How to Do Smokey Eye Shadow

Master the Mesmerizing Smokey Eye Makeup Look

The smokey eye is sultry, smoldering and always in style. From a soft daytime haze to a dramatic evening smoke, this versatile makeup technique flatters every face. While beautiful, the smokey eye can seem intimidating to achieve.How to do smokey eye shadow? Follow this step-by-step guide to easily master the art of a flawless smokey eye in any intensity you desire.

Choose Your Color Palette

The beauty of smokey eyes is you can create dimension with endless color combinations.How to do smokey eye shadow? The key is choosing hues just 2-3 shades apart.

Classic Combos:

•  Grays and blacks
•  Browns from tan to espresso
•  Purples from mauve to eggplant
•  Blues from powder to navy
•  Greens ranging olive to emerald

Dramatic Mixes:

•  Red with black
•  Plum with burgundy
•  Copper with bronze
•  Navy with charcoal
•  Green with teal

Use matte shades for the base and add pops of shimmer on the lid or inner corners. Reach for highly pigmented powder formulas that apply evenly.

Prep Eyes for Seamless Application

How to do smokey eye shadow? Starting with a smooth, primed canvas ensures long-lasting smokey eyes:

1. Conceal under eyes – Cover any discoloration with a full-coverage concealer like NARS Radiant Creamy. This provides a clean slate.

2. Set concealer – Lightly dust a translucent powder under eyes to lock concealer in place.

3. Prime lids – Apply an eyeshadow primer like Urban Decay Primer Potion from lashline to browbone. Primer grips pigment.

4. Add cream base – For extra intensity, layer a creamy nude or bone shade from lashline to crease as an eyeshadow base.

5. Set with powder – Lightly dust a skin-tone powder over the cream base to make it smudge-resistant.

With eyes prepped, smokey shadow application will be evening, blended and smudge-proof.

Follow a Foolproof Application Order

How to do smokey eye shadow? Layering shades strategically gives smokey depth and dimension. Apply in this order:

1. Base color – Start with the lightest color across the entire lid from lashline to crease. Use fluffy brush.

2. Define crease – Deepen the crease by stippling the medium color into the crease line only, blending up toward brow.

3. Smoke the outer V – Load the darkest shade on an angled brush and layer it on the outer 1/3 of the lid, forming a V shape.

4. Connect lashlines – Run the same dark color along upper and lower lashlines to encircle eyes. Use a pencil brush.

5. Smoke it out – Diffuse any harsh edges on the dark shades by swirling a clean blending brush in small circles along edges.

6. Add highlights – For extra drama, press a shimmery highlight shade on the center of the lid and inner corners.

Blending and building color in incremental layers like this creates that coveted hazy, smoldered effect.

Setting and Finishes Touches

Lock in eyes intensity and polish the look with these pro tips:

•  Set with powder – Lightly veil translucent powder all over to set smokey eye and control fallout.
•  Extend lower lashes – Tightline the outer lower lashes by pressing shadow into the lashline with a brush.
•  Line upper lashes – Intensify upper lashlines using a matching gel or pencil eyeliner.
•  Coat lashes – Apply 2-3 coats of volumizing mascara on upper and lower lashes.
•  Highlight browbones – Sweep a shimmery highlight shade underneath the browbone to finish the look.
•  Finishing spray – Mist on a makeup setting spray like Urban Decay All Nighter for long-lasting wear.

With these polished touches, your smokey eye will sizzle all night.

Tips for a Flawless Smokey Eye:

•  Powder before shadowing – If you have oily lids, set primer with translucent powder before applying shadow.
•  Use the right brushes – Smudge angled liners and fluffy blenders give the most seamless smokiness.
•  Work in sections – Concentrate on the inner, outer, and lower lid areas one section at a time.
•  Set concealer well – Make sure under-eye concealer is completely set before shadowing near it.
•  Enjoy the process – Layering and blending smokey eyes takes patience, but it’s meditative too.
•  Make it easy on yourself – Tote makeup remover towelettes on the go for midday smokey eye clean ups.

With practice, the smokey eye will become your go-to look for day or night. Embrace the art of sultry, smoldered shadow!

Smokey eyes are striking and seductive while suiting nearly every face shape and eye color. With a few pro techniques like strategic layering and precise blending, you’ll be achieving flawless smoked out shadow like a pro. For an everyday daytime look or full-on evening sultriness, mastering smokey eye makeup is a beauty skill worth acquiring.