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nikia phoenix smokey eyes with pink lips by k is for kinky 1
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nikia phoenix smokey eyes with pink lips by k is for kinky 5
nikia phoenix smokey eyes with pink lips by k is for kinky 1
nikia phoenix smokey eyes with pink lips by k is for kinky 2
nikia phoenix smokey eyes with pink lips by k is for kinky 3
nikia phoenix smokey eyes with pink lips by k is for kinky 4
nikia phoenix smokey eyes with pink lips by k is for kinky 5

Shakespeare once said, “Love is a smoke made with the fume of sighs.” We like to say that love can be conveyed with smokey eyes. That might not be on William’s level of verbal expression, but hey, that quote couple with these beautiful photos of Nikia are close enough. Are we right or or we right?

Speaking of sayings, some people would say that men don’t understand smokey eyes and that to them it looks less like makeup and more like we just got out of a fist fight. We disagree. That’s because for us, it’s all in the delivery. You have to own smokey eyes. If you don’t, then yes, you could look like a WWE Smackdown rejectee, but if you own smokey eyes the right way, boys come to the yard. What does owning mean? For one, you need to invoke your inner Nikia and Naomi. You need to know you are the baddest thing walking you need to stand in that ***Flawless bow down aura. Secondly, you need the right products. In this case, Nikia’s smokey eyes were created with a matte black shadow topped off with a little coconut oil to give it a slick finish. Matte black in contrast to something super glittery silently commands a certain level of respect. Don’t believe us? Just ask Beyoncé.

Glossy smokey eyes are definitely a night time look and pairs well with leather, fitted jeans a tee and vintage style biker boots like these. It’s more bad ass than anything else. Think Maleficent from Bed Sty.

To create this look for yourself, apply a matte black shadow to your lids slowly and carefully to avoid as much fallout as possible. Use it as your bottom lid as liner as well. Add a half a pea sized amount of coconut oil or petroleum jelly to your lids to give it a slick look. Be sure to keep the shadow tight around your eyes so you don’t look like that rejectee we talked about earlier. Keep your face clean and go for a “no makeup makeup look” finished off with your favorite nude lipstick. Not sure which nude lipstick would work for you? Check out Don’t Worry, We’ve Got You (And 26 Lip Colors For Your Best Nude Lip) for suggestions.

RECOMMENDED BLACK MATTE EYESHADOWS
MAC ‘Carbon’ Eyeshadow
Make Up Forever ‘M100 Black’ Artist Shadow
NYX ‘Stripped’ Nude Matte Eyeshadow
Sephora Collection ‘N° 54 Black Lace’ Colorful Eyeshadow

The Face: Nikia Phoenix. The Makeup: Lindsey Calloway. The Photography: Angel Jordan.

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