Get Smokey: The Ultimate Guide to Achieving a Killer Smokey Eye Look
Oh, the smokey eye – the ultimate glam look that never goes out of style. If you’re like me, you’ve probably spent countless hours scrolling through Instagram admiring this makeup look. But let’s be real, creating a smokey eye can be a daunting task, especially if you’re a beginner. Fear not, I’m here to share with you my tips and tricks for achieving a killer smokey eye. So sit tight, grab your makeup kit, and let’s get started!
Let’s Get This Look Started: Preparation
Before we dive into the actual process of creating a stunning smokey eye, it’s essential to prepare adequately. Trust me; you don’t want to end up realizing halfway through that you don’t have the right materials! So, let’s gather everything you’ll need.
Gather the Necessary Materials
The beauty of creating a smokey eye is that it doesn’t require fancy or expensive tools. Most likely, you’ll have most of these things lying around already. Sift through your makeup bag and find:
- Eye primer
- Concealer
- Eyeshadow brushes (fluffy, blending, and angled brushes)
- An eyeshadow palette (preferably with a dark, medium, and light shade)
- Black eyeliner (pencil or liquid)
- Mascara
- Cotton swabs
- Cotton pads
If you have smudging or liner brushes on hand, you can use them too. Remember to always start with a clean face and apply your base makeup before starting.
Ready to Get Messy? Let’s Choose our Shadows for the Smokey Eye
Before diving into creating the perfect smokey eye, it’s essential to choose the right shadows. It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of using multiple colors, but it’s crucial to select the right shades that complement each other.
When I’m choosing shadows for a smokey eye, I like to consider the look I’m going for. For a classic smokey eye, I go with neutral and cool tones such as grays, taupes, and blacks. If I want a sultry and bold look, I go for darker shades such as navy blues, deep purples, and emerald greens.
I also think about the texture of the shadows. Matte shadows are ideal for crease colors, while shimmer or metallic shadows create a luminous finish on the lid. Combining both textures can add dimension and depth to the look.
It’s important to note that the quality of the shadows can make or break the final look. I suggest investing in a high-quality palette with excellent pigmentation. This way, the shadows will show up vividly on the skin and blend seamlessly.
To sum it up, choosing the right shadows sets the foundation for creating a stellar smokey eye. Take your time to find the right colors and textures that fit the look you want to achieve, and the result will be stunning.
Step 2: Applying the Base Color
Alright, so now that we’ve gathered all our materials, it’s time to start with the base color. For this step, I like to use a fluffy brush to ensure that the color is distributed evenly across my lid. When selecting your base color, you want to choose a shade that is slightly lighter than your skin tone. This will give your eye a nice clean canvas to work with. To apply the base color, dip your brush into the shadow and tap off any excess. Then, starting at the inner corner of your lid, sweep the brush across your lid to the outer corner. Make sure that you blend the color into the crease to avoid any harsh lines. Remember, you can always add more color if needed, so go ahead and start with a light hand. You want to build up the color gradually so that you can easily control the intensity. Once you’ve added the base color, make sure to blend any harsh lines with a clean blending brush. This will give your eye a smoky, gradient effect. Don’t worry if it looks a little messy at this point, we’ll be adding more colors and blending them to perfection in the following steps. So there you have it, step two in the bag! Now it’s time to move on to adding depth with the crease color. Let’s get smokin’!
Step 3: Adding Depth with the Crease Color
Alright, folks. This is where the magic happens, so pay attention. Adding depth to your Smokey Eye look is key to achieving that sultry, smoldering effect. And the best way to do that is by applying a crease color.The crease color should be slightly darker than your base color and should be applied in a windshield-wiper motion along the natural crease of your eyelid. Apply a small amount of product at a time and be sure to blend it well as you go. Your goal is to create a soft gradient effect that gradually fades from the base color to the crease color.When selecting your crease color, consider your eye shape and size. If you have small eyes, steer clear of dark and heavy colors. Instead, opt for a neutral shade or a light brown hue. If you have larger eyes, you can get away with a deeper crease color, but be sure to blend it out well to avoid any harsh lines.Remember, the crease color should add dimension and depth to your Smokey Eye, but it shouldn’t overpower the other shades. So, take your time, blend, and build up the intensity slowly until you achieve the desired effect. Trust us, it’ll be worth it.
Smoky Eye Tutorial: Step 4 – Popping the Inner Corner
Alright, folks, in this step of our smoky eye tutorial, it’s time to give your eyes that extra pop with some inner corner color. This technique is a classic way to add some brightness and dimension to your smoky eye. Here’s how I do it:
First, take a small brush and dip it into your inner corner color. This shade is typically a lighter, shimmery color that will contrast with the darker shades used on the rest of the lid.
Next, gently apply the color to the inner corner of your eye, blending it outwards slightly. This will create a subtle and flattering gradient effect, making your eyes look more awake and lively.
Remember, less is more when it comes to inner corner color. A tiny bit goes a long way, and you don’t want to overdo it and end up with a garish highlight.
And that’s it for this step! Just this subtle touch of color will make a big difference in your eye look, so give it a try and see for yourself.
