Weapons of mass seduction

It’s all in the eyes. That’s what they say. It’s true though isn’t it? Master a ‘look’ for your eyes and you’re set for life. Take the smokey eye, it doesn’t look like it’s set to go out of fashion – there is a variation of it every season.

Some basic ‘weapons’ I can’t do without – jet black kohl / eye liner (or any shade you feel suits you and brings out the best of your eyes), a blacker than black mascara and an eye lash curler. Investing in the right tools makes light work of the look.

First up, the eye lash curler – this one probably looks unfamiliar and quite scary but it is the best. Laura Mercier by Japonesque’s Precision Lash Curler. I bought this a very long time ago, and it is now very hard to find (in fact I haven’t found it yet), but Japonesque have their own version of it at a fraction of the price I paid.

Why is it the best? Just look at it – it allows you to be (as the name says) precise and curl lashes where it is needed, plus it creates a more natural look as the lashes become feathered as opposed to being so evenly curled you look like one of Daisy the Cow’s body doubles. I also feel like I am less likely to pull my lashes out because I have more control. A couple of seconds of pressing it closed along the lash line is all that is needed.

Lashes curled, it’s on to the eye liner. A good kohl is best. I’ve gone for Iman’s Perfect Eye Pencil in Jet Black. Hers are designed for darker skin tones so the colour really pops against the skin. It feels high density and intense. When buying a pencil I test it on the back of my hand, drawing several lines – a fine and thick line to check the tip doesn’t get blunt too easily, and a line for me to smudge and if it doesn’t rub off then I know I am on to a keeper. I have bought waterproof eye liner before, but it’s the mascara I think you need to worry about being waterproof.

Finally, the mascara. I don’t believe it is worth skimping on mascara. A good mascara shouldn’t dry up too easily, nor need to be reapplied, nor flake and should look as close to natural as possible, whilst having a strong colour that lasts all day as though freshly applied. My favourite mascara is Diorshow Blackout in Kohl Black, expensive but it lasts. My latest tube has been going for 9 months and there hasn’t been a flake in sight. It suits contact lens wearers and I swear my lashes have gotten longer since I started using it!

It also has a nice fat brush that coats every lash separately – 2 sweeps gives a respectable amount of definition. I have both the regular and waterproof versions – testament to how much I love it! I can’t live without it.

So, those are my weapons, whether for a full-on dramatic smokey eye or just a bit of definition for work. How to create a smokey eye is a lesson for another day. For now, experiment with these beauties and see how much fun is to be had. Enjoy!