Get the look: Taylor Swift

America’s sweetheart recently stepped out without her trademark curls, opting for a sleek do and a sexy smoky eye.

When creating a smoky eye, it can help to complete eye make-up before applying foundation. This keeps the area under the eyes nice and bright, and free of eye shadow “fall down” that can occur during application.

Start by applying an eye base like a M.A.C Paint Pot all over the eye lid to the crease. Try the shade “Groundwork”, a lovely taupe that works well as a base to any look. This will prevent your shadow from creasing, and keep your eye make-up in place all day and night. Apply a pale cream shimmer shadow from the crease to the brow bone, and down into the inner corner of the eye.

Using a flat eye shadow brush, pick up a small amount of darker shadow (Taylor is wearing a bronze / brown shade). Pat this over the eyelid, into the crease, and take some along the lower lash line on a smaller brush. Repeat if you desire more intensity, then blend the edges gently with a domed eye shadow blending brush. Use light circular motions over the edge of the dark shadow, and blend up and out to create a slightly winged-out look. 

Apply black eyeliner to the top lash line and take a little bit underneath the eye, blending in with the shadow. Finish with two coats of black mascara to the upper and lower lashes, and apply a half-set of false eye lashes. Line the lower waterline with a nude or white pencil to make eyes pop.

After eye make-up application, clean up under the eyes with a cleansing wipe and apply primer, foundation and concealer. Pat under the eyes with a fingertip or small brush to conceal without disturbing eye shadow. You may need to blend over the edges again after your base application. Get Taylor’s velvet skin finish by setting your foundation with a weightless powder (Try M.A.C Prep and Prime powder). Keep blush and lips neutral; think peachy-nude shades.

Taylor’s soft fringe and tamed locks look sophisticated and suit her sultry make-up. If you are thinking of getting a fringe cut, keep in mind that daily styling is a must to keep it looking tidy. To get your fringe sitting beautifully, blow dry into place with a large round brush. If your fringe tends to sit to one side, blow-dry it to the opposite side and clip it down while it cools.

Further smooth the fringe with a GHD iron, moving it through the hair in a slight curve. Create loose curls through the rest of the hair with a large curling tong or GHD irons, and brush these out to create a slight wave. Using a styling spray will protect hair from heat damage and give great hold; try KMS Free Shape Hot Flex Spray on damp hair pre-styling. Finish the look with a light spritz of hairspray.   


By Stephanie Coulter