Smokey Eye Makeup Step-by-Step

Creating the perfect smokey eye look is a must-have skill set for anyone who’s interested in makeup. The first step is to prep your eyelid with an eyeshadow primer. This will ensure the eyeshadow stays put all day and doesn't crease. Once the primer has dried, apply a neutral base eyeshadow to your lid. This will help to blend the other colors and create a smooth transition. Next, select a dark color to apply to your crease and outer corner of your eye. This deepens the look and gives it that 'smokey' effect. Use a blending brush to gently blend this dark color into your base shadow to avoid any harsh lines. The key to a successfully executed smokey eye is blending, blending, and more blending.

With the darker color blended nicely, take an even darker eyeshadow, such as a black or dark grey, and apply it on the outer corner of your eye and into your crease, but not as far as the first dark color. Blend this color in with a clean blending brush. Next, apply the lighter shade of eyeshadow on your lid, directly under the crease. Be sure to blend these two shades together where they meet. At this stage, you should have a good gradient effect with the lightest color on your lid gradually getting darker as it goes up and out to the outer corner of your eye. This is the basic concept of a smokey eye.

Lastly, you’ll want to finish up the look with eyeliner and mascara. Starting with eyeliner, draw a line on the top lash line. This line can be as thick or thin as you want. For a more dramatic smokey eye, make the liner thicker towards the outer corner of the eye. After the eyeliner, apply generous coats of mascara to both your top and bottom lashes. Don't be afraid to use an eyelash curler before applying the mascara - it will make a big difference! And just like that, you have a perfect smokey eye look. While it may seem complex at first, with ongoing practice, you'll be able to attain this look with ease.