Black Glossy Eyes a la Lily Allen: my take!

Hello everyone!

Hope you 're all well and having a great weekend so far!

So, this post is going to be somewhat different from my usual neutral looks: all black and very dramatic, perfect if you want to add some last-minute drama to your scary (or not) Halloween outfit!

The inspiration behind this look was an editorial from Elle UK 2009, featuring Lily Allen. The makeup and her blonde wig were the two things that stood out the most in my opinion, making a striking antithesis. If you have seen this editorial, I 'm sure you know what I 'm talking about!

I 've tried to replicate this look in the past a couple of times, but wasn't happy with the results, mainly because I 'm still a huge noob when it comes to trying something outside my safety zone and which requires more of a technical approach than just combining pretty colors together.

So, after a few trials and errors, I came up with this:




Pretty much what the title says: black, glossy eyes.

If you 'd like to try this look yourself, here's what you need to do:
- Apply a black base on your lids, doesn't have to be neat, since you 'll be blending it afterwards to create the shape you want. I used NYX Jumbo pencil in Black Bean, but a paint pot or another base would work just as well.
- Add some black eyeshadow over that base, to build the intensity of the color. I used MAC Carbon (I preferred a matte/non glittery or shimmery e/s for this step).
- Dont forget to place the black eyeshadow all along your lower lashline as well.
- Line your waterline with a black pencil and your upper lashline (gel liner would be ideal for that).
- Add your mascara as per usual.
- And finally, the key step to this whole look: adding some gloss on your upper lid. I used clear lip gloss for this, since I 'm not lucky enough to own an eye gloss (I remember Chanel had released a fancy eye palette with a black shade a few seasons ago, wish I had gotten that). Do not go overboard with the gloss, you only need a very small amount!

Done!

Now, this look will crease - badly. If you are too fussy about that, then this is definitely not a look for you. However, I think that this adds to the overall effect: sexy, worn-in, slightly messy rock chick makeup. It's not really perfect, because it's not meant to be!

Obviously, I 'm not making a groundbreaking discovery here with this post, glossy eye looks have been around for a while now, I just thought I 'd share my (amateur) take with you!
If you 'd like to see some actual professionals doing this look and pick up a few more tricks, I stronly suggest this Pixiwoo video and this post by my dear Georgia!

So, do let me know what you think?
Would you try this look?

What's your opinion?

  1. I like it!!Though I could never pull it off!In the best way I'd look like (shadow all over the place)but you did a great job hun!!It looks so gorgeous!!!
    Μου αρεσουν οι αλλαγες σου!!
    Keep doing the great job and more looks!!!:)
    hugs and kisses!!!

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  2. I love the black glossy eye look!! Great job! X

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  3. wooo yay u did it!! I love it!!! Did you wear it out? You did a great job, and I remember seeing that pic in elle, as a matter of fact I tore it out and kept it. Thanks for the shout out too and well done for braving the glossy eye :) x

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  4. Oooo I love it on you! It looks exactly like Lily :) And you're blond so it's extra striking, like you said! I really like the messy, undone look personally. I never do it myself (because I'm boring), but I really like it. I should give it a go for a night out or something!

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  5. Looks really glam rock!
    Could vaseline be used instead of gloss?
    Love this eye look on you!
    Filakia!

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  6. I liiiiike. Very rock n roll :)

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  7. I loved how it turned out...the glossiness makes it look so cool!

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  8. looks amazing! you're making me want to grab a juicy tube and put it all over my eyelids :D xx

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  9. You did a great job, and it brings out your eyes in a very "wild" way! I wouldn't recommend going out with it though, these looks are mostly intended for photo shoots were constant touch-ups prevent the glossy mess! I'd love to see more dramatic looks from you, you look sexyyyy!!! :P
    xxx

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  10. Wowwwwww I love ittttttttt!!!!!! I'd like to see more dramatic looks from you as well!! :)

    xxx

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  11. www teleio!!!8a to kanw k egw

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  12. @Blushingloves: Thank you for that lovely comment Ειρηνη μου! Very happy that you liked it! Yes, it's definitely a very dramatic look - perhaps for a night out with the hubby? :) Will try to keep it up w the looks, thanks for the encouragement! xxx


    @CocoBella: Thank you girl! :) xoxo


    @Georgia: Well, it took me ages, but I did it, as promised! ;) Actually, looking at it right now, I wish I had winged out the eye a bit more and maybe done some more creasework, even though there doesn't seem to be much of that on the editorial... I tried to be loyal to Lily's look as possible! Oh well, live and learn, right?
    Actually, I was going to wear it out, but I ended up staying in! Lol! Some other time! :)
    PS:Thanks for the push, this really makes me think that more dramatic, technical looks aren't impossible after all! xx


