A Really, Really, Easy Way to Create Smokey Eyes

You'll want to keep this photo of Jennifer Hudson around for a while; it's a great illustration of the easy eye makeup tip from celebrity makeup artist Jeffrey Paul. It's so simple, you won't believe you ever thought there was a mystery behind smoky eye makeup. Seriously! Paul says just start by applying the darkest color in a tricolor eyeshadow palette(or a dark eyeliner--your choice) right on top of your lash line. Let the color merge into a slightly less dark shade on the lid. Next add the lightest color--one closest to your own skin tone--from the top of the lid all the way up to the crease, then blend them all together so that the whole look seems to fade from dark to light. See how pretty it looks on Jennifer Hudson? She even upped the ante by letting her dark shadows merge into a silvery highlighter shade at the crease line and inner eye, which really opens up her eyes. You can also dab a highlighter at the inner corner for an eye-widening/brightening effect.

Try Paul & Joe's Eye Color Palais Royale ($23) and the lightest shade in Neutrogena's Nourishing Eyeshadow Quad in Blue Smoke ($10) will both do the trick.




Simple Simple Simple! LOVES IT!