Friends, to pull off the smokyshadow look, most times you need a black shadow. Well the other night when I went out with a few friends, I decided to go for the full black smoky eye. Black lid blended in2 my highlight. But when I was done, looking at my eyes, my black wasn't dark enough. With this particular look, I did the black liner over the lid then the shadow. It was dark but not BLACK. You know what I mean. I was using my 120 warm palette and the two blacks look pretty dark. Is there something else I need to do? When I used primer it definitely didn't look black, more like dark grey. So, I decided that I need an extremely dark matte black shadow and you all are just the folks to help. HELP!
ps- I have also tried this look w the dark navy blue base then black on top too. WHAT AM I DOING WRONG
The all natural face makes a black eyeshadow base. If you wear it under your shadow it should make it more intense. For brands, kleancolor, bare minerals, larenim and indie brands like detrivore make matte black shadows. These are all mineral companies so you can foil them so they're darker closer to your eye and gradually get more dry. Also, you might want to try bare minerals' black liner shadow, it might make a more substantial look
Use a black kohl pencil or Black NYX Jumbo E/s pencil as a base, use a dense e/s brush to dab on the black shadow. Makeup Geek makes a nice new black shadow, Sugar Pill, Inglot, and Wet n Wild are a few to try;) Hope that helps
I like Kat Von D or one I have from an English company called Lily Lolo. Also, I use a MAC paint in Existential (super dark gray) as a base. Did you use a cream shadow as a base? That will help intensify the color. I'm not sure of MAC makes that particular paint, but you could even use a big sweep of black gel liner as a cream shadow.
Urban Decay's Blackout is phenomenal, then Sugarpill, 3rd best is Makeup Forever. Sugarpill's is cheapest with the most product for your dollar, but the others are easier to get. Do yourself a favor and go swatch Blackout.
Try putting a brown in the crease and blend the black up to the crease. It will keep the black more concentrated and you still get the smoky look.
I use Carbon by Mac. But it also could be the way you apply. In a patting motion, not blending will give you the densest/darkest pigment. Dark bases help as well!
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Sep 24, 2012
L D.
Friends, to pull off the smokyshadow look, most times you need a black shadow. Well the other night when I went out with a few friends, I decided to go for the full black smoky eye. Black lid blended in2 my highlight. But when I was done, looking at my eyes, my black wasn't dark enough. With this particular look, I did the black liner over the lid then the shadow. It was dark but not BLACK. You know what I mean. I was using my 120 warm palette and the two blacks look pretty dark. Is there something else I need to do? When I used primer it definitely didn't look black, more like dark grey. So, I decided that I need an extremely dark matte black shadow and you all are just the folks to help. HELP!
ps- I have also tried this look w the dark navy blue base then black on top too. WHAT AM I DOING WRONG
Sep 24, 2012
Ashley S.
The all natural face makes a black eyeshadow base. If you wear it under your shadow it should make it more intense. For brands, kleancolor, bare minerals, larenim and indie brands like detrivore make matte black shadows. These are all mineral companies so you can foil them so they're darker closer to your eye and gradually get more dry. Also, you might want to try bare minerals' black liner shadow, it might make a more substantial look
Sep 24, 2012
Michelle E.
Sugarpill black shadow... Nars black from the panda duo... Inglots black shadow are all very very black lol
Sep 25, 2012
Ashley S.
Eyeshadow Shade Names (arranged by price)
BM Liner Shadow in Onyx ($14)
Larenim in Ashes to Ashes ($9.49)
Fyrinnae in Snow White ($5.90)
Detrivore in Abyss ($5)
My personal favorite brand here is Fyrinnae but I've never used their black matte shadow. All but the bare minerals offer samples bags or mini sizes
Sep 25, 2012
Emily B.
Use a black kohl pencil or Black NYX Jumbo E/s pencil as a base, use a dense e/s brush to dab on the black shadow. Makeup Geek makes a nice new black shadow, Sugar Pill, Inglot, and Wet n Wild are a few to try;) Hope that helps
Sep 25, 2012
Kelly G.
I like Kat Von D or one I have from an English company called Lily Lolo. Also, I use a MAC paint in Existential (super dark gray) as a base. Did you use a cream shadow as a base? That will help intensify the color. I'm not sure of MAC makes that particular paint, but you could even use a big sweep of black gel liner as a cream shadow.
Sep 25, 2012
Jessi J.
The makeup geek brand of black eyeshadow is the most pigmented matte black I've come across x
Sep 25, 2012
Chrissy S.
MUFE are the BEST and they are very pigmented!
Sep 25, 2012
Jamie B.
Urban decay blackout is my go to matte black for a smokey eye
Sep 25, 2012
Jamila P.
MUG Corrupt all they way! It is like the blackhole of eyeshadow. MUFE's is fab but MUG's is $6 :-)
Sep 26, 2012
Sadie S.
Mac black carbon
Sep 26, 2012
Shelly T.
Agreeing with Jessi. Makeup Geek e/s in Corrupt.
Sep 26, 2012
Christy L.
Mac Carbon or Urban Decays blackout are both good
Sep 26, 2012
Nichole H.
Urban Decay's Blackout is phenomenal, then Sugarpill, 3rd best is Makeup Forever. Sugarpill's is cheapest with the most product for your dollar, but the others are easier to get. Do yourself a favor and go swatch Blackout.
Try putting a brown in the crease and blend the black up to the crease. It will keep the black more concentrated and you still get the smoky look.
Sep 26, 2012
Katrina M.
I've heard good things about both NYX and Wet and Wild's blacks. I use some Tarte one and its super black.
Sep 26, 2012
Toshira A.
Carbon by Mac for sure.
Sep 28, 2012
L D.
Thank you all. I am gonna try all these suggestions!
Sep 28, 2012
Sydneydale A.
I use Carbon by Mac. But it also could be the way you apply. In a patting motion, not blending will give you the densest/darkest pigment. Dark bases help as well!
Sep 28, 2012
Mary E.
MAC Paintpot in Blackground & MAC Nehru eyeshadow--matte black.
Sep 28, 2012
Rai C.
Milani Powder Eyeshadow in Pitch Black! It's intense and it's only $5.99!
Sep 28, 2012
Valentina R.
Inglot Blacks....