How to get that smoky eye

DEAR LUCY,

How do I achieve a smoky eye that does not look too overwhelmingly dramatic on a summer night out? MONICA

A smoky eye is an art that can be achieved with lots of practice.  The more you do it, the better at it you will be.  I myself do not have it down to a science, there are days when I find it such a challenge to do that I just opt to make my lips the focal point by wearing lip color in a dramatic shade, balanced only by really nicely-curled lashes (that I can at least do consistently).  But back to the smoky eye.  I really like using a matte beige shade on my eyes because unlike their more sparkly counterparts, I find that I can layer matte for contour without it looking too heavy or too overwhelming.  Try Chanel Ombre Essentielle in Slate and MAC Wedge. 

I also like using shadow more than eye pencil, which I use by tracing my upper and lower lash lines with it.  Powder is easier to blend into the base color so that there are no harsh edges (which can add years to your face!).  For this, I like Chanel Ombre Essentielle in Ebony.  To define the crease in your eyes, layer the color slowly instead of going at it in one go.  Build up color as you go along and the result will be more polished.  If you like to use shimmer, limit it to the inner corners of the eyes for an interesting pop of color.                                     

LUCY

Light up your skin with highlighters

HI, REGINA!

Your skin always looks so glowy on Instagram and you said once that it’s because you use highlighter. What highlighter do you use, and how do you apply it?                              SAM

Highlighter’s my favorite not-so-secret great skin secret; it gives your skin the illusion of health; what I like to call that Koreanovela glow. You can choose between powder and cream or liquid. If your skin’s oily, I’d go with a powder formula. If you’re dry, a cream or liquid formula might be better for you. If you go with powder, pick up some product with a brush and dust it along the tops of your cheekbones and along your brow bones. For cream or liquid, apply it on the same areas, but dab a small amount with your fingers and blend out until it looks natural.

For powder formulas, my Holy Grail highlighter is Kevyn Aucoin Beauty’s Celestial Powder in Candlelight. When it comes to cream, lately, I’ve been obsessed with Nars’ Multiple in Copacabana. Be sure to pick one that’s more champagne- or yellow-toned than white or pink (both of my picks are); they blend in much better with skin.

REGINA

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Send e-mail to Lucy Torres-Gomez at ltg@pldtdsl.com. E-mail Rissa Trillo at stylesos_rissa@yahoo.com or follow her on Twitter @RissaMananquil. Send Regina Belmonte your questions at vivatregina.tumblr@gmail.com or tweet her @vivatregina.