corner. I find this helps balance things out and adds to the smokey effect.
6. Then comes eyeliner and again this is a personal preference. Some prefer liquid, some kohl, some gel, and some may not like using it at all. So go with what you're used to for this one. I personally am in a bit of a love affair with kohl liner at the moment after starting to cheat on my usual liquid liner offerings over the past year. So I like to take my kohl liner of my choice, and apply a line close to my upper lashes, winging it out slightly at the outer corner. I then take my detailer brush I mentioned earlier and blend this so it doesn't stand out so much and fits more with the 'smokey' vibe. I then repeat these steps until I like the finished result.
7. Of course no eye look would be complete without mascara and this is certainly the time to apply lashings of it! Like liner, not every mascara suits everybody, so choose your favourite and apply as many coats as your lashes can stand. I like to also curl my lashes before applying any mascara so to help open your eye up and make your mashes appear longer. It may also be the time to apply lashes, but once again this is a personal preference, and something I will be discussing on Dainty Ditsy very, very soon...
8. I then finally like to assess my work and perhaps use a cotton bud to clean up any areas where I might have made a bit of a mess or mistake, such as my mascara blob going on my eyelid. I like to simply roll the tip of the cotton bud over the mistake, when its dry as it's easier to clean up, and possibly reapply eyeshadow/eyeliner/concealer if any is removed in the process.

So that is how I like to create the ultimate smokey eye! I know everyone has their own way of going about it, and I'm always open to new suggestions and tips of how I can make it even more easier and quicker to execute so if you do have any, please leave them down below!

Don't forget to check back tomorrow for the final instalment of 'Festive Makeup Picks', where I'll be giving the lowdown on the final part of the festive face - a killer bold lip.