What do screen sirens Angelina Jolie, Mariska Hargitay, Jennifer Hudson and Catherine Deneuve all have in common – besides their exquisite beauty? Seductive, low-lidded bedroom eyes give them that “come hither” look that so many women would love to recreate with makeup.

Good news ladies: women with eyes of all shapes and sizes can mimic this look with just a little strategy and few simple steps.

Prep: Locate the lower edges of your brow bones (and the creases just below, if your have them). These will be more or less prominent, depending on the unique contours of your face. Women with deeper-set eyes may have to press lightly on the lid to get a good sense of where their brow bones end. Hint: Tilt your head back as you look in the mirror. This makes it easier the see the full arch of your brow bone and crease area.

Strategy: Everything below the brow bone’s lower edge (or the crease) is the lower lid. The idea is to outline this area with a precise application of dark shadow, so that the lower lid itself is lighter by comparison. The result? The lid stands out while the well-shadowed “crease” area recedes for that sultry, chiseled look. You can exaggerate this effect by using pale and/or shimmery shadow on the lower lid and directly beneath your brows.

1. Once you have located your brow bone and found/designated the crease below, dab a shadow lighter than your skin all over the lower lid, with special emphasis on the area just below the crease. I recommend something shimmery, for that dewy, ultra-glam look. For fair skin, try Cargo Eye Shimmer in Sparkling White or Champagne Rose. For darker complexions, try Mac Amber Lights Eye Shadow or Urban Decay Eye Shadow in Baked or Blaze.
2. Use a quarter-inch, flat, angled brush to apply a thin, precise line of dark brown or black shadow all along the upper lashes. Hint: use the brush to dab/press the liner onto your lash line instead of sweeping it across like a paint brush. This will allow you greater control and precision. Turn the line slightly upward at the outer corner for a vampy cat’s eye look. Note: It is not necessary to line your lower lashes. Do so if you must, but stick to the outer corners. Do not line the moist inner rims – this will only make your eyes look smaller.
3. Now it’s time to shadow the crease. Use the same brush you used to line your eyes, with a small amount of the same shadow, or a slightly lighter shade. Tilting your head back so that you can see the contours of your lid, slowly guide the brush directly through the arch of your crease area, just below the brow bone. Start at the outer corners and work your way in about two thirds of the way toward the inner corners. Stop there. Once you have a thin line through the arch of your crease, use your finger to soften that line by blending it gently upward into the brow bone.
4. Highlight your brow bones by dabbing some light, shimmery shadow just beneath your eyebrows, especially under the apex of the arch. This has the dual effect of opening up your eye area and accentuating your sexy, shadowed crease.
5. Finish with black mascara, and don’t be shy. Be sure to drag it all through your lashes from roots to tips, with special focus on the outer corners. A careful, thorough mascara application allows for maximum length and volume without clumps or caking.

Extra credit: Dab a small amount of light, shimmery shadow onto the inner corners of your eyes for an extra perky, “awake” look.