Scared you might end up looking Gothic if you try the smoky-eyed look? Don't be. If you get it right, sultry accents can yield virtual eye candy. You can look flawlessly fantastic in minutes by bringing in deeper hues into your choice of eyeshadows.

Rule of thumb is to prep perfectly. First finish your eye make-up and then take the artistry to your entire face. This takes care of streaking mascara that goops at the inside corners of your eyes as well as the problem of applying under-eye concealer again to zap out the smattering of dark eyeshadow flecks.

Working in a spot of foundation on the lids makes for a perfect combination: longer staying power, sharper, smoother application of your make-up and a clean canvas to work on. Follow up with a light dust of translucent powder to ensure an enviable polished and sleek finish. Remember, the creation of smoky eyes demands dexterous use of a colour-coordinated duo or trio in eyeshadow. Since you need to skillfully blend in variations of your chosen colour, select powder options steering clear of creamy gels. These tend to annoyingly settle into the creases of your eyelids and also run more easily in the heat.

Choose your palette in keeping with your skin tone, hair highlights and eye colour. If you are fair-skinned, you can flaunt a duo of slate grey and jet black with elan. If your skin tone is slightly darker, you could opt for coffee brown with copper or pebble grey. The trick lies in combining a light supporting shade with a richer, darker hue. Smoky eyes can make use of varying shades: from intense blue and brooding browns to raven black and even deep purple. It is important to bring in an eyeliner pencil in the same colour as your eyeshadow.

Begin by applying the light shadow on the part of your lids closest to your nose bridge. To effectively open up your peepers, use clean sponge applicator tips for blending in the darker hue starting from the mid section of your lids. Focus the intensity of this shade along the border of your upper lids and on the outer corners of your eyes, towards the rim of your socket below your eyebrows. A jagged, unsure eyeliner application actually works to your advantage here. Choose liquid or pencil form, but after applying eyeliner, smudge instantly for a sultry look.

Use your kohl stick in pebble grey to groom your brows. A startling black pencil for thickening scanty growth is a recipe for complete disaster. Avoid it totally. If you have small eyes, run along the kohl stick on the outer edge of your lower lid. Begin from the centre of your lower lid and carry till the outer ends. Convert large eyes into pools of desire by lining the inside of the lower lids, starting from the inner end and moving out. Combine this lower sweep, in both cases, with the application of your eyeliner into a dramatic upward lift above the corner of your eyes.

Mascara plays a vital role in fanning out sooty lashes. It literally gifts your eyes extended hair. Apply your mascara twice, in thin coats, to avoid clumping. If you are proficient in the use of the lash curler, bring it out. Or seek solace in L’Oreal Volume Shocking Double Mascara.

Multiple showstoppers dilute the overall impact. So make the most of smoky eyes, underplay your lips. Fleshy, nude tones in lips and a tawny blusher along the apples of your cheeks make you smoulder sensuously even more. Go on. Dramateyes!