STEP 1: PREP
First things first: James prepped the skin with Makeup Primer SPF 20, $33. Infused with natural botanicals and vitamins, the primer soothes, pampers, and hydrates while creating a protective base for longer-lasting, natural-looking foundation.

Next, James applied Balanced Foundation in Deauville, $40 using his fingers. Finally, he minimized imperfections and concealed darkness around the eyes using Concealer, $20 and Flat Concealer Brush 07, $25.

PRO TIP: NARS Concealer can also be used as an eyeshadow base for a longer-lasting application.

STEP 2: EYES (BASE)
James created a smooth-blending base by applying Single Eye Shadow in Biarritz, $21 across the lids with Eye Shader Brush 03, $55.

STEP 2: EYES (SHADE)
With his finger, James applied a soft wash of Cream Eye Shadow in Corfu, $21 to the lids. Then, he topped it with Single Eye Shadow in Ashes to Ashes, $21 using Eye Shader Brush 03, $55, blending upwards into the crease with the Large Dome Brush 13, $32.50.

PRO TIP: For those hard-to-reach spots (like the inner corners and creases of your eyes), use the Angular Eye Shader Brush 04, $25 or the Eye Contour Brush 14, $27.50.

STEP 3: EYES (CONTOUR)
To finish the lids, James used Large Dome Brush 13, $32.50 to blend Ashes to Ashes into the crease for depth and intensity. He then used the Eye Contour Brush 14, $27.50 to softly sweep the same shade along the lower lash line.

STEP 4: LINE & LASHES
James applied two coats of Mascara in Black Orchid, $22 to the upper lashes to create the look of longer, thicker lashes. He defined the eyes by applying Eye Liner Pencil in Black Moon, $19 along the inner rims of the eyes. To create a soft, smoky effect, James smudged the liner into the lash lines using the Smudge Brush #15, $24.

PRO TIP: Use the white-colored Single Eye Shadow in Tibet, $21 to highlight the inner corners of the eyes to brighten and add a little pop.

STEP 5: SMOLDER
To build a more intense smoky look, James applied Single Eye Shadow in Night Clubbing, $21 to the upper and lower lash lines and into the bridge of the eye with Eye Contour Brush 14, $27.50.

PRO TIP: Use any of the vibrantly pigmented NARS powders over Night Clubbing to customize the smoky effect on the eyes.

STEP 6: FINAL TOUCHES
James softly framed the eyes using the Eyebrow Pencil in Ipanema, $18, a taupe brown for ash-toned, neutral-colored hair.

James used Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Calliope, $23 to line the lips then blend it with Lip Gloss in Striptease, $23, a high-shine, nude champagne shade.

Lastly, for additional luminosity, James swept Blush in Albatross, $25 along the cheekbones with Blush Brush 06, $46.

PRO TIP: Balance a smoky or intense eye look with a soft, neutral pink or nude lip color for a modern look.