EOTD: Radiant orchid smoky eye makeup look with theBalm

I am so glad they picked radiant orchid as the Pantone Colour Of The Year 2014 over, say, yellow, which always makes me look ill. It is also easier to wear on the nails - even lips, as I realise now - and eyes and goes well with all skin tones. Violets and purples, along with blues, are my favourite shades. This is a purple smoky eye makeup look that I've done with just the three eyeshadows - A2 from theBalm's Balm Voyage palette and purples from the Accessorize Lovely Day palette. Read on to find out more.
A2 is probably my favourite purple shadow. I've had dreams about this colour. This is a frosty deep purple with hints of duochrome, and it went into the crease and outer lid. I will be swatching the Balm Voyage palette soon.

The other shade is the purple that is second from top, second from right, in the Accessorize Lovely Day palette, which is versatile enough to give me shades to match up with most other eyeshadows. I used the lighter lilac just below in the inner corners. I should have used a proper highlighter and a decent shade in the inner corner instead of just concealer, and blended the lines out a LOT more, but you know harum-scarum me.

This look was worn over Kat von D primer which doubled up as a concealer, Too Faced Lash Injection Mascara (Lancome Hypnose Doll Eyes is much better) and Rimmel Intense Plum liquid eyeliner, which is actually a lavender and gets completely lost near deeper purples. I applied a touch of Lancome Crayon Kohl on the lower lashline as well.

I might try more violets and purples over the coming weeks, with other colours just for the heck of it. I'm feeling irrepressibly bold right now, with all the work and tooth-stress and have a feeling I'll go sit in my dentist's chair with shocking pink and lime green eye makeup. Bolder colours will work well enough when your eyes are open, and you're not going to walk around with eyes closed, are you?

This is my entry to the Smoky Eye Friday link-up hosted by Leticia of Cosmetics Aficionado. You can get the code here and participate as frequently as you like.

I'm planning to seriously get to know eyeshadow blending techniques over the next few weeks. Hopefully, there should be some improvement in my EOTDs soon!