Smokey eye makeup is sexy, sultry, and dramatic. But it can also be light and neutral depending on your color selection and application technique. Either way, it’s a popular and wearable makeup look for every woman. Here’s my simple step-by-step instruction on achieving that perfect smoky eye.
1. Prime your eye lid. Apply a small amount of Urban Decay’s Eyeshadow Primer Potion all over your upper and lower eye lid. Or try M.A.C.’s Prep and Prime Eye or Too Faced Shadow Insurance. This is an important step to prevent your eye shadows from fading into your crease and help their colors show up more vibrantly. Read Cruelty-free beauty 101: eye shadow primer.
2. Apply your base color. Contrary to what many believe, smoky eye makeup can be done with many eye shadow colors, not just black. Choose the overall tone you want, then select your group of colors.
For example, for a deep purple smoky eye, you can use a soft violet or light brown shade as your base color, a medium to dark purple shade in your crease and a deep purple or black color on your outer corner. The base color should be the lightest color and can be shimmery or matte in finish. Apply this color all over your eye lid. Try NYX Smokey Look Kit (Giveaway details below).
3. Apply your crease color. Now apply a darker color to your crease as well as the outer part of your lower eye lid. Blend well. Good blending is key to the perfect smoky eye makeup, so use a good blending brush and blend the two colors until there’s sharp contrast between them or blunt color edges on your lid.
4. Smoke out your outer corner. Apply the darkest color to your outer corner to add more depth and definition. This can be black or any dark shade but should be a color with matte finish. Blend well. You can skip this step if you want a light, more natural smoky eye look.
5. Line your eyes. Apply eye liner (black, brown, color of your choice) to your upper and lower lash lines. Set it with a matching eye shadow by tracing and smudging your lines with a eye liner brush. Try Urban Decay 24/7 Glide On Eye Pencil or Revlon Colorstay Eyeliner.
6. Apply mascara. Add more volume and intensity by applying several coats mascara to both your upper and lower lashes. Try Almay One Coat Nourishing Mascara or M.A.C. Plush Lash.
Tip: Never pair a dark smoky eye with bold lip color. Keep your lips light to further emphasize your eyes. Try NYX Smokey Look Kit lip colors.
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