Haaay, homeskillet. How goes it? I’m a little stunned that it’s actually Friday. This week flew by so fast, didn’t it? No complaints here, though. 🙂
I’m excited because I have a pre-birthday spa appointment scheduled for tomorrow in which I hope to take/have my very first mud bath. Yup, we’ll see how it goes…whether it turns out to be gross or cool (because there’s a fine line, right?). Wish me luck!
This morning I wanted to experiment a little more with Smashbox’s Eye Illusion.
What is Smashbox Eye Illusion?
It’s a compact with a trio of sheer, iridescent eyeshadows in blue, gold and pink. When layered on top of other eyeshadows and liners, the colors alter the original hues and impart a subtle sheen/shine. Price: $28.
Today I gave it a try with what would have been a plain jane daytime smokey purple eye, shooting for something a little more exciting and special.
I started by priming my lids with a base of Urban Decay Primer Potion in Eden (a matte nude), following it up with Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil in Rockstar (a deep plummy purple) applied to the waterlines, lid and just barely into the crease.
Where’s the waterline?
The waterline is the small 2mm (or thereabouts) strip of skin that extends from where the eyelashes sprout from the eyelid toward the eye itself, and it exists on both the top and bottom eyelids.
Then, with the MAC 217 (or any other fluffy domed eyeshadow brush), I smudged out the edges, drawing the liner into the crease and feathering out in a gradient of color.
Now here’s where it gets cool
With the blue and gold shades from Eye Illusion, I took Rockstar to the next level. Using the same eyeshadow brush, I swept the blue iridescent shade from the trio directly on top of the purple liner, all the way up to the brow bone.
Then, with the MAC 219 pencil brush, I smudged the gold along the lower lash line.
There it is! An easy look with just enough drama for a lunch date. 🙂
Colors used in this look from left: Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil in Rockstar, Smashbox Eye Illusion in blue sheen, Smashbox Eye Illusion in gold sheen, Urban Decay Blush in Hookup (from the Face Case palette), Smashbox Photo Finish Lipstick in Sweet, Smashbox Lip Enhancing gloss in Protege
You absolutely wouldn’t have to use the same products I did here to get the same basic effect. You could even dupe it with a drugstore liner like deep purple Hard Candy Geisha, or you could go with MAC and try something like a MAC Greasepaint Stick or a MAC Pearl Glide Liner. I bet there are quite a few purple cream shadows that would also work, too.
One more thing for the bargain huntresses — MBB readers Natasha, Beth and Vonvon (thanks, ladies!) suggested a dupe for Eye Illusion itself, a budget alternative by E.L. F. called Eye Transformer, and instead of three shades it comes with four! For a mere $3!
Hope your Friday’s chugging along. Let me know what you’re up to!
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Ewa Linsey says
Karen, That’s a nice and quick idea. I personally don’t like to use gold (or shimmer) under bottom lashline- I find it can make fine lines appear deeper than they are.
ewa@LoveSmokeyEyes
ps. Enjoy your spa!
Karen says
Hi Ewa,
I guess it really depends on the person. I loooove gold along the lower lash line — I feel like it opens up my eyes and adds definition without looking too over the top.
Rachel says
Good luck with that mud bath. I did it once…hmmmm…
I love the eye transformer, but I like the idea of $3. I may have to try that out. Dag-nab-it…and I was JUST at Target…
Karen says
Really? How was it? Gross or cool?
Tiffany says
OMG, good luck at the spa! I can’t wait to hear your report!
This seems like such a cute and easy look! I kinda want that ELF palette simply because it’s so cheap, lol 🙂
Karen says
Um, it just occurred to me that they BETTER use fresh mud. ‘Cause that would be gross if they recycled the mud. Hmmm…
I’ve never used ELF before, have you? You can’t be that price, for sure.
Tiffany says
Nah, surely it’ll be fresh!? I have only bought their eyeshadow quads (empty ones) and the vanilla coconut hand cream (which was pretty good for 4 bucks!). My Target has a few of their things – I’ll have to check and see if they have the Eye Transformer.
