Do you love classic, smoky eye makeup? You should! It adds a touch of drama to any occasion. Whether you are heading to dinner or a party, a smoky eye can elevate your makeup look.
Stay calm if you haven’t yet. The good news is that you can do this look without being a professional.
Here is the Step-by-Step Smoky Eye Guide
Follow this step-by-step guide to glam up a smoky eye quickly.
Step 1: Gather Your Essentials
Before taking out your inner makeup artist and jumping into the smoky eye, make sure you have all the tools. You may need:
- Eyeshadow Primer
- Eyeshadows(For a classic smoky eye, go with neutral tones like beige, taupe, and black).
- Eyeliner (dark brown/black pencil or gel eyeliner)
- Blending Brushes
- Mascara
Having all these tools lined up will make your process smoother and within time.
Step 2: Start with Priming your Eyelids
Apply the eyeshadow primer to your lids. This step is important–it is just like making the foundation of your eye makeup. Primer lets your makeup stay put all day. Skipping the primer part may let your smoky eye smudge or fade away as the day goes on. Simply use your middle finger to dab a small amount of primer on the lids and blend it out.
Step 3: Apply the Base Colour
Now grab the lightest shade of your eye shadow and start playing with it on your eyelid. Start from the lash line and go up to the brow bone. This base colour will help other shadows blend more easily and provide a subtle highlight to the overall look. A soft beige or light taupe works well for this step, giving your eyes a natural and even tone.
Step 4: Pick a Medium Shade to Add Depth
Let’s bring some depth to your eye. Apply your medium-toned eyeshadow to your crease, blending it back and forth with a fluffy brush. The key here is to use a seamless windshield wiper motion to blend the colour. This shade will act as the transition colour, helping to soften the edges of the darker shade you’ll add later.
Take your time to blend—no harsh lines should be left. Opt for a soft, well-blended look.
Step 5: Pick a Dark Shade to Intense the Look
This is the magical step. Pick a darker eyeshadow, like deep brown, charcoal, or black. Apply one to the outer corner of the eye. Remember, it’s easier to add more shadow than to remove it, so start with a light build-up. Create a gradient effect by using a smaller blending brush. Blend upwards to your natural eye crease–let the darkest colour near your lash line and the lighter shades blend upwards.
Step 6: It’s Time for Eyeliner
The look wouldn’t be complete without eyeliner. Use a gel eyeliner or a dark brown pencil to line your upper eyelash. If you want to add more drama—line the lower lash line, too. For a more smoky effect, gently smudge the eyeliner with a smudge brush or cotton swab. This will soften the line and blend it into the eyeshadow for that smoky finish.
Step 7: Highlight the Inner Corners
To balance the dark shadows, apply a glittery or light-coloured highlighter or eyeshadow to the inner corners of your eyes. This step illuminates your eyes and makes them appear fresh and awake. Highlighting the inner corners can also help divert attention from dark circles–if you have. If you’re curious about ways to diminish dark circles, check out this guide on How To Get Rid Of Black Circles.
Step 8: A Final Blend
It’s worth going over and blending everything one more time with a clean blending brush to ensure all the colours go smoothly into each other. This final blend is what makes the smoky eye look polished and professional.
Step 9: Mascara-fy your Eyelashes
The final touch to your smoky eye is a generous coat of mascara. Curl your lashes first to give them extra lift, then apply two or three coats of mascara to your upper and lower lashes. The goal is to create thick, voluminous lashes that complement the intensity of your smoky eye.
Step 10: Clean Up and Perfect
After you’ve completed your smoky eye, take a moment to clean up any fallout or mistakes. Use a cotton stick dipped in makeup remover to sharpen the edges or correct any smudges. You can also use concealer to brighten the under-eye area and ensure your smoky eye stands out. Consider regularly using a good under-eye serum to hydrate and improve the sensitive skin around your eye.
Your Smoky Eye Look is Done.
And there you have it—a basic smoky eye perfect for any occasion! With these simple steps, you can create a soft and sophisticated look. Remember, practice makes perfect, so don’t stay back to experiment with different colours and techniques until you find the smoky eye that suits you best. The smoky eye is a versatile and timeless choice for a subtle daytime look or a bold evening statement. So grab your brushes, start playing and create your path to your smoky eye look.