    @ellamarie84: Thank you Hol (if I may call u that, haha)! Yes, I do enjoy smudged, messier looks myself, even though I always admire those perfect looks with great blending etc! You should definitely try it out, it can take a little bit taking used to (take it from sm1 who does boring looks 99.9% of the time), but it's totally worth it! xxx

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  13. @Ria: Lol, you 're actually right, it is pretty glam rock, all I needed was a sequined top and some leather pants, huh? :DDD
    Yes, vaseline would work great too, especially if you could mix some black pigment in it, would be a great alternative! xxx


    @Gemma: Thank you sweets! :) xoxo


    @WillWorkForMakeup: Yes, it's definitely all about the glossiness, when first applied it almost looks like tar on your lids - so cool! x


    @Sophie: Haha! Noo! Not with a Juicy Tube, those r too nice to use on your lids! Haha!
    Thank you for your nice comment! x

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  14. @Pasiphae: Yeah, I know what you mean, I had to make a mental note to not touch or rub anywhere near my eyes, since I wore it for a few hours after taking the photos, and let me tell you, it wasn't easy!!! However, I 'd still love to try it again for a night out - I 'd just have to make sure that my hair isn't gonna get in the way, lol!
    Thank you for the support, I 'll definitely post sth when inspiration (or imitation) strikes, lol! xxx


    @Stavroula @drugstoreandbargainlover: Thank you dear, I 'll try! Although not sure if there's many looks that could get more dramatic than this! Lol! xx


    @kot-itsa: Σ' ευχαριστω! Καλη επιτυχια με το look σου! :) xx

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  15. Hehe I didn't mean more dramatic than this, I meant more looks that are dramatic! You have blue (with a hint of green? I'm not sure) eyes, so a bronzey smokey eye would look great on you! :)

    xxx

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  16. Wow, that sounds so easy yet it looks so elaborate!!! I'll definitely try this out next week- at least in the safe premises of my bedroom, lol!

    xx

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  17. @lydi: Thank you girl! :)


    @Stavroula @drugstoreandbargainlover: Lol, I know, I was just thinking in terms of color, can't get more dramatic than black! But, I know what you mean!
    My eyes are grey-ish, so, yes, a bronzey look would be nice, perhaps I could make sth along those lines in the future! :) xx


    @cbsg5861: The theory behind it is easy once you know what to put on top of what, it's the application that takes time, working with pitch black colours calls for extra precision! Pls do let me know what you think when you try it! xxx

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  18. It's gorgeous and fun esp for an evening out :)
    I haven't tried putting gloss on top of my makeup for a night out but I have used black eyeshadow smoked out and it looks really sexy.

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  19. i think the look really suits ou and it makes your baby blues stand out more :)
    i've only tried this look a couple of times before, but it's not something i'd tend to wear everyday since the rock chick look is not my thing xD
    the only difference is that i used vaseline as a base and then i applied eyeshadow and stuff :)
    xx

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  20. @Karen: It would be even more sexy and dramatic with a gloss on top (eye gloss would be preferable, but sadly I don't own any)! ;) It is a bit messy after a few hours of wear tho, but worth it imo! xx


    @fashion written with a lipstick: Wasn't it harder to blend and create the shape you wanted with the vaseline as a base? I 'd love to try this look with vaseline myself btw, I bet it would feel lighter than lip gloss on your lids! Lol! xx

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  21. Not particularly but after all the idea is that you don't look perfect and polished and stuff like that. So it wasn't that much of a problem, only thing is that as far as blending goes it can be a little trickier.:)
    x

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  22. @fashion written with a lipstick: Yep, that was my main concern (the blending part), seeing as it could get tricky, after all I was using pure black and it I found it harder than usual! But, you're right, this look is definitely NOT about precision, I mean, it will crease anyways, lol! :)

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  23. These eyes look great!! In fact, I've got an eye gloss by Rouge Bunny Rouge and it creases like crazy! There's no use of buying one IMO - any lip gloss works just as well.
    I love looking a bit undone, it adds a nice 'shoulder-shrugging' attitude to your appearance :)

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  24. @Sam: Aw, thank you hunni! Yes, it's nice not being perfect all the time, sometimes a messy look can add a bit more character! ;) xx

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  25. This is stunning. Will have to borrow your idea and try it myself!

    Seriously this is incredibly eyecatching, well done.

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  26. @ The Student's Guide To Nail Polish: Thank you so much for that lovely comment, truth is I could have done better, but it's a start for bolder eye looks...! Thanx again! x

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