While the eyes are the focus for both boys and girls when it comes to emo makeup, the techniques and styles of makeup do vary a bit for both. Emo girls will also usually wear more makeup than emo boys, as for the boys, the intended effect is not to appear as if you're a drag queen. Shall we start?

The basics:

- Black eyeliner pencil

- Black mascara

- Black/grey eyeshadow

This is essential for both boys and girls.

Oh, you know what else is essential? A cell phone. Not really for makeup, but it fits in the bag with your makeup. Why not get some kick-ass emo ringtones, and then get back to this whole makeup thing?

 Okay, good. Now, moving on....

To do basic emo eyes is actually really simple. Take your black eyeliner pencil - it should be sharp, but not too sharp, and soft. I recommend drugstore brand Prestige, which comes with a smudge tip on the end of it. Both boys and girls should line the inside of their eyes [top and bottom] with the black liner. The thicker, the better. Boys don't need to be as neat about this as girls, as you'll be smudging your eyeliner to look as if you've maybe slept in it. Girls? Be a bit neater. We're supposed to know how to do this! For the eyelids, you can use your pencil, or use a liquid liner. I swear by Urban Decay's line of liquid liners; they have the perfect brushes for both thick and thin lines, and the product itself has massive staying power.

Like the look? Great. Want some more color? Apply the black/grey eyeshadow to your lids and blend until you have the desired effect. Add mascara, and you're done. A note on mascara: tread lightly. You can always add more if you don't have enough, but if you end up clumping your lashes, you'll end up with a situation that's almost impossible to fix.

A note for boys: I'm sorry, but in general, you just don't get to play with color as much as girls do. I have to honestly advise that going at all beyond Gerard Way's eye makeup in the "Helena" video will be far too much. Remember when he was wearing something that looked like a bandit mask? Do not do that! Remember when Frank Iero put big Xs over his eyes? Do not do that! Just because they did that does not mean you can. But for a formal or fancy occasion, this should be okay:

Okay, with that out of the way, let's see what else there is for the girls.

We definitely get to have more fun! The basic black liner is great - but don't feel limited to using just black/grey eyeshadow. Use whatever colors you like! Match your clothing. Red is definitely popular, but so are shades of pink, blue, purple, and green. Provided you don't end up looking like a rejected Woodland Fairy from "Grublets on Ice," glitter is fine, too - when used sparingly.

Great companies for eye shadows: Urban Decay, MAC, Makeup Forever, Hard Candy, or even your local drugstore. Urban Decay also has an extensive line of liquid liners in all kinds of colors, which can also help to brighten up your upper lid.

As for your face, a good dusting of pale powder never hurt anyone. MAC's Studio Fix is a favorite, but really, Cover Girl makes an amazing powder called "True Match Super Blendable Powder." The palest shades are pale, but not so much so that you look like a goth reject in whiteface or Krusty the Clown.

Lips? Easy. Pale pink lipstick, maybe lavender. Red, if it matches your outfit. Truth is, it's not really necessary to use color at all, considering the extensive lines of yummy lip glosses out there. The Body Shop has wonderful tubs of exotic, fruity glosses, but don't forget your old friend Bonnie Bell who is always there for you with flavors like Cotton Candy, Dr. Pepper, and Blueberry Cheesecake.

As for nails, with girls, anything goes. Black is a staple, but nails that match your outfit can be cute. Avoid at all costs: the French manicure, press-on nails, extensions, tacky designs. [Note: some salons will do a black and white French manicure. This is not only acceptable, but encouraged... it's cute!]

Boys: you can paint your nails, but you can only use black. Anything else looks wrong. Also, don't be too neat. A boy with a perfect manicure is creepy. Chipped black nail polish on a boy is sexy, though. Make note.

Some great places to buy emo makeup:

http://www.maccosmetics.com

http://www.urbandecay.com

http://www.goodgoth.com

http://www.makeupforever.com

http://www.truecolors.com