The “I’m Not Trying” eye is perfect for those occasions when you want to create that “I’ve made an effort, but I don’t want to look too made up” look. It’s sexy yet casual, and the shadowing is soft enough not to overpower your eyelids, but still creates that smokey eye effect. Perfect for that daytime look!
You will need:
-A natural beige eyeshadow – this will be the natural base that will highlight your eyes
-A soft beige/brown eyeshadow
-A darker brown eyeshadow
-A black eyeshadow
-A soft eyeshadow brush
-A soft blending brush
-A small eyeshadow brush
-A brown/black kohl eyeliner
-False eyelashes or mascara
Step 1.
Firstly, prime your lid by patting on a small amount of your foundation. This will form a base for your make up to stick to. Using a soft eyeshadow brush, sweep a natural coloured eyeshadow over your eye, which will brighten the appearance of your eyes and give a great base colour.
Step 2.
Taking a light-medium brown powder, apply a stroke of colour to the crease of the outer part of your eyelid – this will create that smoky effect when your eye is open. Make sure to apply it gently and not apply too much; you want it to blend as much as possible. If necessary, take the first natural eyeshadow colour you used and blend the two together. Then using a slightly darker brown eyeshadow, sweep a tiny bit of shadow over the corners of your lower lid. Use a soft blending brush to ensure the colours look natural and blend together nicely with the rest of your eyelid.
Step 3.
With a soft kohl pencil (make sure it’s not too blunt) carefully line your lower lid above your eyelash line. Use a dark brown pencil to create a softer look, or a black if you want slightly darker eyes. A better quality pencil will glide on to your eye much easier – a great liner is Dior Waterproof Crayon Eyeliner ($29) which defines your eyes in a quick stroke and has a blending tip applicator at the other end of the pencil. If you have a steady hand, try creating a small flick at the corners of your eye. This pencil will line your upper lids and help create that smokey effect.
Step 4.
Using a slightly smaller eyeshadow brush and a black eyeshadow, gently sweep across the line you have just created. Don’t build up too much shadow on your brush – you want a small amount which will create a subtle smokey eye effect on your lash line.
Step 5.
Apply natural looking false eyelashes, being careful not get the glue on your eyelid. Alternatively, you can add a coat of mascara to define your lashes and open your eyes.
And there we have it; a natural “I’m not trying” eye! It may take some practice but once you have perfected it, your eyes will be looking subtle, smokey and natural! You can even try experimenting with new shades and colours to create a different kind of look.
Enjoy!