This look shows how using a dark, coloured eyeshadow base can help create a relatively simple and quick smokey purple eye.  This type of look is perfect for a special occasion, evening out or for days when you want to add extra ‘oomph’ to your eyes.  Here’s how to re-create this look:

Products

Base: MAC Imaginary Paint Pot (satin dark purple)
Lid: MAC Moth Brown eyeshadow (dark satin blackened purple)
Outer v: MAC Typographic (muted matte black)
Blend out Crease: Urban Decay Sting eyeshadow (medium satin hot pink)
Highlight: MAC Blanc Type eyeshadow (light matte cream beige)
Black mascara (upper and lower lashes)
Cheeks: Illamasqua Naked Rose blusher (pale dusky neutral pink)
Lips: Revlon Colourstay Lip Butter in Berry Smoothie (medium rose pink)

Steps

1. Apply Imaginary Paint Pot to the lid, keeping the area from the crease to the browbone free of colour.  You can either use your fingers or a flat synthetic brush (e.g. MAC 242).  I find that using a brush makes it easier to apply and blend dark eyeshadow bases on the lid.  You can also apply a neutral toned eyeshadow (e.g. MAC Painterly) to the browbone/area above Imaginary if you find it difficult to blend out darker eyeshadow bases.

2. Take a flat synthetic brush (e.g. MAC 242) and apply a thin line of Imaginary Paint Pot along the lower lashline.  Applying colour to the lower lashline helps to balance out the dark colours on the lid.

3. Take a flat shader brush (e.g. MAC 239) and apply Moth Brown on to the eyelid using a gentle patting motion.

4. Take a crease/blender brush (e.g. MAC 217) and lightly apply Typographic to the outer v.  This step adds extra smokiness to the eyes.

5. Take Sting onto a crease/blender brush (e.g. MAC 217) and use this to blend out the edges of the crease colour.  Applying a hot pink to this area adds some contrast to the dark shades on the eyelid.

6. Using a crease/blender brush (e.g. MAC 217) or a pointed crease brush (e.g. MAC 226), sweep Blanc Type on to the browbone to highlight and further blend out the edges of the crease colour.  Using the same brush, apply Blanc Type to the inner corners to help brighten the eyes.

7. Take an angled eyeliner brush (e.g. MAC 266) and apply Moth Brown along the lower lashline.  Using the same brush, apply a little Typographic to the outer lower lashline.

8. Apply black mascara to the top and bottom lashes.

9. Apply Naked Rose blusher to the cheeks to provide a natural glowy effect.  I used a pale, dusky pink for this step as I wanted to highlight the cheekbones but still keep things natural due to the strong colours on the eyes.

10. Apply Berry Smoothie lipstick to the lips.  I chose a rose pink for this step to complement the pink and purple tones on the eyes.

Here are two more pictures of the finished look: