HomeBlogMakeupHow To Perfect The Smokey Eye Makeup

How To Perfect The Smokey Eye Makeup

by The Gloria Baik

May 21, 2023

Makeup

How To Perfect The Smokey Eye Makeup For All Eye Colors

A smokey eye is a timelessly sexy and classic makeup look. The smoldering style is unbeatable for nighttime and can even be reworked for the daytime. Despite its enormous popularity, some women still avoid the makeup technique for fear that it’s too hard to create. Well, we’re here to banish that fear and show you just how easy a smokey eye can be with the right tips and tricks. From the classic black smokey eye to boldly colored looks suited to your eyes, here’s everything you need to know to nail the smokey eye.

How to Get Smokey Eyes

Classic Black Smokey Eye

A classic black smokey eye is famous for a reason. The iconic makeup style looks good on everyone and is universally flattering. When looking for a sexy nighttime look, this is a simple go-to style that always works so it’s important to have it in your arsenal. Follow these quick tips and you’ll be nailing the black smokey eye in no time.

Start by moisturizing your eye area.
Apply primer and add concealer to any dark under-eye circles.
Use a medium round brush to apply grey eyeshadow in an arch above the crease of your eye and blend downwards over your eyelids.
Apply a black kohl pencil to your upper lash line and smudge upwards over your eyelids.
Use a small, angled makeup brush to apply powder in a black or gunmetal shade to your lower lash line.
Apply a silver eyeshadow to the inner corners of your eyes.
Add multiple coats of mascara to curled lashes.
Finish by cleaning up any excess shadow with a cotton swab dipped in concealer.

READ: 14 Best Eyeshadow Palettes Money Can Buy

Smokey Eye for Brown Eyes

Gorgeous brown eyes look good with nearly every shade of smokey eye. They look particularly fantastic, however, when paired with vibrant jeweled hues. Instead of a traditional black smokey eye, consider trying a more modern purple style instead. The unique color will really make your eyes pop for a sensational look.

Start by applying a light orchid or violet shadow all over your lids.
Next, blend a rich plum hue into the creases of your eyes, making sure to mix it with violet.
Apply black eyeliner to your lower lash line and lightly smudge.
Add color to your lower lashes by using a wet brush to apply a layer of lilac eyeshadow over your liner.
Add black eyeliner to your upper lashes before finishing with two coats of mascara.

Smokey Eye for Blue Eyes

While a black smokey eye makes blue eyes appear a deeper shade, a smokey eye in bronze makes them appear brighter. Perfect for day or night, this warm shade always looks great on icy blue eyes. As orange is the opposite of blue on the color wheel, they are complementary colors, meaning that orange-based bronze and blue look perfect when paired next to each other. Just remember to complete this glowing update by keeping the look lighter on the inner corners of the eyes and darker on the outer corners and crease lines.

READ: Gorgeous Eyeshadow Looks For Blue Eyes

Start by using a cream-based eyeshadow in light bronze or gold.
Use a small round brush to apply the shadow to the lids from the lashes to the crease.
Then use your ring finger to gently blend the edges of the shadow and press into the inner corners of your eyes.
Use a rich bronze eyeshadow and apply above the crease of your lid, to the outer corner of your eye, and along your lower lash line.
Blend a highlighter along your brow bone and in the inner corners of your eyes.
Apply brown eyeliner to the upper lids before finishing with a coat of black mascara.

Smokey Eye for Grey Eyes

One of the biggest eye makeup trends to emerge in recent years is burgundy eyeshadow. While beauty insiders used to steer away from eyeshadows with red undertones for fear that it would make eyes look bloodshot; they now embrace the color wholeheartedly. With its rich brown hue, a burgundy smokey eye best suits the steely cool look of grey eyes. Perfect for an alternative to black on a night out, burgundy makes grey eyes smolder. If you’re still worried about this bold color being too much; gradually build and layer your shadow until you reach your desired tone.

After applying makeup primer, use a medium flat brush to press burgundy eyeshadow onto your lids from lashes to the crease.
Use a small angled brush and apply the same eyeshadow to your lower lash line.
Use a medium-soft brush to apply a matte warm brown or peach shadow on and above the crease of your eye; blending with the burgundy in a sweeping motion.
Rim eyes with warm brown eyeliner and smudge.
Apply two or three coats of black mascara and pair it with a nude lip.

Smokey Eye Makeup for Hazel Eyes

Just like how blue eyes look good with a complimentary warm shadow; warm hazel eyes look stunning when paired with cool navy tones. The contrasting hue is rich and robust, adding a strong dose of color where it’s needed. Although the navy has a seductive effect similar to that of the classic black smokey eye; the blue hue still feels more updated and modern than black, making it a fun alternative.

Apply a warm, matte brown eyeshadow on and above the crease of your eye with a soft brush.
Line both lash lines with chocolate brown liner and smudge with a pencil brush.
Press navy eyeshadow onto the outer third of your lids and blend across.
Line the inner rim of your lower lid with a black, waterproof liner.
Add a shimmery highlighter to the inner corner of your eyes before finishing with mascara.

Smokey Eye Makeup for Green Eyes

While contrasting colors often work well when it comes to eye makeup; sometimes the most dramatic look is a matching hue. Adding emerald green eyeshadow to your green eyes will create a stunning result, like a sea of green. Exciting, sensual, and romantic, this gorgeous color is perfect for special occasions and playing up your unique eye color. Just make sure to pick a sparkly, jewel-toned green shadow to avoid looking dull, or worse, ill!

Start by applying cream or nude-colored shadow to your eyelids and creases, as well as to the inner corners of your eyes.
Use a small rounded brush to apply your emerald shadow to the inner corner of your eyes before sweeping across your lids.
Apply a dark brown matte shadow to the outer corner of your eye and blend with the emerald.
Use an angled brush to create a wing on the outer corner of your eyes with a matte black shadow. Blend back across the crease.
Apply the emerald shadow to your lower lash line, adding the brown shadow to the outer half. And finish with black eyeliner and mascara.

Colored Smokey Eyes

While black smokey eye makeup will always be a classic look, colored smokey eyes offer unexpectedly beautiful results. More modern and vibrant than plain black, colored smokey eyes are bold and can be highly flattering. One of the major benefits of this style is that it is lighter than black; meaning that if you go a bit overboard, you won’t end up looking like you’ve been in a fight! Colored looks are also easier to pull off in the daytime than vampish blacks and are less vulnerable to visible smudging. All you need to do to make this look work is to pick the right modern shade for your eye color.