How It's Done: Nina Dobrev's Sexy Smoky Purple Eye Makeup

Celebrity makeup artist and VI Aesthetics skincare ambassador Spencer Barnes gives you the scoop on getting the look at home

Here’s a summer take on the classic smoky eye: Switch out the grays and blacks for purples and lavenders. That’s just what makeup artist and VI Aesthetics skincare ambassador Spencer Barnes did for Nina Dobrev, when he created this luminous eye look on the star for the Vanity Fair Oscars after-party earlier this year.

Lucky for us, Barnes stopped by the PeopleStyle offices to give us the lowdown on how to create the look for IRL for our “How It’s Done” video series.

Billy Farrell/BFA/REX/Shutterstock

The pro used several products to create the look, including a deep purple eyeliner, eye shadow (neutral, lavender and a shimmery icy beige shades), a copper brown liner and mascara.

On Dobrev specifically, he used Gabriel Cosmetics’ Beauty Palette ($27.50).

Watch the video above for the full step-by-step tutorial, straight from the pro.

Tell us: Would you try this look?

—Sharon Clott Kanter