The Eyes Have It

Many people know Jane Krakowski for her hilarious turn as scheming blonde Jenna Maroney on the hit NBC comedy 30 Rock, but making audiences laugh isn't her only talent -- she's just as skilled at playing up her naturally gorgeous looks with a few fabulous makeup tricks. "I'm a big makeup girl," says Krakowski, 39, "probably because I did a lot of theater, and in the theater you have to do it yourself."

Whether she's doing her own makeup or working with a professional, the focus is always the same for this Tony Award-winning actress. "My eyes are the main feature that I like to bring out," she explains. "I'm really into lashes right now, making mine as black as possible." Krakowski uses multiple coats of mascara for definition, but she forgoes lash curling. "It doesn't work as well for me, because my lashes tend to curl a bit naturally. It ends up cramping them instead of keeping them long." When it comes to shadow, it's all about using shades that will make her blue eyes look even bluer. "I go for neutral shades, and I tend to choose browns with more red in them because they make blue eye color pop. I didn't know about this for a really long time, and I wish I had learned it years ago!"

Brown shadows look great with all eye colors; the trick is finding the right hue. Green-eyed gals stand out in warm shades of brown, such as golden taupe and camel, while brown-eyed beauties can carry off darker, richer tones, such as sable and mocha.

• Pür Minerals Triple Impact Mascara, $18.50, works to lengthen, thicken, and curl lashes.
• Almay Intense i-Color Bring Out Powder Shadow, $7.49, has shades for every eye color.
• MAC eye Kohl in smolder, $14.50 a pearly black liner.
• If your lashes need a lift, try the Kevyn Aucoin Eyelash Curler, $20.

Originally published in Ladies' Home Journal, October 2007.