Beauty – Theatrical Smokey Eyes & Red Lips

These photos are a biiiiiiiiig step back in time, to a Summer’s day spent in Glyndebourne watching La Traviata and enjoying a countryside picnic. Before the show (and before the picnic), I was invited backstage to observe and photograph as one of the dancers was getting prepped for the performance. This is a great look to share with you since smokey eyes are basically a thing of magic and a secret skill only a few people seem to master. While taking a million photos, I tried to remember the process in the hope of recreating it myself and perhaps even putting it in a video for you but so far I haven’t succeeded in creating something that dramatic without looking like a raccoon (I did make an “Easy Smokey Eye” video a few months back if you fancy watching). Below is a step by step photo-account of the style. 

Recreate the look
!function(d,s,id){var e, p = /^http:/.test(d.location) ? ‘http’ : ‘https’;if(!d.getElementById(id)) {e = d.createElement(s);e.id = id;e.src = p + ‘://’ + ‘widgets.rewardstyle.com’ + ‘/js/shopthepost.js’;d.body.appendChild(e);}if(typeof window.__stp === ‘object’) if(d.readyState === ‘complete’) {window.__stp.init();}}(document, ‘script’, ‘shopthepost-script’);

JavaScript is currently disabled in this browser. Reactivate it to view this content.
A very different set of tools: theatrical make-up needs more drama and more coverage, so we are miles away from the light formulas we use daily!
Starting with a solid base, everything is primed, concealed, topped with foundation and set with powder
Then we start with the eyes, darker outer corners and blending in
Lining the bottom lid with kohl and smudging with a brush
Tidying up the lot, it runs a LOT!

Next step is to give a bit of definition to the face with a light bronzer
Almost there…

Final step: lip liner and a mix of two MAC reds (a deep, wine red and a brighter one)

All photos taken with my Olympus Pen EP-5 and zoom lens.
Mademoiselle Robot is an Olympus Ambassador.

Follow: