Lancôme Model Arlenis Sosa Smokes Up Latina's March Cover

by Grace Gold (Subscribe to Grace Gold's posts)
Posted Feb 23rd 2010 at 5:45PM

Arlenis Sosa sports a smoky eye on the cover of Latina's March issue. Courtesy photo.

This week, Lancôme fêted Dominican model Arlenis Sosa at their sleek New York City boutique in honor of the 20 year-old's splashy Latina March cover. We love how the beauty - who signed a contract with the luxury French brand only six weeks after being discovered on the streets of her home country - is rocking a dramatic smoky eye and pretty flushed cheeks on the latino-loved book.

And Sosa helped dream up the inspiration behind the fierce image.

"I wanted a very womanly feel, very sensual, with a strong eye. And I wanted to wear Hypnôse Drama on top of Ôscillation, which is my favorite way to layer mascara for a dramatic look," Sosa says of Lancôme's two newer additions to their best-selling mascara portfolio.

Makeup artist Renee Garnes partnered with Sosa to make the model's vision a reality. To get the look, line with a black-grey pencil like Le Stylo in Fumée and smoke out the top and bottom lash lines and crease with Color Design Eye Shadow in The New Black. Then load up lashes with Sosa's favorite mascara combo and slick lips with Color Fever Gloss in Tumultuous - a sheer golden bronze. Lastly, dust a Tropiques Minérale Bronzer over cheekbones and subtly around hairline, then top cheeks with Blush Subtil in Shimmer Coral Sunset.

"I suggest just putting a little base over the eye area only, then do your smoky eye application - before your foundation. Clean up is easier and you get a cleaner look. If your eyes get too dark, try brushing a light shimmery powder - not a cream, it'll destroy your application - over the whole eye. It'll soften the darkness and make it more blended and sultry!" advises Garnes.

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Beauty Basics: Smoky Eyes Step-by-Step

For the step-by-step on how to get a sexy smoky eye look like Sosa's click through the gallery.

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Phil Walter, Getty Images

Beauty Basics: Smoky Eyes Step-by-Step

A perfect smoky eye is like the Holy Grail of beauty. "It's the most asked question that I get," says makeup artist Carmindy.

Luckily, it looks much harder than it really is. Follow Carmindy's 6 easy steps, and you'll have a smoldering gaze in minutes.

Beauty Basics: Smoky Eyes Step-by-Step

STEP 1: Eyeliner on Upper Lashes

The first step is always black eye liner. Carmindy recommends a gel liner because it has great slip. Just smudge it along the entire upper lash line, creating a dark line all the way from the inner corner to the outer corner.

Carmindy's Tip: Gel liner can be a challenge to sharpen. Many women just shove it in their sharpener and go really hard. Instead, take it slow and easy - do one turn and then pull it out. To perfect the point, take a paper towel, stick the tip of the liner in it, lightly grasp it with your finger and twist. Or, If you have time, stick your liner in the fridge to make it colder before sharpening to harden it up a little but.

Beauty Basics: Smoky Eyes Step-by-Step

STEP 2: Dark Eye Shadow

Carmindy uses 3 different eye shadows - a dark shade, a medium shade and a pale, iridescent highlighter. First, apply a dark shade across the lid from the lash line to the crease.

Beauty Basics: Smoky Eyes Step-by-Step

STEP 3: Shade Lower Lashes

Apply that same dark shadow underneath the bottom lash line, using an angle brush. The angle brush will blend the shadow, so you won't have the harsh look of a heavy eyeliner.

Beauty Basics: Smoky Eyes Step-by-Step

STEP 4: Crease Color

Next, apply the crease color. Choose a color that's lighter than the base shadow, but still in a smoldering tone - a lighter gray or a taupe works well. Use a shadow brush to apply the color in the crease and just above it, from the inner to the outer corner.

Beauty Basics: Smoky Eyes Step-by-Step

STEP 5: Highlight

The last eye shadow step is the highlighter. This step is key because it ties everything in. Apply it right underneath the eyebrows, and at the inner corners of the eyes.

Beauty Basics: Smoky Eyes Step-by-Step

STEP 6: Mascara

Polish it all off with black mascara. To get a perfect, clump-free application, Carmindy recommends holding the wand vertically, brushing it back and forth across the lashes.

Beauty Basics: Smoky Eyes Step-by-Step

FINISHED LOOK

And there you have it: Sexy, smoldering, smoky eyes, in six easy steps. Since the eyes are strong, pair the look with light blush and natural lips.

Beauty Basics: Smoky Eyes Step-by-Step

But the day-to-day makeup look for the 5'11 model is decidedly more low-key.

"For everyday, I just put some eyeliner on and a nude lipgloss. Maybe a little concealer. I might have fun with my mascara," says Sosa.

And even though Sosa's modeling career is heating up the runways as she walked in New York Fall 2010 Fashioin Shows for prestigious designers like Carolina Herrera, it's the job of role model that is most close to this Dominican's heart.

"I'm so very happy and proud to be on the cover of Latina. I hope it inspires other women to go for their dreams."

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