Smokey eyes are emotional, challenging, and strong, and ideal for anything from a night out to an exceptional event. Better still, with a little practice, anyone can achieve this versatile look. Any color can be used to create a smokey eye, but you will need at least three shades of a similar shade. While black and gray are common options for smokey eyes, you can use shades of brown or get creative with purples, greens, blues, or any color you want!
Creating a Classic Smokey Eye
1. Apply eyelid primer.
The eyeshadow primer creates a smooth base for your eye shadow. Simply apply a thin layer to your eyelids with your fingers before you start applying eye makeup. Not only will the color last more easily, but it will also last longer and the colors you use will be more vibrant.
- You can find an eyelid primer wherever beauty products are sold.
- If you don’t have an eyelid primer, you can use a regular face primer instead.
Beauty is the thing that you feel within and it is reflected in your eyes. It’s not something physical.
2. Apply your medium shade all over the eyelid.
Take your medium eye shadow and apply it all over your eyelid. However, stop when you get to the natural crease in your eyelid, rather than brushing the color up to your eyebrows.
- A dome-shaped eye shadow brush is perfect for applying color to your eyelids.
- You can also stop just before the inner corners of your eyes, as that’s where your highlighter will go.
- For example, if you use a brown palette that has dark espresso, warm honey, and a sparkling golden tint, you will use honey all over your eyelid.
Not sure which color looks best? Think about what colors will complement your eye color and skin tone. For example, green eyes look especially good with a gray and plum smoky eye, while blue eyes are bursting with gold or copper. Brown eyes look great with navy and gray tones.
3. Apply the lightest tone to the internal corner of your eyes and under your forehead.
It is known as the lightest color highlighter in your palette. Using your eyeshadow brush, lightly tap the highlighter on the inner corner of both your upper and lower eyelids. Apply from the beginning to the end of your eyebrows directly under your eyebrows. Next, use a fluffy eyeshadow brush to blend the highlighter into your medium shade.
- A small flat brush is great for drawing eyeshadow in the inner corners of your eyes, but you can use the same brush you use for the medium shade if you want. Make sure you use a cloth to wipe off any of the old colors before you switch to a new shade.
- If you are using the brown palette from above, this will be a warm honey color.
- Since everyone’s eye shape is different, figuring out exactly where to place the eyeshadow is the tough part of a smokey eye. Just practice and have fun!
4. Start placing your darkest color on the outer corner of your eyes
Scan the darkest color in a “C” shape, starting from the outside of your eyes. The darker color should go back about half the line of your lash line, to the corner, and about half the crease of your eyelid. When you need to apply more of your darker shade, start at the outer corner of your eye and blend inwards or upwards. For best results, work in thin layers rather than applying multiple products at the same time.
- A small, flat brush is good for applying color to the crease, but you may prefer a fluffy brush with thinner tips.
- Do not apply the shadow too inside. Depending on the shape of your eyes, there should be no dark shadows in the inner third or half of your eyelid. This will help keep your eyes open and bright.
- In the brown palette this will be a dark espresso color.
5. Blend your eye shadows.
Swirl a fluffy eyeshadow brush from the outer corner of your eye along your crease, then along the bottom of your eyelid, and up to the brow bone. Keep blending until the shadow gradually fades from the darkest color to your skin tone with no obvious or harsh lines. It may take a little while to get fully blended eyeshadow, so please be patient.
- Blend up to the brow bone and from the outer corner to the inner corner of your eyelid.
- If needed, you can apply more color while you are doing this.
- If you don’t have a separate blending brush, use a rag to wipe off all the color on your eye shadow brush before you start blending, so you don’t transfer the colors.
Beauty is subjective depending on each person’s preferences.
6. Add dark eyeliner along your lash line if desired.
To make your smokey eye more dramatic, apply a pencil, cream, or liquid eyeliner in the lash line from the inner corner to the outer corner of your eye. To create a cat’s eye, which is often associated with a smoky eye, add a dab of eyeliner upward in the outer corner of your eye, pointing towards the outer edge of your eyebrow.
- For a smudged look, draw a thick line at the top of your lash line, then use your finger or a small eye shadow brush to smudge and blend the line.
- To add more drama to your smoky eye, tighten your eyes. This is when you use your eyeliner to draw a line on the inner edge of your eyes, located directly below your upper lashes and above your lower lashes. This can be difficult for some because it involves using eyeliner very close to your eyeball.
- To line up along the lower lash line, apply your eyeliner or use an angled brush to sweep some of your dark shadow along your lashes. You may want to only put the dark shadow on the outer half of the lower lash line so that it reflects the dark color of your upper lids.
7. Add mascara to define your lashes.
Gently apply your mascara and move the brush between your lashes to better define them. Don’t add more than two layers to avoid lumps and an unnatural look. Also, apply a single layer on your lower lashes.
8. Clean up any fallen eyeshadow or smeared mascaras.
If eye shadow or mascara fell on your cheeks under your eyes, use a large, fluffy makeup brush to wipe it down in quick, wide strokes. If any of your mascaras are smeared along your eyelid or cheek, use a Q-tip dipped in makeup remover to remove it, then use your blending brush to repair any additional makeup that may have been removed.
- Once you’re done, you’re ready to rock your smoky eye!
How To Do Smokey Eye Make-Up?
