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Was Pat McGrath’s super simple trick for getting the cat eye liner on the Valentino spring 2012 couture runway so perfect?

In a short amount of time, Emma Stone has managed to impress us not only on-screen but on the red carpet as well.

Her peach Calvin Klein dress from last year’s Golden Globes, loved!  And that pink-on-red Giambattista Valli sweater/skirt combo have been etched into our minds for good.  Though she’s known for getting it just right it in the fashion department, it’s also hard not to notice her on-point hair and makeup choices, too.

When we met up with the “The Amazing Spider-Man” star last November, we claimed that Stone single-handedly “pioneered the hot pink lip trend.”  To that, she said she was honored.  Nonetheless, her take on beauty is always a combination of smart, sexy and cool, mostly because she’s mastered a formula that works for her: stand out cat-eye liner, and a bright lip.  Simple enough, and still so striking.

We’ve teamed up with celebrity makeup artist Beth Bender who’s broken down the steps behind Stone’s go-to look.

Cat eyes are easier than ever.  The days of using a credit card to achieve a straight line are over, and  the quicker, more modern way, is to use a cat eye stencil.  It creates a cat eye in a thick or thin version depending on your personal desire and fits any eye shape.  Most importantly it’s a huge time saver, and for those who count every minute, you will be pleasantly surprised.

To start, place the stencil marked “Cat Eye” over your eye and hold in place.  Holding it slightly above eyelid for a thicker line, and closer to the eyelid for a thinner line.  In this picture of Emma you would hold stencil above eyelid.

Next fill in with a powder shadow using a medium size eyeshadow brush that is slightly damp, and sweep color up into point of cat eye.  Remove stencil and repeat on the other eye. Make sure to wipe stencil with a tisuue before doing the other eye.

If you do not want to smoke your cat eye as seen here on Emma, then just leave as is.  You can apply an eyeliner sealant or gel liner over the powder/cat eye to prevent bleeding and keep it on for hours.

To give the cat eye a smoky finish, simply take your eyeshadow brush, and using a lighter shade sweep along the top of cat eye.  Highlight the brow bone with a contrasting color in a light beige or pale shimmery white and sweep the same lighter shade underneath the eye as well.

You can add a waterproof eyeliner pencil to the inside rim and dot in between bottom lashes before smudging slightly.  Mascara in black is a must.  Cheek and lips should remain neutral.

At the 17th Annual Critics Choice Awards in Los Angeles, Emma Stone’s shimmery blue eyeliner, courtesy of makeup artist Rachel Goodwin, caught our attention backstage.  According to Rachel navy-lined eyes are an easy way to baby step into the world of color.

She used a metallic blue for a more glamorous effect.  In the same way a chambray shirt and a pair of jeans will work with almost anything, blue eyeliner can be an unexpected neutral in your makeup bag.  Goodwin also noted that keeping the rest of your makeup low-key will prevent the pop of color from feeling dated.  So another words neutral lip, and cheeks.  She also suggested using an eyeliner stencil for anyone who finds the idea of getting their eyeliner just right, and recommended beth bender beauty’s Smoky Eye Quad in Brilliant Blues.

Bright Blue Cat-Eyeliner

When you think cat-eye, images of dramatic liquid liner come to mind. We love Olivia Palermo’s softer, less intense take at the British Fashion Awards in London.

Using a muted palette of browns and plum, Palermo’s lids are layered with shadows and extend out only slightly on the edges. The trick is in smudging the  shadow along the lower lashline and drawing it upwards towards the tail of the eyebrow, which lends a shapely but less dramatic effect than a true cat-eye liner look.  Create the cat eye shape with an eyeliner stencil first for a more precise line and then smudge with your brush.

Looking for some fresh makeup ideas to spice up your beauty routine during holiday party season? Look no further than the spring 2012 runways which were loaded up with fresh new ways to do the ultimate party makeup look: the cat eye.  Come check out 3 of our favorites and tell us if you’d try ‘em out.

Kohl cat: Peel your eyes off L.A.M.B.’s very runway-only hairstyle and focus on the gorgeous kohl cat eye action happening in this photo. A very dramatic idea, all on its own.  Pair with her bounciest curls or you sleekest chignon.  The guys will love it.

So dolls, what’s the verdict? Would you try any of these dramatic cat eye looks on for size?

 The Girls in the BSW Beauty Dept.

It may look easy but sometimes going without, is easier than going with.  And for those of us who are just beginning to need those reading glasses, even worse.  Getting it to come out even on both your eyes? Getting a perfectly smooth line? Getting that darn stuff to stay where you want it? What part of the whole “putting on eyeliner” process always seems to trip you up?

Black never goes out of style in fashion—or beauty.  This season, the sexy shade was used in a variety of ways that ranged from soft and sexy to smudgy and cool. Here are the hottest ways to wear it this fall.

For the eye makeup at Moschino, makeup artist Tom Pecheux mimicked the shape of the sunglasses in the collection, creating an exaggerated cat-eye.  To create the perfect shape, Pecheux drew the outline with black pencil and filled it in with matte black shadow, up to and over the crease.  Next, he added a shimmery black shade just on the lids that caught the light, evoking the effect of lenses in the sun.  “This is a more friendly, less aggressive way to wear black shadow, because it’s not so heavy or overdone,” he said.

Another way to create the cat-eye look on yourself is by using a cat eyeliner stencil. You can achieve the exact same eye makeup look simply by placing the cat eye stencil over your eyelid and filling in will color shadow. It’s that easy.

The Girls in the BSW Beauty Dept.

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More Beauty Looks; Good and Bad:

If This Isn’t The Sexiest Smoky Eye Look You’ve Seen This Week, Then Show Us One That Is!

Lindsay Lohan’s Somber Mugshot and Corpse-like Makeup

Scarlett Johansson Reveals One Of Her Beauty Secrets

We’re loving bold strokes of graphic liner for fall and the cat’s eye—or it’s more demure spin-off, the kitten eye—is at the top of the list.  Tyra Banks showed it off at the opening night of the 2011 Metropolitan Opera Season with flawless bronze blush and a nude lip.

Check Out Tyra Banks Cat Eyeliner

For best results,  create the cat eye shape on the upper lashline using a cat eye stencil before finishing with either a black shadow or a gel liner.  Simply place the stencil over your eyelid and then fill in with color.  You can add more color once the desired shape and thickness is achieved.

Hold the cat eyeliner stencil point up towards the end of brow bone to create the winged-tip effect.  Once you have done both eyes you can add extra shadow in the crease and two coats of volumizing mascara for added impact.  Meow!

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