Yes ladies, I'm delivering yet another "BEST EVER something-or-other!"  Like a not-old, but-getting-crow's-feet dog with a bunch of new tricks - or rather, like a girl who owns more eyeshadows than shoes or underwear -  I'm busting with tips to share after spending time with Portland makeup artist Jared. 

Here's why I wish but don't wish I was a makeup artist: Jared's smoky eye trick is based on a client walking into his shop and saying, "I need a smoky eye that I can bang out in five minutes, tops."  Ok, NO ONE can do a smoky eye in five minutes...unless you're Jared, and you love makeup, and someone asks you to invent a method. 

After major trial, error, and makeup remover, Jared's got his smoky eye down to one pot of Benefit's Creaseless Cream Shadow in Skinny Jeans (a shimmery gray).  It's the secret-weapon base.  This super-soft, ultra-blendable shadow should be smeared all the way to the crease of your eyelid, then pat a little under your eye, too. 

You could stop here...or you could turn up the drama by lining your eyes in a pitch black liner (he likes Aqua Eyes for a blendable black).  And for Heaven's sake, this isn't the time to skimp on the mascara - even if you opt out of the black liner, blow the rest of your budget on mascara.

I've been a fan of Benefit's Creaseless Cream Shadows forever - they truly are soft, easy to work with, and I love the light shimmer.  In fact, I already own a pot of Skinny Jeans...I just never thought to smudge it around and create different looks.  Which I guess goes to show you, I didn't miss my secret calling as a highly creative makeup artist.