Karen says
I hope it is!! The thought of it is kinda funny… “Fresh Mud.”
Lindsay says
Sooooooo pretty! I bet your lunch date loved seeing this look. Say hayyyy to Tabs for me!
.-= Lindsay’s last blog post… Change of Address =-.
Karen says
Will do! 🙂 Have a great weekend!
Steph B says
Enjoy the mud bath! I am trying to choose between spa trip or new suit for work. Spa sounds much more fun but I’ll get continued joy from snappy new suit.
Karen says
Decisions, decisions. How about a suit for now, and then a mini treat, like a mani-pedi?
Nina says
Oh my god, I want those eyelids right here right now (and I’d happily never take them off). They look sooo beautiful on you Karen. Good luck with your mud bath! I hope you like it and share your after thoughts with us. When is your birthday? We should throw a mini-online-beauty party here for celebration! 🙂 Anywaaay, I’m off to bed. Have a friggin’ good Friday evening =)
Karen says
It’s next week. I’ve been trying to be less grumpy about it…hopefully the spa will put me in better spirits!
Janee says
Oh my goodness… Karen, smokey purple is your color! Those are some gorgeous peepers. I also have brown eyes and darker skin so I’m definitely going to work this look into my repertoire.
Karen says
You will love Rockstar!
If you don’t have it already, then you gotta try UD’s Bourbon, too. It’s so pretty with brown eyes.
marisol says
Have fun at the spa! And yes this week flew by. Is that what happens as we get older?
Really like this simple yet classy look.
.-= marisol’s last blog post… Abandonment issues =-.
Karen says
Unfortunately, yes. The time seems to pass by way too quickly.
I hope you’re enjoying your birthday makeup haul(s)!
Nina says
Heya there. Thats an awesome look that looks purrfect on you!
Enjoy the spa…weve had a busy evening running around getting stuff ready for our trip tomorrow.
Happy happy happy ….
😀
Karen says
Thanks! As usual I’m running around at the last minute like a chicken with its head cut off trying to get stuff done, LOL!
Have fun today…
Nina says
Were having a lazy morning – Brenham (wedding venue) is 1.5 hours away so were leaving 11ish … 🙂
I got my makeup and dress packed and ready to roll!
Happy happy! 🙂
makeup morsels says
woww I love this! perfect everyday with a pop look. That’s what it’s called! I remembered it was from ELF, but forgot the name. Maybe I should go see if that works as well
.-= makeup morsels’s last blog post… Ellis Faas: The Coolest Makeup on the Block =-.
Karen says
If you do let me know! I am always looking for a good drugstore deal.
Agnes says
oh wow… with just the purple eyeliner, i was already feeling it! but blue and gold totally made your eyes POP!! haha thanks for the ELF recommendation, will defniately search for this! $3 > $28! 😀
.-= Agnes’s last blog post… Annabelle Pigments – Karma & Azure + Giveaway comment =-.
Karen says
Let me know what you think of the ELF version and if it’s worth tracking down.
Have a great Saturday!
Mariah says
Pretty! I love the gold beneath the eye, it’s genius! It really opens your eye! I may have to try this!
Karen says
The sheen has a very subtle effect! I hope you give it a go.
Rica says
So pretty on you. But I already got something similar in my collection, which is the E.L.F. eye transformer that you mentioned =P. How do they compare in texture and wear though?
Btw, love your look, and Rockstar is my favourite UD 24/7 Liner! =D (Two totally random point LOL)
x
Rica
.-= Rica’s last blog post… Sneak Peak: MAC Digi-Pops Collection =-.
Karen says
I don’t know about ELF versus Smashbox…can anybody else weigh in on this?
Shannon says
love this look! Rockstar is one of my fave UD 24/7 liner colors 🙂
Vonvon says
You are welcome, Karen! 🙂
The Eye Illusion really does wonders! Will try out mine soon! Love playing with eye makeup! Can’t wait ti experiment with different ways of using them too!
.-= Vonvon’s last blog post… Recovering On A Sunday Night – The Wife Of A Racer =-.