Smokey Eye Tutorial

Warning: Picture heavy!

The one look I get asked about the most, is the smokey eye so I thought I would do a step-by-step tutorial on how to do that.

A misconception is that a smokey eye is with black eyeshadow. I have never done a smokey eye with black eyeshadow simply because I think it's too harsh. You can use green, blue, purple, brown, grey... The point of the smokey eye is the gradual fading of color from your lash line and upwards, with the darkest color closest to the lash line.

Here is the finished look:

Never mind the brands of makeup that I use. Use whatever you've got!

1. Start by applying an eyeshadow base. I used Urban Decay Primer potion

2. Apply a soft brown (or black or gray if you wish) eyeliner along the lash line and underneath the bottom lashes. This is not supposed to be a perfect line as we will smudge it next.....

3. Smudge it carefully (never rub hard on the eye area!) with your finger, a pencil brush or a Q-tip. It will look something like the picture on the left when you're done.

4. Add a lighter base color to the rest of your lid and up to the eyebrow. I used Mac Brule eyeshadow.

5. Add a transition color in the crease. This will be the second darkest color you use. I used Mac Quarry for this. Very often I use Mac Soft Brown which is very pretty and a warmer brown.
It's important that you use a soft blending brush. My favorite is Mac 217.

6. Time to add the darkest color to your lid, mainly as a thick "line" along your lash line. I used Mac Handwritten (plum purple brownish). With a pointed brush, add some of this color underneath the bottom lashes/onto the lashes too. Then take a fluffy brush and blend the dark color up to meet the transition color in the crease. Be careful not to blend the two colors together!

7. For a fun effect and the little "omph!" to the look, add a highlighter to your tear duct and along the brows. I used Mac Nylon. LOVE!

8. Apply a soft black eyeliner along the upper lash line and on the tight line - meaning, on the waterline on upper lash line and bottom. Carefully smudge the upper lash line with a pointed brush just to soften it up.

9. For a fun effect, apply a shimmery color along your bottom lash line. I used a favorite: Mac Sable.

10. Fill in your brows if that is needed and curl the lashes!

11. Mascara! Finally! I'm starting to feel a little more "me" :) I am using YSL Shocking

12. Apply foundation and at the same time clean up the area around your eyes since you are bound to have some dark eyeshadow fallout. My choice of foundation is Neutrogena Healthy Skin Liquid Makeup in the color Natural Tan (no 100). Last seen here.

13. Set the foundation with powder. I'm using Mac Mineralize Skinfinish Natural in color Medium Deep. Leave the area underneath your eyes!

14. Wow... I can't believe you're still hanging in there!! I really went all out with the pictures this time! LOL
Anyway.. time for highlighter underneath the eyes! Love this step! I'm using Estee Lauder Ideal Light Brush-on Illuminator in number 01.

15. Don't forget the blush!! I love a brighter pink for a dark smokey eye. This is such a beautiful color: Bobbi Brown Peony.

16. Never a look without highlight on your cheekbones!! This is a HG highlighter: Mac Trace Gold. That reminds me to get another one... Use a smaller fluffy brush to place your highlighter where you want it and not all over the place!
Oh, and look! She smiles! lol

17. ..... and MORE highlighting! Along the bridge of the nose and cupid's bow. Now you are done (with the highlighter that is)

18. Then lips! I applied Mac Dervish lipliner with Mac Viva Glam V. -I wasn't happy with that so I applied Mac Partial to Pink Creme Sheen on top for a more pink color.

Voila! All done! ♥