The Secret To Seductive Eye Make-Up

With respect to make-up, what you consider sexy is subjective: it could be a red lip, glowing, bronzed skin, or even a bold brow. But there’s no denying the eyes play a significant role in the realm of seduction. It’s a known fact that when you’re attracted to someone, your pupils dilate as a response. Therefore, it’s only natural to associate sexiness to eye make-up. So, when you want your eyes to look extra sultry, what are the looks to try? Beauty Daily breaks down the best seductive eye looks for you.

1. The feline flick

We can’t talk about seductive eye make-up without a mention of a 50s feline flick of liner. Make-up artists have been known to spend ages perfecting this kind of look.

• Apply a pale, shimmery eyeshadow across your eyelids to brighten them up. Then, stick on a half set of false eyelashes on the outer corners of the eyes to make them seem almond-shaped.
• Trace your upper lash line with a brown eyeliner like the Waterproof Eye Pencil in 02 Chestnut, and create a flick. Press a chocolate-hued powder eyeshadow on top to soften the line.
• Blend a cool brow powder eyeshadow on a small brush along the lower lash line to add subtle definition and balance the heavy upper eyelid.
• Run a nude or white eyeliner along the lower lash line to make the eyes look brighter.

2. A classic cat-eye

If false eyelashes aren’t for you, you can create the illusion of a heavy upper eyelid with just a simple winged eyeliner.

• Use a felt tip liner in a carbon black shade like the Graphik Ink Eyeliner to trace along your upper lash line, from the inner corners to the outer corners.
• At the outer corner, extend the line to create a wing – angled towards the end of your brow.
• Connect the tip of the wing back to the lash line and thicken the rest of your eyeliner.
• Coat both top and bottom lashes in mascara. Two coats will give you added volume.

For a detailed look at how to do a winged eyeliner, read: The Beginner’s Guide to Winged Eyeliner.

3. Bedroom eyes

There’s nothing sexier than a slightly smudgy kohl-rimmed eye. The only rule to abide by to create a lived-in, morning-after look? Embrace imperfection. Make sure all edges are blurred and hazy but don’t make it too perfect.

• Line your upper lash line and waterline with a kohl pencil like the Crayon Khôl in Carbon Black.
• Use a small brush to smudge the kohl lightly. You could also use your finger or a cotton swab to blur any hard lines. Follow up with a second layer for more intensity.
• Define the eye sockets with a matte brown eyeshadow. Sweep what’s left on the brush along the lower lash line to emphasise the hazy effect.
• Press some champagne eyeshadow in the inner corners to make the eyes look brighter. Dab a hint of it on the centre of the lids as well.
• Finish with tons of mascara.

4. Soft smoke

A smokey eye doesn’t always require four different shades of eyeshadow. Sometimes, all it takes is one good eyeshadow to create the most sultry look.

• Find a cream eyeshadow in an earthy shade that suits you — it could be a warm brown, charcoal, or even a plum. We like the Satin Shadow in Purple Rain, a purply red-brown with a satin finish.
• Apply it across the eyelids and along the lower lash line. Use a blending brush to diffuse the colour into the crease and sweep it outwards in a winged shape.
• Define the lash line with a pencil eyeliner in a brown or plum shade.
• Curl your lashes and apply a thin coat of mascara.

Seductive eyes: tips to master the look

The smudgier, the better

A small smudging brush will be your best friend when you’re trying to recreate any of these looks. Use it to soften your kohl pencil and blend away harsh edges of eyeshadow.

Choose earth tones

While a smokey blue eye can be fun, nothing is sexier than an earthy colour palette. Eyeliner and eyeshadows in brown, charcoal and rust shades are great picks to lighten up a smokey effect.

Emphasise your lashes

Your lashes frame your eyes, so don’t skip mascara. Choose a formula that provides ample volume like the Supra Volume Mascara to coat both top and bottom lashes. For a doe-eyed effect, add an extra layer of mascara on the lashes along with the outer corners of your eyes with the end of your mascara wand.

Prime & powder

Yes, you’re going for a lived-in look. But to keep the make-up from smudging more than you want it to, prime your eyelids with an eyeshadow base. Also, use a powder to set any make-up (foundation or concealer) applied around the eye area.

Keep the skin dewy

Fresh glowing skin will make your sultry eye make-up stand out more. To achieve this, apply an illuminating primer like the SOS Primer in 00 Universal Light — post-moisturiser and pre-foundation.

Trying to perfect the smokey eye? Read our full story on the expert way to do smokey eye make-up.