Dear Sharona,
I have very prominent eyes; I was wondering what color and or style of makeup would suit me? I have dark brown hair and brown eyes, and medium-deep skin tone. I rarely put on makeup and if I do, it’s only on my eyes. I am looking forward to reading your suggestions.
Anonymous- NYC
Dear Anonymous,
Thank you for submitting your question. The best look for prominent eyes (eyes that are large or appear to bulge out) is the “smokey eye look.” A common misconception about the smokey eye look is that you need to put black eye shadow all over the eye. Although that is one way of creating a smokey eye, it is not the only way to accomplish the look. The colors that can be used for a smokey eye (aside from black, gray, or brown) are gem colors such as sapphire and emerald. There are really no rules, just keep it on the darker side, because darker colors give off the illusion of a smaller eye. You’ve mentioned that you have brown eyes and brown hair, which means that you are already starting out with neutral colors and any eye shadow color goes well with your coloring.
Although you can get away with any color eye shadow, there are some limitations. Your eye shadow color should give off the illusion that your eyes are set a little deeper into your face, and the best shadows for that are colors with a matte finish. Anything with shimmer will make your eye appear more protruding.
What you’ll need:
* 2 eye shadows in the same color; one should be a deep tone and the other a slightly lighter tone, both in a matte finish.
* Pencil eyeliner in a similar shade to the shadows.
* A black eyeliner pencil (to rim the inside of your eye).
* A Q-tip (to smudge).
* Eyelash curler and mascara.
First, apply the darkest shade on your lash line and on the base of your eyelid. Then, take the lighter shade and apply it in to the crease of your eye, stretching the color upward towards the brow bone. Make sure to blend the two colors well, especially where the colors meet. Rim the eye to “close” the eye a bit and make it appear smaller. On the top lash line using an eyeliner pencil in the same shade as the eye shadow, line a thin line and smudge it into the eye shadow. Curl lashes and apply mascara. Keep in mind this style of smokey eye, and deep colors are best used on prominent eyes.
Sharona Silva is a makeup artist, specializing in airbrush makeup, who works in the New York City area. Sharona recently launched her own skin care line for all types of skin. Please submit questions to [email protected]. Questions may be used in future columns; all inquiries will remain anonymous. Visit www.sharonasilva.com for more information.