The smoky eyes give off an impression of power.
And women love to acquire that. When it comes to a signature makeup look, smoky eyes are the go-to. Of course, the right occasion and the right technique are quite important for the smokey eye. You can’t just wear a black smokey eye to a wedding (unless it’s a gothic-themed wedding like 27 Dresses). There is a period and a spot for everything. Smoky eyes are very delicate at first. Not knowing the right techniques when applying them can lead to disaster.
1. Black Smokey Eye Makeup
You will need
- Lining * Concealer
- Black Eyeshadow
- Black liner
- Mascara
- Eyeshadow brushes
I focused heavily on black eye makeup up to raccoons and I could surpass cousins.
How to Apply Black Smokey Eye Makeup?
Step 1: You should always start with a clean foundation. Applying a primer helps make-up stay on longer and makes it easier to blend eyeshadow. Use a concealer under the eyes and over the eyelids to remove any discoloration.
Step 2: Put black eyeshadow on the outer corner and crease.
Step 3: Blend eyeshadow so that there are no harsh lines.
Step 4: If you think it needs more density, you can pick up more colors.
Step 5: Apply gel or pencil liner as close to the lash line as possible.
Step 6: Smudge and blend with the existing black eyeshadow.
Step 7: If you want to create an intense look, you can even take eyeliner and deepen it. Make sure to mix it well.
Step 8: Take the liner under the eyes.
Step 9: Smudge it to create a smoky effect.
Step 10: Now is the time for the finishing touches. Apply your favorite volumizing mascara and you’re ready!
The dark smokey is a work of art and is ideal for a night out at the club!
2. Gold Smokey Eye Makeup
You will need
- Primer
- Concealer
- Gold eyeshadow (cream and powder textures)
- Dark brown eyeshadow
- Black liner
- Fake eyelashes
- Mascara
- Eye shadow brush
How to apply Gold Smokey eye makeup?
Step 1: Prep, prime and conceal lids. Use a cream gold eyeshadow base. This will bring out the gold more when you add the powder eyeshadow.
Step 2: Wrap the golden eyeshadow and blend.
Step 3: Take a dark brown eyeshadow and apply it to the outer corner and bring it into the crease to create depth.
Step 4: Keep applying gold in the middle of the cover and brown in the outside corner until you are satisfied with the intensity.
Step 5: Apply the golden eyeshadow on the lower lash line. Follow up with a black liner on the lower waterline.
Step 6: Apply eyeliner to the upper lash line and slide it off.
Step 7: To complete the look, apply false lashes and finish with mascara.
It’s a great holiday look. It also looks fabulous for weddings.
3. Purple Smokey Eye Makeup
You will need
- Primer
- Corrector
- Sparkling Lilac Eyeshadow
- Black eyeshadow
- Dark purple eyeshadow
- Peachy pink eyeshadow
- Black lining
- Mascara
- Eyeshadow brushes
How to Apply Purple Smokey Eye Makeup?
Step 1: Start with a lilac shimmery eyeshadow as a starting base color.
Step 2: Put some black on the outer corner and mix so that there are no harsh lines.
Step 3: Use a slightly darker shade of purple in the middle of the eyelid to create a smooth transition between lilac and black. It goes without saying, but blend it out to make it look flawless.
Step 4: Find a peachy pink shade and use a fluffy brush to apply it over the crease. This gives it a natural gradient.
Step 5: Apply kohl or eyeliner on the lower lash line and smudge it to give a smoky effect.
Step 6: Tighten your upper waterline to give your lashes a fuller look.
Step 7: Apply mascara and your purple smoke is gone!
It is a misconception that smokey eyes must be strong. It uses light colors and even black is not that intense. This can be worn with a cute sundress for daytime shopping at the market or for brunch.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Are smoky eyes suitable for everyone?
The iconic makeup style is suitable for everyone and is universally flattering. When looking for a sexy nighttime look, this is a simple style that always works, so it’s important to have it in your ■■■■■■■■
2. Are Smokey eyes suitable for small eyes?
When you have small eyes, your goal should be to create the illusion that your eyes are farther apart than they are. You can do this by using light colors on the inside of your eyelid and darker colors on the outside.
3. How do I put on mascara?
To apply your mascara, look, place the wand at the base of your upper lashes, and swirl it back and forth, coating the base of your lashes. Then pull the wand upward toward the tips of your lashes, making sure you coat every part of your lashes as you pull them out and moving slowly to avoid clumping.
4. How to apply liquid eyeliner?
Hold the liquid eyeliner like a pencil and anchor your pinky finger to your cheek - again, this should be the pinky of your hand that you use to apply your eyeliner. Look straight ahead or tilt your head slightly back and look at the mirror: whichever gives you the best view of your upper lash line.
5. What is pencil eyeliner?
The eyeliner pencil can be used to create a variety of different looks, from feathery wings to a clean-lined eye. For a classic look, choose a natural eyeliner color. Eye Liner in Coffee or Ebony, and sweep gently across the top line of your lashes, staying as close to the lashes as possible.
6. What is an eye pencil for?
This creates a crisp and precise line. This type of eyeliner is best used to create a crisp, winged eyeliner. Since fluid eyeliner gives a lot heavier appearance, it is regularly simply applied to the upper lash line. The powder-based eye pencil is an eyeliner in a wooden pencil.