If there’s one make-up trick that belongs in every woman’s arsenal, it’s the smoky eye (that, and a perfect red lip). Master the basics and you’ve suddenly got the power to inject any after-dark look with major impact.
But there are also few make-up techniques more intimidating. How heavy are you supposed to go? How much eyeliner is required? And how do you avoid the dreaded panda eye?
Enter: Yves Saint Laurent Beauté artistic director, Ross Andrewartha. As the man behind the sultry smoky eye at the Myer A/W ’17 show last night, he has more than a few tricks up his sleeve – and he was more than happy to share.
“I wanted something that really represented Melbourne, so I’ve done a beautiful grungy, black smoky eye,” he says. He used YSL’s new Duo Eye Smoker pen ($49; on counter April 2) to create the high-impact black, adding eye gloss on top for a slick finish.
“YSL has brought out an eye gloss for the first time, which I used to give an iridescent, almost petrol look to the eye,” Ross explains. “Even though we’re going super heavy on the eye, the gloss gives it light and life.”
Just beware being too heavy-handed with the eye gloss at home – while it bounces light on the runway, it may prove tricky (and slippery) to replicate IRL.
Instead, stick to strobing and clever highlighting on the cheekbones, cupid’s bow and just below the brow “to really lift the skin,” says Ross.
His other top tip? Add warm tones to your smoky eye to tone down the edgy effect. “Everyone can achieve a smoky eye, but if you’ve got a deep-set eye, it can be nice to add a warmer hue through the socket, maybe a bronzer, or a warmer brown, just so the eyes don’t look sunken,” he says.
“Adding a touch of orange underneath will add more of an everyday feel,” he adds.” If you’ve got green or hazel eyes, this look might be a little too cool, so I’d add a warm brown or some bronzer through the crease and under the eye to stop it from looking so cold.”
The finishing touch? A nude lip – Ross used YSL Rouge Volupte in shade 42 ($57). His parting tip? “It can also be used to create an amazing highlight for a gleaming complexion,” he shares. Who doesn’t love multi-tasking make-up?
