Holiday parties are in high gear and unfortunately, not all of us have a pro readily available to make us look our best for the fests. So we've called on an expert we know to give us a step-by-step, do-it-yourself guide to getting a shimmering, smokin' look for that next seasonal soiree. Girlactik cosmetics founder Galit Strugano--who created her line of glitter-that-stays-put makeup after getting fed up with all glitter makeup that doesn't while working as a makeup artist in Hollywood eight years ago--demonstrated on our very own girl about town, Stephanie Ocampo, the process to getting the perfect smokey eye, all on your own. --Lyndsey Saul



                 Steph before, naked and exposed


GIRLACTIK TOOLS:

Crease             Flatline                  Angled                   Angled Blush



                                                                            Kabuki Brush and Radiant Mineral Glow powder in
                                                                            'Marbella'


Eyes:    Clockwise from Left: Pearl Base, Vintage, Sultry, Smokey,
                                                                                                Dark Star Base, Gunmetal
               

Cheeks:   From Left: Bora Bora, Havana

Lips:         From Left: Pin-up, Innocent Pink



COVERAGE

Swipe a flat brush through the concealer.


Apply concealer to the corner of the inner eye first and work across to the outer corner. No flat brush? Use you ring finger to dab concealer under the entire eye, then blend with your middle finger.


Next, swipe concealer down the bridge of the nose (this creates a highlight), then dab over any red spots or blemishes.


Tap mineral powder into its container’s cap, take a kabuki brush and swirl it through to load the brush. Tap side of brush to release excess.


Dab the brush on the forehead and each cheek, then swirl up and around the face to blend.


Be sure to tuck in the lips under to get complete coverage around the mouth. Repeat until desired amount of coverage is achieved.


EYES

Pull the skin to the side of the eye taunt.


Swipe the flat brush through the powder, then while continuing to pull the skin taunt, fill in any visible lines or creases.


Voila! An ultra-smooth surface to apply the eyeshadow to.


First, place your finger on your eyelid, feel for the ball. This is where you apply the Pearl Base. Using a light color as a base will allow the darker colors that are to come to show up with less work and allows the shadow to stay on longer and crease-free.


Dab the inner eyelid with a crease brush loaded with a light color, like 'Vintage.'


While pulling the lid out, apply a medium hue in the center of the lid. Galit used 'Sultry' here.


Finally, 'Smokey' is swept on to the outer corner.
OPTION: Blondes and lighter skin tones can swap 'Smokey' for Girlactik's 'Bark.'


Then sweep it across the crease.


Next, open the eye and blend in the crease (while the eye is open) to create definition.


Soften harsh borders by taking a light color, 'Satin,' and blend across the brow bone. For more definition, reapply the medium shadow to the middle of the eyelid.


Take a flat line smudger brush and get it wet under a faucet. Apply a black powder, or 'Smokey' can be used, to the brush, and wiggle it in between the lashes all the way across the lash line. Smudge it using an upward motion with the powder left over on the brush. Repeat slightly higher if a thicker line is desired.


Sweep more 'Smokey' to the outer corner and angle upwards like an Amy Winehouse wing...but subtler.


Prep the eye for glitter with Dark Star Base, swipe the brush back and forth to thinly line the entire upper lid.


Using an angled brush, pick up the glitter, 'Gunmetal,' by dabbing the brush into it, so both sides of the tip of the brush are covered. Then, dab it across the eye, using both sides of the brush to get the maximum sparkle. NOTE: DON'T BLEND OR GLITTER WILL NOT SPARKLE AT ALL.


Using 'Smokey,' start at the outer lid angle the brush so it's leaning against the lower lash line and brush around the outer rim to connect the upper and lower lines. Remove any gunk that may have collected at the inner eye with a Q-Tip.


A close-up of the smokiness you're shooting for.


Look slightly down and apply the first coat of mascara to the top of the lashes at the inner corner. Then sweep up and out. Hold the wand vertically (like above) and wiggle in sections across the lash line to create bunches.  Use what's left on the wand to lightly coat the bottom lashes.


CHEEKS

Apply blush in 'Bora Bora' to the apple of the cheeks with an angled blush brush. If you're not sure where to find the apple, take your index finger and place it directly under your cheek bone. Apply the blush just above your finger, following it's angle. For extra color, add a dab of hot pink, 'Havana,' to each cheek.


LIPS

Keep the lips neutral, fill in with 'Pin-up;' for a frosted effect, apply 'Innocent Pink' to the middle of the top and bottom lips, which makes lips look fuller and more warm.




                And Steph after!

---

Photos by Lisa Brenner
Makeover completed at Naimie's Beauty Center in Studio City