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By Ezinne Onyearugha.

kerry washington smoky eye — Credit: spoiledpretty.com

On those nights when you got a special date and you just want to WOW him, you should learn how to apply that alluring/seductive type of makeup. These are ways to get to where you ought to be for that beautiful night.

Always start with clean and moisturized skin: This is the only way you can create flawless skin that seems to glow from within.
Begin to apply your correct shade of foundation: Check to see if it is your correct shade by applying a little to your jaw line. If it matches your skin with little or no blending, then I’m sure you’ll know what to do. I normally use liquid, and then set with loose powder. Use your fingers or a dampened sponge to blend in your concealer (a shade or two lighter) under your eyes and on blemished areas that the foundation did not really cover.
Use your blush brush and sweep your choice of color of blush: away from your cheekbones towards your hairline (if you have an oval face) or from your hairline towards your cheekbones (if you have a round face). You can also try using a gel or cream blush and just use your fingers to pat on the apples of your cheeks.
Now the eyes: This is for the smoky eye look. Start off with your lids well-primed. Use a black liner on the lower lash line. Then use a black gel pencil or cream as a base on the upper lids. Apply up to the crease of the lids. Use a flat brush and gently pat on black eye shadow on the black base. This creates a very intense effect and lasts for hours, trust me. You can either use a bright color such as blue, pink or green and apply to the crease or you could just skip that step and just apply a skin tone color from the crease to the eyebrow bone or just a metallic color. Ensure you are blending properly in between these steps. Apply 2/3 coats of mascara. Fill in your brows with a pencil or shadow that matches the color of your brow with short even strokes that kind of mimic your brow hair. Go over with a brow gel.
What color you choose for your lips: This is certainly up to you but I’d suggest you use a nude like color so balance out the smoky eyes since they are going to give off that pretty intense look. Put on some clear lip gloss right at the center of your lips to give it that sexy pout and VOILA!! You are ready for a fantastic date!

About the Author A young and upcoming “makeup nerd” from Lagos, Nigeria, residing in the United States, Ezinne Onyearugha (preferably called Z-ni) has always had a natural sense of style and diverse creative ability. When Z-ni began to show her interest in makeup about four years ago, she quickly established a reputation for flawless makeup application. Her style is influenced by her favorite make-up artists, Kevyn Aucoin and Bobbi Brown. You are welcome to view her work at www.facebook.com/femmefatalebeautybyzni.