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The Perfect Smoky eyes anytime of the year can be a challenge when you are trying to re-create something from a magazine, or the runway. The trick to achieving them not only requires the right eye shadows, but also the right tools.

A good brush set is a good place to start. You really only need a few to do a smoky eye. The first is a full size shadow brush for all over color, or to apply color to the eyelid, the second is a blender brush for applying color to the crease of eye, and the third is a smudge brush that softens the color (especially under the eye) and gives them their alluring look.

Once you have selected and purchased your brushes, keeping them in good condition will depend on how you care for them, and will also play a very big role in the actual application of your smoky eyes. Brushes that are used everyday, and more than once, should be cleaned at least twice a month.

To clean your brushes, you can buy a brush cleanser like Bobbi Brown’s which is the best, or use a gentle shampoo, and using just a drop placed in the palm of your hand, dampen your brush, and swirl it around into the shampoo. Rinse under luke warm water until the color runs off the brush. Try to get only the brush hairs wet, and squeeze out any excess water before placing your brush on a shelf so that the hairs are not touching, and are extended beyond the width of shelf.

beth bender beauty's Smoky Eye Brush Set

Once your smoky eyes start to look muddy, you’ll know it’s time to clean your brushes. Click here to check out some popular trends in summer beauty, and get step by step tips on how to create sexy, smoky eyes with ease.

* Get Nicole Scherzinger’s Sultry, Smoky Eyes

* Sexy cat eyeliner and how to get it with ease

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When it comes to colorful eye makeup, overdoing it is an understatement, and can make the difference between looking like a circus clown, or getting it just right as in the case of Rachelle Lefevre seen here. To get this look it’s always best to layer the color so you get the perfect application.

Rachelle Fevere Gives Us Sultry Eyes

Our resident make-up artist and beauty expert Beth Bender suggests starting first by lining your eyes with a waterproof black pencil, her favorite is benefit’s BADgal eyeliner, followed by a bright blue pencil. Continue by sweeping your choice of a violet-blue matte or shimmer shadow over your lids. “Shimmer shadows are alot easier to work with and for first timers will be easier to blend if the color becomes too intense” say Beth. “I like to use my Big Sexy Eyes Kit because you can build the color and the shimmers are easier to apply.”

The Big Sexy Eyes Kit

Make sure to avoid getting too close to the brows, which can end up looking very theatrical and definitely not glamorous. To finish your red carpet look you can dust a little silver shadow on the inner corners of eyes and below the bottom lashline to brighten your eyes.

Beth’s Beauty Tip: “I like to use my fingers to apply the first layer of color, especially if it’s a shimmer and then go back and blend with a brush”.  Use a Q-tip with a drop of eye cream to clean up any eyeshadow that may have fallen, and before applying concealer. You can add a few individual lashes at the ends of each eye for added glamour.”

Look what’s hot from Stila

STILA TAKES A FRONT ROW WITH THEIR LATEST PALETTE

Inspired by the design house Marchesa which was one of the Fall 2008 runway shows that Stila created the looks for.  After creating a smoky-eyed look for the Fall 2008 runway show they decided to take it from backstage to the streets with a rosette-adorned palette that captures Marchesa’s feminine spirit – and benefits the Step Up Women’s Network.

We just love this kit and the colors are neutral enough for any complexions. Check out the kit and don’t forget to enter Lucky Magazines Lucky Breaks this month. You might just win one, but if you can’t wait get yours at Stila.com.

Pair up your Smoky Eye Kit from Stila with a set of beth bender beauty smoky eyeliner stencils. Create perfect smoky eyes that will have you runway ready in no time. The only eye liner stencils you will ever need for gorgeous smoky eyes. Receive a full size lip love in Maya when you purchase the Travel Stencils or any beth bender beauty products.