Your Eye Makeup Last

Want a bold eye look that kills it well after five? Learn how to ace these long-lasting makeup looks that won’t smudge off by cocktail hour.

Portrait of Tammy Strobel
Want a bold eye look that kills it well after five? Learn how to ace these long-lasting makeup looks that won’t smudge off by cocktail hour.
Photography Benjamin Becker Still-life Photography Chris Jansen/Bauer Media Hair and Makeup Sabine Heberle
Photography Benjamin Becker Still-life Photography Chris Jansen/Bauer Media Hair and Makeup Sabine Heberle

Sexy Smokey Eyes

Whether you’ve got a big day at work ahead or a night of partying planned, your eye makeup will stay on if you live by these super-simple rules.

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1 Treat yourself to a regular face mask

The night before, apply a moisturising mask to your face with a brush. If you do this, your makeup will sink right into your skin rather than just sit on the surface.

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2 Soothe the eye area

Swollen or puffy eyes can make you look tired. Get rid of swelling with a cooling roll-on eye gel. Gently circle around the contours of your eyes to noticeably reduce any swelling.

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3 Make fine lines disappear

For an even complexion, hide the faint creases around your eyes with an eye primer. Then, apply a long-lasting matte foundation over your face, blending it in with a brush to make sure it’s even.

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4 Minimise redness

The inner eyelid can go red when makeup is applied to it. To prevent this, apply a white eyeliner first. Rub the point of the pencil over the back of your hand to warm it up, before gently gliding it over the area.

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5 Show off your eyelids

Brush on an eyeshadow with a lighter tone from the lash line up to the brows. Next, apply a more intense hue over the socket area and blend the colours to create a subtle smokey transition. Then emphasise the lower lash line with a smudge of dark eyeshadow.

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Your toolkit 

1. L’Oréal Paris Mega Volume Miss Manga Mascara in Black, $22.90
2. The Body Shop Matte Kajal in White, $22.90
3. Bourjois Volume Glamour Push Up Mascara in Waterproof, $22
4. Urban Decay All Nighter Long-Lasting Makeup Setting Spray, $48
5. NARS Shimmer Eyeshadow in Bad Behaviour, $38
6. LANEIGE Water Sleeping Mask, $42
7. Chanel Leves 4 Ombres in 254 Tisse d’Automne, $90

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6 Just add mascara

Finishing your eye makeup look with mascara will make this look more intense – especially when your lashes are dramatically defined. If your mascara tends to flop or smudge, go with a waterproof formula to ensure that it holds for the entire day

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7 Fix the look

This type of eye look is supposed to appear a little bit smudged, but to stop the colour moving too much, mist your face with a fixing spray after you apply your makeup. Hold the spray about 20cm from your face when applying. Fresh!

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