Can you achieve a professional looking smoky eye in just two steps, with one product? According to CoverGirl, you can. My mom often says, “I’m from Missouri – the ‘Show Me’ state.” Well, I’m not from Missouri, but I take after my mom. I was skeptical.

I’m not against drug store makeup. In fact, I have a pretty even mix of high and low end makeup. There is certainly a noticeable difference in many products, but there are a lot of great, cheaper alternatives that are available out there. What I’m often displeased with, however, is their marketing. In an effort to reach the masses, they make things seem way easier than they actually are. Not that they’re all that complex – but it takes a little bit more work than they advertise in order to achieve the looks they present. When the consumer follows their advice and their look ultimately falls short, it’s easy for them to feel defeated and just give up all together.

Makeup – particularly more complex eye looks such as the smoky eye – can be daunting for those with limited experience. I remember wanting to try it, but deciding it was easier to forgo it completely. I didn’t want to risk the embarrassment of looking like a little girl who got into her mom’s makeup case. While it is absolutely within reach for the every-gal, a lot of makeup brands often make a big mistake: making false promises of great results with little to no work or skill.

There are plenty of gorgeous looks out there that involve just a few steps and very little skill. A swipe of mascara, a bit of blush and some lip gloss lend a fresh-faced look. Highlighter near the tear ducts and under the brow give an instant wake-up. But when an advertisement promises a professional looking smoky eye in just two steps with one product, I have to wonder: is anyone buying this? Take, for instance, the CoverGirl SmokyShadow Blast. I find it hard to believe that a) the makeup artist only used one product (two shades) for Drew’s gorgeous look and b) they followed the two steps on the package. Since they sent some products over for me to try out, I figured I would give it a shot and see if it delivers.

Taken from the fact sheet:
Easily achieve smoky eye perfection – it’s almost like having a makeup artist at your fingertips!

Two steps? Sounds easy enough. Let’s give it a shot. Tutorial and pictures after the jump!

I used the Silver Sky Covergirl Smoky Shadowblast, which has both a silver and purple side, and followed the directions exactly as stated. “Big, bold smoky eyes with amazing results?” Not exactly. It’s quite lackluster. The package said nothing about blending – remember, it’s only two steps – though the fact sheet suggests smudging and blending to perfection. Ah, they left that part out! But since this is geared toward people with little to no makeup expertise, I think that’s an extra step worth adding. Wouldn’t you rather go the extra length for a more desirable result?

But alas, even with blending, this certainly leaves a lot to be desired. Instead, I suggest using this as a base for a smoky eye. Using a colored base gives it greater intensity, so this is actually a great starting point for a smoky eye. But like most things in life, it takes a little bit of work to get it right. So, let’s take it several steps further and create something that is actually big and bold.

Note: I used a base underneath to prevent creasing (I read that others had a lot of issues with it). Before you put this on, use a base such as MAC Paint pot or Urban Decay primer potion. Creasing is such a bummer.
Since the CG base was silver and purple, I went for a silver, purple and black smoky eye. Here’s what I used:
MAC Bare Study Paint Pot
Covergirl Smoky Shadowblast in Silver Sky
MAC Electra eyeshadow (used wet)
MAC black tied eyeshadow (used wet)
MAC pinked mauve pigment
MAC blacktrack fluidline
Benefit badgal lash

After the initial application, follow these additional steps:

It takes a little more work and several more products, but the end result is worth it!

As for the CG Smoky Shadowblast? My verdict: I wouldn’t go out of my way to purchase it, but if you already have it on hand, use it as a base…with another base underneath it.

p.s. The final photos were taken on a different day than the step by step, so there are some slight differences.