Fall Look: Dramatic Purple and Black Winged Eye

Dramatic purple and black winged eye with Revlon Soft Nude Colorburst Lipstick.

This is a super-dramatic look inspired by images of Fall's dramatic eye liner looks, as well as Swarovski's Wings of Fantasy campaign visuals. It's something of a creative look, but if you're playing a mythical Black Swan for Halloween (not the movie version) this is a simpler and more wearable way to go about it.

Step 1: Use a pointed pencil brush to apply a line of blackened purple along the socket line. (I used a pigment I mixed up myself, but any black will do. Bring it almost to the inner corners but not quite so there's a bit of gap if you have a double-lid. If you have a mono-lid, you will probably need to carefully trace the hollow of your socket with a very light pencil first, as you can't follow your natural crease line as conveniently.

Step 2: The easier part is applying lines along the upper lash line (thickly) and lower lash line (thinner). IMPORTANT: Don't let the lower line touch the inner corner as well. We want a "wispy look" with this, so just end off a little under your natural eye line rather than right on it.
At the outer corner, extend the lower line straight up and out at the same angle as your eye line. Then just simply stop when it meets the top line at the crease. If you need to clean up around the lines, do so with a Q-tip dipped in oil-free remover.

Step 3: Fill in the space in between the 2 dark lines on your upper lid with a sparkly magenta or pink. Dampen your brush slightly so the pigments will adhere better.
Try MAC Reflects Pink if you want this look. If not, any other color and finish would work just as well, including mattes. Just make sure the color can be packed on intensely.

Step 4: Now the black at your lash line is probably faded and diffused, so go over it again with a smudge brush to reinforce the darkness.

Step 5: After applying pale yellow or white liner to the water line, add dramatic false lashes if you want. I used Eylure Nicola lashes, which are flared outwards at the outer corners, and add to the whole winged cat eye look.
Go over the lash band with black liquid liner to hide it if you need.

Finished Look: Note how the pale liner on the water line helps to keep the eye looking "open",. This is especially important if you don't have large eyes.
Also, I love how the dark smoky liner along the lower lashes tapers off slightly without touching the inner corner. This adds drama, and is also a trick to look like you're an expert at applying tapered lower liner. (Makeup artists draw this with a free hand and dip slightly downward at the inner corners, which can be really difficult to get even on both eyes.)

Fall Look: Pearls and Oysters (Greyscale makeup featuring MAC Vex Eye Shadow)

MAC Vex shadow with Coastal Scents Antique Silver mix* and Eylure Nicola lashes

I've always been fascinated by duochrome shadow shades, and it's no wonder that Vex is one of my all-time favorite shadows from MAC. It's a soft pale oyster grey with a pink shift, and has a texture very similar to my other favorite, Patina, in that the base is a satiny demi-matte, and the pearl sheen is very subtle.

Step 1: Start with a good eyeshadow base, and then pick up a generous amount of Vex shadow (or any pale pearl-grey) with a blending brush. Spritz the loaded brush with mixing medium like MAC Fix+ to foil the shadow and then buff it gently onto the inner half of the lids, extending down to the inner corners.

Step 2: Then pack a deeper gunmetal grey over the outer half of the lid, foiling it the same way you did the paler shade. I used a pressed pigment I mixed myself using a deep antique silver with pale violet sparks, but you can try MAC Softwash Grey (soft), MAC Scene (medium) or Urban Decay Gunmetal (deep).
Run along the lower lash line as well.

Step 3: Use a matte black shadow to line the upper lids in a slight wing, and  then use a blending brush to  deepen the outermost corners of the eyes for more contour if you're using a softer grey.

Step 4: Apply black liquid liner just along the upper lash line, and if you have a steady hand,  UNDER the lashes along the tide line, keeping just to the base of the lash roots. This will give you that absolutely black, super-thick lash line without having to overdo the liner. (If you go too far down, your liner will run into your eyes. Not fun.)
Then finish by curling lashes and applying dramatic false lashes, and mascara on the bottom lashes. I used Eylure Nicola lashes, which I love.

Final Look: Greyscale with a duo-tone twist. Perfect for that evening soiree.