How to Do a Smokey Eye in 6 Easy Steps
Smokey eyes have been at the height of beauty and sophistication for a millennium.
It has been the symbol and definition of sex appeal for thousands of years. This makeup look dated back as far as Ancient Egypt, with Queen Nefertiti and famous Cleopatra rocked the black liner and Smokey eye look as a status symbol. Although the technique and application has changed, not to mention product improvement from basic Kohl eyeliner, Smokey eyes still remain a symbol of bold confidence, strength, and sensuality.
However, many can agree that achieving this look so that it’s up to par with today’s standards and modern blending techniques can be easier said than done.
Weather you want to achieve a Taupe-y Brown Smokey Eye, Rose gold Shimmer Smokey Eye or Traditional Charcoal Violet Smokey Eye; Today we’re going to show you a simple breakdown on how to do every Smokey eye in 6 easy steps.
I have found that when it comes to a Smokey-Eye, the best way to achieve success is through usage of particular types of makeup brushes. It is night and day in comparison. You'll still need to put in some practice to get the blending technique down, but this is a basic guideline is all you need to perfect your craft.
So invest in 3 different makeup brushes (of which we will cover) and you will be amazed at the difference in the results you will achieve with your makeup.
Step 1. Be sure to start by using a primer on your eyelids. This will keep the product locked in all day and to prevent creasing. Best to use a CC cream or concealer, which has a primer effect within the product. My go to product for this is, Bye Bye Under eye by IT Cosmetics. Or a colour corrector by Morphe Cosmetics with mixed with concealer, my go to is Mac Cosmetics, Pro Longwear Paint Pot or MAC Studio FX smooth wear concealer.
Apply products and take your beauty blender or sponge and blend the accordingly, dabbing and smoothing product over. This will lock in eye shadow pigment in the next step, help with longevity and avoid smudging. * For the extra careful or extra messy artist – eye bibs are great for less fallout and easier clean up. Micellar water, cotton swabs and q tips near by!
Step 2: To keep it simple, choose three shades your going to use. I recommend that they be within the same range of colour scheme. Ie. Cool Tones, Warm Tones, matte vs. shimmer, with shades ranging from Light, Medium, and Dark.
Step 3. After you have chosen your three colours. Grab your eye shadow palette and apply your base eye shadow color (or lightest eye shadow colour) along the top eyelid, this will be the lightest colour. If you're going for a dark Smokey eye, your first base color should be the lightest shade, do not start with the darkest shade. Start with the lightest. It will help for blending purposes and it is easier. Start applying the lighter shade from your outer lash line and working upwards to your crease and under your brow bone.
A golden rule with a Smokey eye is that you can always increase the intensity with dark pigment but once you have to try and lighten it, it's much more challenging and you might have to start all over. Better to slowly increase the depth of the Smokey eye.
Step 4: Use a brush to dip into the medium smoky eye shadow colour. Tap off excess product and apply this to your crease. Apply to the crease, starting from the outer corner of the eye, and into the crease, three quarter ways in with more product for the medium shade, using a ponytail shadow brush. Use the brush in small, circular motions while adding the product from the outer corner of the eye moving inward in the crease in a swiping back and forth motion to blend. The medium shadow you will take across the crease.
Step 5. Finally, use a blending crease brush (my go to is M330 Blending Crease brush by Morphe Cosmetics $8.00) to dip into the darkest eyeshadow color. Tap off excess product and apply this small dark amount of pigment to your outer crease only. Starting from the very lower outer corner of the eye, and ever so slightly into the inner crease, three quarter ways in.
Use the brush in small patting and swooping motions while adding the product from the outer corner of the eye moving inward but not as far across as the medium shadow. Grab a small detail crease brush and softly blend back and forth. (My go to for small crease detail brushes is again by Morphe Cosmetics E36- Detail Brush $7.00. ) The darkest colour you want more precise and defined and less thick when blended out like the medium shade was thicker when blended out. If you want an even bolder Smokey eye, run the detail brush with a tiny bit of dark pigment shadow along the bottom of your water line to act as a soft but dramatic eyeliner.
If your smoky eye looks too heavy, grab a clean brush and use it to blend the existing product. Finally, take the lightest color you applied as the base and apply a small amount of it out the center of the lid to create dimension. (My go to is a slightly larger fluffy brush for blending such as Mac Cosmetics 217 Synthetic Blending Brush $30.00.) Tap brush onto softest shadow colour and then swoop back and forth under the brow bone and then in small circular motion in corners for a soft proper blending technique and for final blended look and a clean transition of colors.
Step 6: Now that the tricky shadow blending is complete, it's time for the finishing touches. That sexy, smokey, sultry effect isn't complete without adding your dark eyeliner and favorite mascara and lashes. Whether you prefer liquid or a pencil, start from the outer corner of your eyes, working your way inwards. For that Sarah Jessica Parker tight-lined look, you can apply a matte pencil liner to the inner rims of your eyes. Or as mentioned above, run a small brush and shadow powder along the waterline to enhance the rich evening look for a softer, less harsh eyeliner look.
You might need to clean up the look a little bit after application. Use your Micellar water and q tips or makeup remover clothes this to clean up any fallout and to even out the eye lines. You can always pop some highlighter to the inner corners of the eyes, for that extra spark. Use a setting spray for final touches and then apply mascara and or your favorite lashes and Enjoy your makeup in Muskoka, Toronto or anywhere in Canada. Voila! Smokey Eye Blending Perfection!
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