How to Do a Smokey Eye Look
Whether you’re brunching with the girls or heading out for date night, you can never go wrong with a smokey eye look. From varying eyeshadow shades to liquid eyeliners, this timeless style can be executed in various ways to suit different face shapes. There are several different types of smokey eye makeup, and its timeless appeal is perfect for many different occasions – from a casual dinner to a special event. With all that in mind, if you’re wondering how to make your eyes look smokey, here’s how to do it.
What is a smokey eye look?
Smokey eye looks have been around for decades and are still extremely popular today. This type of makeup look consists of neutral colours in the crease that slowly blend down to darker colours (such as black) closer to the eye. All the colours are blended seamlessly, with no harsh lines in sight. With the right tools and techniques, this ultimately creates a ‘smoked out’ effect. But nailing the classic smokey eye isn’t all cakes and rainbows. So, before you even think about winging it, allow us to impart some important beauty knowledge.
How to do a smokey eye
No matter your personal style, you can customise your own smokey eye look to suit. For best results, follow these steps:
1. Prep the skin with primer.
2. Brows before eyes (but if preferred, you can leave this until last).
3. Blend your eyeshadow.
4. Add your winged eyeliner.
5. Set and forget with setting spray.
Keep reading for Maybelline New York’s guide on how to get a smokey eye look for beginners.
1. Prep your canvas
When you’re trying to figure out how to apply a smokey eye look, remember that every exceptional makeup looks starts with a great prep routine. Those with dry skin will love the comfort and breathability that Fit Me Dewy + Smooth Primer offers, while those belonging to the oily skin club will love the Fit Me Matte + Poreless Primer. After you’re all preened and primed, it’s time to get started on those gorgeous brows of yours.
2. Build your brows
When building a smokey eye look, styling your brows makes a world of difference. This is because perfectly defined brows will complement a striking, bold look (if that’s what you’re going for). Enriched with royal jelly and aloe vera, opt for the Tattoo Brow 3 Day Gel-Tint for fuller looking brows at home. This is an easy-to-use, peel-off brow tint with up to 3-day wear.
Tip: For best results, leave on for 3 hours.
3. Layer on the eyeshadow
We know just the palette to help you build your smokey eye look: It’s the Nudes of New York Eyeshadow Palette! Remember that the golden rule of eyeshadow is to blend, blend, blend. With a smokey eye look, it doesn’t really matter how deep into the dark side you go. What matters is how well you can blend the liner and shadow.
Depending on the look you’re after, here are some different eyeshadow options to help you take your smokey eye look to expert level:
- Start with a light brown or a nude shade across the lid and slowly transition the outer corner to darker browns in the Burgundy Bar Eyeshadow Palette. With 12 rich, high pigment shades to choose from, your eyelids will be spoilt for choice.
- Alternatively, dare to go nude with The Blushed Nudes Eyeshadow Palette – a 12-shade eyeshadow palette blending nude colours with rose gold pigments. Shades range from rose gold pigments, to bolder blushes, provocative plums and risqué roses.
- For a high impact finishing touch, tap a longwearing waterproof eyeshadow like Color Tattoo 24HR Cream Gel Eyeshadow onto the centre of the lid. It seamlessly melts into the lid, giving you a look you can set and forget.
4. Add liner and mascara
To give your eyes more of a ‘fox’ or ‘cat’ shape, our pick is the Tattoo Studio Smokey Gel Pencil – our first blendable gel eyeliner that lasts for up to 36 hours. For a smouldering, smokey look, this is the one to watch (and try for yourself!)
If you’re wondering how to make your eyes look smokey in just one step, a long-wear cream shadow and an eyeliner like the Express Brow Ultra Slim Eyebrow Pencil blended into shape with a fluffy brush is an easy way to create a smokey eye look. Simply apply shadow on your eyelids and blend it again and again towards the outer corner to achieve that smokey effect. Finally, you can apply eyeliner along the bottom eyelid and lash line, smudging it with a brush for sultry, supermodel eyes.
No smokey eye is complete without lashings of mascara. Reach for The Falsies Surreal Extensions Mascara Waterproof for unstoppable length and volume that won’t flake or smudge onto your masterpiece.
