Making a smokey eye that doesn't leave you looking like a raccoon
can be difficult. However, with practice and the right tips you will
will find yourself able to make a beautiful smokey eye.
It's fair to say you will have to experiment with holding your brush at just the right angle for the application you like best, which amount of pressure to use when applying the colors, what colors you prefer and make your eyes stand out, and how to blend the lighter colors into the darker colors.
Practice, practice, practice.
Here are the basic smokey eye make up tip equipment and color choices. You can experiment and pick and choose what you like and what works for you.
Eyeshadow Colors: Using black or gray eyeshadow without proper application and blending can cause your look to veer a little "goth". In many cases it's wise to avoid these darker shades.
Try violet, chocolate, coffee, dark pink, copper, dark green or purple, etc.
Eyeliner Colors: A dark grey, charcoal or black.
Here is the basic smokey eye make up tip technique. As mentioned above, practice and play around until you get the feel and the look you like. Then repeat it over and over until you've memorized it.
Step 1: Apply a crystalline or other highlighter shade on just your brow bone. Applying it to the whole lid can cause your darker colors to look muddy when they are applied over it. Apply a little crystalline along your lower lash line and right at the tear duct to help eyes look wide and "open".
Step 2: Using a taupe, nude, or sand color and apply just to your eyelid.
Step 3: Use a flat edge brush for this part. Rub the side of the bristles in your darker color. Then hold the brush almost vertically, with the flat edge touching your eyelashes. Sweep the color straight up to just above the eyelid crease. It's all about technique here. You need to be able to see this color a little above your crease when your eyes are open.
Step 4: Finally, use your darkest color for this step. It can be dark brown, metallic colors, darker purples and greens, whatever. Use the same technique and sweep the color from your eyelashes up to just below the crease. Too high and you'll cover all your Step 3 work. Blend very well so the colors merge seamlessly.
Step 5: Using a soft pencil eyeliner in black or charcoal, line all the way around your top and bottom lids. Using your finger or a sponge tip, smudge the eyeliner, so it isn't a distinct line. If you prefer, you can apply your mascara first, so you can blend any mistakes into the eyeliner. You can also use eyeshadow and an eyeshadow brush to line your eyes.
Step 6: Now use a very dark eyeshadow (black, dark grey, very dark purples or maroons, etc.) and smudge it into the pencil line and out and around your whole eye. (Don't smudge over your tear duct!)
Step 7: Finally, apply (a lot of) mascara and curl your lashes. This will finish your smokey eyes.
Using this smokey eye make up tip and a little practice, you'll have gorgeous eyes in no time. Enjoy turning heads!
It's fair to say you will have to experiment with holding your brush at just the right angle for the application you like best, which amount of pressure to use when applying the colors, what colors you prefer and make your eyes stand out, and how to blend the lighter colors into the darker colors.
Practice, practice, practice.
Basic Equipment
Here are the basic smokey eye make up tip equipment and color choices. You can experiment and pick and choose what you like and what works for you.
Eyeshadow Colors: Using black or gray eyeshadow without proper application and blending can cause your look to veer a little "goth". In many cases it's wise to avoid these darker shades.
Try violet, chocolate, coffee, dark pink, copper, dark green or purple, etc.
Eyeliner Colors: A dark grey, charcoal or black.
Basic Technique
Here is the basic smokey eye make up tip technique. As mentioned above, practice and play around until you get the feel and the look you like. Then repeat it over and over until you've memorized it.
Step 1: Apply a crystalline or other highlighter shade on just your brow bone. Applying it to the whole lid can cause your darker colors to look muddy when they are applied over it. Apply a little crystalline along your lower lash line and right at the tear duct to help eyes look wide and "open".
Step 2: Using a taupe, nude, or sand color and apply just to your eyelid.
Step 3: Use a flat edge brush for this part. Rub the side of the bristles in your darker color. Then hold the brush almost vertically, with the flat edge touching your eyelashes. Sweep the color straight up to just above the eyelid crease. It's all about technique here. You need to be able to see this color a little above your crease when your eyes are open.
Step 4: Finally, use your darkest color for this step. It can be dark brown, metallic colors, darker purples and greens, whatever. Use the same technique and sweep the color from your eyelashes up to just below the crease. Too high and you'll cover all your Step 3 work. Blend very well so the colors merge seamlessly.
Step 5: Using a soft pencil eyeliner in black or charcoal, line all the way around your top and bottom lids. Using your finger or a sponge tip, smudge the eyeliner, so it isn't a distinct line. If you prefer, you can apply your mascara first, so you can blend any mistakes into the eyeliner. You can also use eyeshadow and an eyeshadow brush to line your eyes.
Step 6: Now use a very dark eyeshadow (black, dark grey, very dark purples or maroons, etc.) and smudge it into the pencil line and out and around your whole eye. (Don't smudge over your tear duct!)
Step 7: Finally, apply (a lot of) mascara and curl your lashes. This will finish your smokey eyes.
Using this smokey eye make up tip and a little practice, you'll have gorgeous eyes in no time. Enjoy turning heads!
