Lavender Smoke: MAC Crystal, Shale, Grape and Macroviolet

Purple Smoke: MAC Crystal, Shale and Grape pigment, with Macroviolet Fluidline

This look layers mulitple shades of silvery purples for a look that's monochromatic but not monotonous. 

If you own Lime Crime's Chinchilla lipstick or like that middle-ground between purples and greys, this is a look that goes with it. 

Clockwise from top: MAC Crystal, MAC Shale, MAC Grape pigment, blend of MAC Frozen White pigment and Reflects Transparent Pink, Lime Crime Chinchilla lipstick, and MAC Palladium Metal X Cream Shadow

Step 1: Apply MAC Shale, or any smoky grey-purple to the two outer corners of the eyes, and along the lower lash line.

Step 2: Pack a soft silvery violet in the centre. MAC Crystal is a beautiful option because it's a duochrome light grey with a violet sheen. It's not the most pigmented shadow around, so you will need to pack and layer a few times to build up intensity.

Step 3:  Deepen the corners with a touch of Grape pigment (I'm using the limited edition Crushed Metal version, but you can use the normal one).

Step 4: Dip the brush tip into more grape pigment and then smoke out the edges of the eye look.

Step 5: Using a blunt tipped detail brush, apply a deep metallic purple gel liner (MAC Macroviolet) thickly along upper and lower lash lines. Build up the line so it looks thick and solid. Leave out any flicks and the outer corners.

Step 6: Curl lashes and apply mascara. Then dust a translucent glittery violet to the brow bones and tops of cheek bones. 

Featured Shade: Matte Purple Shadow

Colors to pair a matte purple shadow with!

A good matte dusty-purple is hard to find. Purple is one of those colors that I find to be more flattering in a matte or satin finish. Sparkly or metallic purple can look a bit too garish for work and school, but a dusty lavender grey is a much better option.

My favorites are Everyday Minerals Matte Eye Shadow in Tide Pool (limited edition, unfortunately), and Urban Decay Matte Eyeshadow in Cult (slightly deeper purple). This is a quick run down of some foolproof shades to pair matte purple with.

Everyday Minerals Tide Pool Eye Shadow (Matte)

Purple on Purple: Pale silvery-purple with a deeper smoky purple look great together.  Swatches: MAC Crystal (left), and Tide Pool (right)

Champagne and Purple: The contrast of a pale glimmering gold with a smoky purple is gorgeous. Swatches: MAC Retrospeck (left) and Tide Pool (right).

Chocolate and Berries: Nothing goes with purple as well as a rich cocoa when you want a more sophisticated look. Swatch: MAC Cement (left), and Tide Pool (right).

Bronze on Purple: For instant drama, an ambery, metallic bronze shadow or glitter  paired with a matte purple  can really play up your eyes.  Swatches: NYX Pearl Mania in Oro Pearl (left) and Tide Pool (right).