Get The Look: Glammy Glam Eyes

{How To}

photography by Angela Anderson

I love this picture because I'm just transfixed by Holly's eyes. Doesn't every girl want to be transfixing? Abso-freaking-lutely. Here is a quick step-by-step guide for a transfixable flutter:

1. Base

YSL Touche Éclat in #2, $40; sephora.com

Consider this more of a brightener rather than a highlighter. There's no shimmer effect involved so it creates a great base that's lighter than a concealer and has more holding power than a shadow. Swipe evenly over lids, up to brow bone and under eyes.

2. Shadow

Eye Shadow Pan in Dune, $18; stilacosmetics.com

I swept a shimmery champagne shadow with lilac undertones over the lids. It's neutral enough so you can really amp up liner and lashes without looking too "makeupy." After all, this is a wedding look. The shimmer gives it just enough depth and catches the light nicely for photographs. It feels very ethereal. 

3. Liner

Écriture de Chanel Eyeliner, $34; chanel.com

This stuff is ridonculous. If you're intimidated by liquid liner, I highly recommend this one. It's like it has training wheels because the click pen dispenses just enough product and the brush is stiff enough to be forgiving if your hand wobbles. Curl lashes first to keep liner from smudging. Beginner's tip: trace regular black liner on first with a pencil and use it as a guide for the liquid. 

(Note: I actually used a transformer liquid and a black shadow for the liner. Transformers convert powder shadows into liquid. Just use an angle brush, wet with transformer, dip in shadow, voila! Liquid liner. But I think the Chanel liner is easier if you're starting out)

4. False Lashes

Ardell Duralash Naturals in Flare Short Black, select drugstores

These are my go-to for false lashes. Strips will give you more of a Kim Kardashian look. I prefer a slightly more natural look but if you want to feel like a full-out glamazon, go for the strips. I use tweezers and dip each cluster in glue, let it dry for about 15 seconds until it's tacky, and apply to the outer corner of the eye, working your way in until you get near the middle. Once they're dry and set, gently (I repeat, gently) curl lashes. This is just to help them form a similar shape as your real ones.

5. Mascara

L'Oreal Telescopic Explosion Mascara, select drugstores

I actually used three different mascaras. Not necessary but it does pay off. The mascara pictured above is new. I grabbed a tube at Wal-Mart for a test drive and fell in love. It gets baby lashes and the hard to reach corners better than anything on the market. Also great for bottom ones. Then I layered with Armani Eyes to Kill and Maybelline Falsies Waterproof. I chose those three because you have a lengthening, volumizing (with waterproof formula), and smaller brush for hard to reach spots. Always finish with waterproof if you think you might be a little teary-eyed. Do 20 coats if you want, just build away until you get megawatt lashes.

6. Highlighter

Chanel Ruban Perlé in Moonlight

Unfortunately, this highlighter is discontinued. It's devastating because it's one of my all-time favs. The next best thing I've found on the market is NARS The Multiple in Luxor. Dab a pearly highlighter on the inner corner of the eye and sweep lightly on the brow bone.