Makeup tutorial

Achieving the perfect 'smokey eyes'

By Earl D.C. Bracamonte

With the Miss Universe Philippines organization closing its application deadline before midnight on Feb 22, aspirants, especially those who will qualify for the first cut, are preparing themselves for the challenges ahead.

Over the weekend, aspirants from the Aces & Queens camp continued their makeover sessions with hair & makeup advocate Jim Ryan Ros at the swanky Culture Salon in Bonifacio High Street. At every stage of the competition, aspirants are expected to look good. And part of looking good is flawless, on-point makeup.

Ask any former titlist and they'll all tell you that the road to the crown is not an easy one. And applying makeup all by yourself, especially if you're a beginner, is a challenge in itself. As they say, practice makes perfect.

During their latest makeup lecture session, Jim Ryan Ros taught the girls how to achieve the perfect smokey eyeshadow that would last throughout any competition. For this session, Miss Charm Philippines 2019 Ashley Subijano Montenegro was his live canvas.

After applying the primer and foundation that's right for your skin. Set your base with powder. Brush and fill your brows to its perfect arch.

Before doing your eyes though, apply your blush on, so that, if you really have to hie-off and go, even if your makeup is unfinished, you'll still have a made up look.

To achieve a long lasting smokey eyeshadow, apply, first, black eyeliner (preferably the cream variety) on your lids, from the lash line to the crease of your lower brow, leaving ample space for your highlights and contour colour. Using a clean brush, be sure to blend the edges of your lids before the eyeliner dries out. You still need to blend the edges even if you opt to use a pencil in filling out your lids.

Next, dab dark eyeshadow (black, dark brown, midnight blue, charcoal gray) over the blended eyeliner to set it in. The trick in applying is to pat and dab so it doesn't smear at the corners of your eyes and face. This works the same way as setting your foundation with powder. This assures longevity. If you want to be safe from smears, simply dab a line of loose powder below your eyes 

Apply highlights on your brow bone, right below your eyebrows. Now, apply the contour color (preferably a pearlized tone) on the crease between lids and brow bone without touching both the highlights and eyeliner. With a clean brush, blend the contour color outward towards your temples.

Apply eyeliner on your lower lash. Dab a trace of your contour color over your lower lid eyeliner and blend.

Finish off your look with a translucent (next to natural) lip shade to bring out the dramatic effect of your eyeshadow. Now, you're ready for coronation night!

Smokey eyes is a very versatile eye shadow that you can wear from mid afternoon to the late hours of the night

Or, in the case of beauty queens, from production/opening number to the coronation ceremonies.

The 2022 Miss Universe Philippines final show is scheduled on April 30. Stay tuned!