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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.

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We are just loving Kate Hudson as a ’60s fashion reporter in Nine, but at a recent appearance on the Late Show With David Letterman Kate proved she could sport another decade just as perfectly.

“The look was a sexy eye with a little ’80s glam,” says makeup artist Beth Bender, who has worked with Kate and loves her in smoky eyes. To get the look Beth suggests starting with a charcoal shadow and applying in the crease, next add a wash of silver blue shadow on the lid and inner corner, and finish by lining the eyes with a gel waterproof liner. Waterproof liners work best when you’re rocking a heavy eye, and they don’t budge even if your eyes tear.

You can add some glam to the bottom lashes by layering your silver and charcoal shadow, and finishing with two generous coats of black mascara.

Lots of celebrities loving beth bender beauty this holiday season. See what they’re  loving and their newest beauty must haves.

Hilary Duff, the go to girl for smoky eyes is loving this newest palette in Santa Fe At Sunset. Each Eye Shadow kit comes with everything you need to get smoky eye ready.

Scarlett Johansson is still loving her Baby Blush. Custom blended colors that go on and stay on. Check out the perfect eyeliner she’s sporting. Also a Get in Line lover too!

Kelly Clarkson is loving her Have Stencils Will Travel Set. Perfect for On-the-go girls like Kelly who love to get glamorous but don’t have lots of time to do it. Each set comes with everything you need to create Rockstar eyes.

Tyra Banks is feeling her SGB Eyeliner Kit in warm gold & bronze tones, and giving us gorgeous smoky eyes that are Red Carpet Ready baby! This gal is no stranger when it comes to beauty & fashion.

Avril Lavigne is still loving her Get in Line Eyeliner & Stencil Kit in its original palette. So perfect for the very striking smoky-cat eyes which she has mastered no doubt!

Use your Friends & Family savings from beth bender beauty to purchase any of these must have beauty items. Enter the code 16bbff at check out to receive this extra holiday gift and save, save, save!

On Location in Los Angeles…Make-up artist Melanie  Mills is creating gorgeous smoky eyes this season on Dancing With The Stars using the BFF and OMG! Kits from beth bender beauty.  Celebrities like Kim Kardashian, Brooke Burke and Toni Braxton are already singing the praises of these kits and the famous smoky eye stencil that started it all. Time as you know is of the essence with a show like this and having a tool that allows you to do a sexy smoky eye in seconds is a must. Also making a repeat performance are the Hollywood favs’ Chasing the cash and Paris is Burning Lip Glazes.

Seen here Kim Kardashian and Lance Bass both appearing on DWTS this fall

-Maya Stewart for beth bender beauty

Rachel McAdams Red Carpet Smoky Eyes    

Rachel McAdams blazed the red carpet this week with shimmer-rimmed eyes topped by loads of matte charcoal smoky shadow. Her eyes purred with perfection and she got a big thumbs up from us for a super gorgeous smoky-cat eye.

Beth says it’s all about where you place the color that will give you the look you desire. She suggests mixing a dark chocolate and charcoal eyeshadow together and applying from the outer corner of eye using a soft eye shadow brush. Bring it back toward the iris and blend into the crease to create the smoky-cat eye look seen here on Rachel.

An even easier way to get this look is to use the cat eye Stencil from the Get in Line Eyeliner Kit (both shadows included) placing it higher on the eyelid will give you a thick and smoky cat eye with a strong point on the outer eye like Rachel’s. Soften the edges with your eyeshadow brush and finish with an icy shadow near the inner corner of the eye that extends to the iris and sweep the color on the lower lashline too. Try Abyssinia, a delicate pearl sheen shadow from NARS.

For added eye popping appeal use a black gel eyeliner to line along the lashline. Apply to the outer eye area and blend into the center of eyes rather than lining the entire eye. Repeat the same on the bottom. Try Onyx Stay Put gel Eyeliner, $18 at bethbenderbeauty.com

You’ve got sexy smoky cat eyes baby!