Finishing Touches: Liner and Mascara for a Flawless Smokey Eye
Okay, we’re almost done here! Now that we’ve got our base shadow colors settled and the crease color has been blended to perfection, it’s time to add a little drama.
In Step 5, we’re going to line our eyes and add mascara. This is going to make all the difference in completing our fabulous Smokey Eye look.
First things first, let’s grab our eyeliner. I prefer using a black gel or liquid liner because it gives a really dark and precise line. But if you prefer pencil liners, that works too! Whatever your preferred method, apply a line as close to the lash line as possible. You can make it as thin or thick as you like, depending on how dramatic you want the look to be. If you’re feeling like a pro, you can even try winging it out for a cat-eye look.
Next up, mascara. This step is super important for adding volume and definition to your lashes. I like to curl my lashes first, but that’s not absolutely necessary. Then, starting at the base of your lashes, wiggle the mascara wand back and forth and pull up to the tips. Repeat this until you’ve achieved your desired level of thickness and length. Don’t forget to apply mascara to your bottom lashes too!
And voila! Your Smokey Eye is complete. Now go rock that sultry, mysterious look with confidence.
Conclusion: And…Voila! You’ve Got a Smokin’ Smokey Eye!
So, there you have it! Following these easy steps will help you achieve the perfect smokey eye look. And let’s be real. Who wouldn’t want to look smokin’?
Remember to take your time with each step, blending and blending until the colors seamlessly meld together. The key is to make sure the end result looks effortless, like you woke up with perfectly smudged eyes.
Also, don’t be afraid to play with different shades. While the classic black and gray look is gorgeous, you can also achieve a smokey eye look with purples, blues, and even greens. The possibilities are endless, and it’s all about finding what works best for you.
And last but not least, don’t forget to have fun with it! Makeup is all about experimenting, and the smokey eye is the perfect look to play around with different techniques and colors. So, get ready to turn heads and unleash your inner smokey eye queen!
Smokey Eye FAQ
How to do a simple black smokey eye?
First things first, when it comes to a smokey eye, always start with a primer so your eyeshadow doesn’t crease or smudge during wear. Next, apply a light neutral shade as the base color all over the lid. With a fluffy brush, blend a darker shade into the crease, making sure to blend it out evenly so there are no harsh lines. Now it’s time to add the black eyeshadow onto the outer corners of the eyelid, using a smaller brush to pack the color onto the lid. Slowly blend the black into the crease as well, but keep it concentrated on the lid to create a smoky effect. Repeat this process on the lower lash line as well, connecting the black eyeshadow from the upper lid to the lower lash line to create a cohesive look. Add mascara and/or false lashes to complete the look. Remember, practice makes perfect!
How to do smokey eye with pencil?
Honestly, doing a smokey eye can be a bit intimidating for beginners, but with a bit of practice, you’ll be a pro in no time! Here’s how I do a smokey eye with a pencil:First, start by prepping your eyelids with a prime or concealer to make sure your eye makeup stays put all day long. I usually add a bit of translucent powder on top of the primer to ensure that the pencil will glide on smoothly.Next, using a black or dark brown pencil, I start by lining my upper lash line and lower lash line. I apply a bit of pressure to create a thicker, more intense line on my upper lash line, and a lighter line on my lower lash line. Don’t worry if the line looks a bit messy! We will blend it out later.Using an angled brush or a smudge brush, I blend the pencil, starting from the outer corner of the eye and working my way inwards. I use small circular motions to blend and soften the line as I go along. The goal is to achieve a subtle gradient effect between the liner ending and the crease of the eye.Once I’m happy with the intensity of the line and the blending, I add a light shimmery eyeshadow on my lid to create a contrast between the matte eyeliner and the sparkle of the shimmer. I also like to add a lighter shade on my brow bone to highlight that area.Finally, I add a bit of mascara to add length and volume to my lashes. And voila! A beautiful smokey eye with just a pencil.With some practice, you can experiment with different colors and intensities, and create a variety of different looks. Don’t be afraid to play around and have fun with your makeup!
How to do eye makeup for beginners?
First off, let’s start with some basic eye makeup tips. Always start with a clean, blank canvas – meaning, make sure your eyelids are free from any makeup residue and dry before beginning. I like to use an eye primer to help my eyeshadow last longer and prevent any creasing. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different eyeshadow colors, but if you’re a beginner, I recommend starting with neutral colors like browns, taupes, or grays.For a basic smokey eye, I start with a medium-toned shade (like a medium brown or taupe) and apply it all over my lid. Then, I take a darker shade (like a deeper brown or gray) and apply it to the outer corner of my lid, blending it inwards towards the center of my lid. I also like to apply this darker shade lightly under my lower lash line for some added depth.To make the look even more intense, I take an even darker shade (like a black or dark gray) and apply it to the outer corner of my lid, blending it inwards towards the center just like the previous shade. However, you want to be careful not to apply too much of this dark shade, as it can easily become too overpowering.Finally, I like to finish off the smokey eye by applying a shimmery or metallic shade to the inner corner of my lid and my brow bone, which helps to brighten up the look and make it pop. Don’t forget to blend everything together to ensure there are no harsh lines!Remember, practice makes perfect, so don’t be discouraged if your first few attempts aren’t perfect. With these tips and techniques, you’ll be able to master the smokey eye in no time!