Dark Eyeshadow- how to do it

I watched The Dark Knight for the second time last night and it just keeps getting better each time! Interestingly enough the joker's warped makeup reminded me of something that I had always wanted to learn how to do well but always failed in...


...how to put on eyeshadow to achieve a 'smoky eye effect', that is. Ha!


Personally, I do feel that eyeliner around the eyes can be a double-edged sword. As much as it emphasises the contours of one's eyes, it does have quite an opposite effect if your eye isn't sculpted as desirably as that of Eva Mendes - it does make your eye look smaller!

Soften the bold edges of eyeliner-drawn eyes with a bit of grey eyeshadow to blur it out for a less aggressive look.


Angelina Jolie has gone for the extreme kohl-drawn eyes in this one, and it does quite suit her. I'm not usually a big fan of gold jewellery, but they came out pretty well in this combination of strong eyeliner + tied up hair.

Keira Knightley sports a somewhat more played-down version and more youthful style of what Angelina has; with an extra addition of brown eyeshadow around the eyes. At first glance I was quite put off by this look - it reminds me somewhat of someone who's just stayed up all night studying for an exam tomorrow - but after a while, it looks quite passable.


It is also worthwhile to note that vamping strong eyes with an equally strong counterpart of red lipstick, just as Kim Kardashian has done in the left picture, achieves a very good effect as well. Be sure to powder your face real smooth to pull off this one though!! You don't want ugly skin against strong features; that just kills it.

Courtney Cox has gone for a heavily subdued, mature version of the smoky-eye look, which goes wonderfully with that shade of lipstick and her dress + silver jewellery too! Everything fits.


Oh, dearie dearie me. Not the catty look that Pamela Anderson is sporting here! Anything but the cat! Drunkedness and bad eyeshadow don't go very well together, I don't think.

HOW TO DO IT
Kudos to eHow.com

Step 1: Start by first applying your foundation, concealer, eye brightener, highlighting powder and other basics before you start your eyes.

While eyeliner is almost always applied after eyeshadow, to create a smoky look, start with black eyeliner.

Create a line from the outer corner of your lid and work to the end of your lashes, working as near to the lash line as possible.


Step 2: Use an angled eyeshadow brush to apply your dark eyeshadow, placing it directly over the eyeliner and gently working it in with the brush to smudge the liner pencil.

Make sure that the edges and entire length of the line is well blended.


Step 3: Blend your eyeshadow gradually up your eyelid to the crease, working the powder into your skin and then apply a light white or cream shimmer eyeshadow above the crease to the eyebrow to make your eyes pop.

Step 4: Apply your eyeliner once again. This time, begin at the outer corner of the lid, beginning just beyond and above the corner to create an upturned line and then work along the lash line to the inner corner of the eye.


Apply liner to the bottom lid as well and then smudge the lower line, keeping with the smoky look.

Step 5: Finish your sexy smoky look by applying mascara, curling your lashes and filling in your eyebrows if desired.


Hope that was useful! To end off, here's a video for kicks:

Boys Over Flowers (Korean ver) has good fashion stylists!

I recently finished watching the Korean version of Boys Over Flowers, and it was really good! There was definitely heaps of eye candy which is always a plus in any K-drama, Kim Bum (the guy 2nd from the left in the picture above) being the best looking of them all (not biased at all!!).


Bit of trend spotting here:


Hound-tooth scarves go impeccably well with plain tops...


Plaid + red + white layers = love...


Layering lights and darks strategically is always a good thing, especially with clothes of different lengths, such as trench coats with shirts/vests/scarves inside.


Stock up on a range of little neck-tie scarves as you never know when they could come in handy, such as a romantic stroll through the grasses!


Long black socks + plaid mini skirt + side half-ponytail, very much the model of innocence indeedy. Finally...


Sorry I just had to put that one there...(one of) my favourite scenes in the entire drama because Kim Bum as So Yi Jeong in the drama is just too cute!! >< What a lovely way to end off a lovely post.

Psychedelic POW WOW

Kind of a sad fact, but only recently have I come to realize the importance of adequate layering in your closet, and the importance that those crucial, itty-bitty little accessories add to your fashion wadrobe. Nevermind, better late than never.

One of the things that really got me thinking about the significance of suitable colour-pairing and all that jazz was having watched Uhm Jung Hwa's D.I.S.C.O music video, featuring TOP from Big Bang (watch out for his rapping bit in it - it is absolutely mind-blowingly grouse!).

On a side note - I was just googling some piccies of Uhm Jung Hwa, and she has some good dress sense. And if not her, then her stylist. She even makes wearing undergarments as a fashion accessory seem normal, which is...bizarre - although some do leave much to be desired. Let's take a look:



4 out of 5 stars!
This one is elegant and classy. I like it how the bracelet manages to meld everything together in terms of pattern and colour.



2 out of 5 stars...
Sorry, overdoing it a little although the colour combination works. The dress doesn't sit properly here; if it was a little more fitting I feel it would have been more successful. Just a tad more body-hugging, is my verdict. I adore the ruffles though. I do have a soft spot for them.



3 out of 5 stars!
Great, casual and chic! You hardly notice the extreme cleavage in this one, hey? Subtly cute.



5 out of 5 stars!
This is one of my favourites. Pastel lights of lime, cream and yellow do meld together to form a lovely combination. I find it works only against semi-tanned skin though.



5 out of 5 stars!
This is my 2nd favourite one in a row!!! It is very casual, yet commands attention to its unique colours and design.


1 out of 5 stars...
Ummmmmmmm as much as I love purple and dark royal at that, this one, I feel, hovers just a little too much on being overly exposive. The coat's lovely, but don something more than a bra inside perhaps...

Back to D.I.S.C.O though: in 3 words...: it. is. AWESOME!!! Without wanting to sound too much of a korean drama freak (which I am most certainly NOT! This one just came into my life all of a sudden), watch it if you haven't already. I promise it will be entertaining, even for those of you who are abit iffy about anything other than english pop. More than anything though, as much as the song's ridiculously catchy (be warned! you will be tempted to watch it again, and again, and again, and again......), look out for Jung Hwa's funky psychedelic pairing of colours in this one.


So that's all fine and dandy; but I came across these items of lust that I absolutely have to share with you guys. Warning: I am a big Forever 21 and Asos fan.

Bracelets

Left to right: Asos floral bangle, Asos set of three faceted bead stretch wristbands


Left to right: Forever 21 Ellie Bejeweled Cluster Cuff, Grainne Morton Butterfly Cuff

Rings

Left to right: Asos chunky striped plastic ring, Eclectic Vintage Hobe Pastel Rhinestone ring


Left to right: Forever 21 Rainbow Jewel Dome Ring, Forever 21 Wild Daisy Bead Ring

Guest appearances from other blogshops

Left to right: Twinkle Collection earrings, Tinted Jewels necklace, Shibooya pink tights

Hopefully that's left you inspired with revamping your wadrobe a little. A little venturing from (admittedly safe) monochromatic colours and the like never hurt anyone! See y'all later.