Smoky Eye Makeup

You CAN achieve the perfect smoky eye makeup! Once you know the rules, you'll be set to go!

You can wear the classic smoky look during the day, to work or shopping. Just keep it soft, well-blended and subtle.

For parties or nighttime, you can jump it up a notch. Apply darker colors and load them on more heavily for an intense smoky look.

The classic smoky look employs black or gray eye shadow and eyeliner. But there are many color options you can choose from if you wish to be a little different from the norm. Try plum, green, navy, taupe, brown or any other medium to dark color. Keep it matte for a smooth look, or go shimmery for a more fun look.

Basic application:

1. Prime the entire eye area with foundation or eye shadow primer.

2. Apply your lighter color to the brow bone ONLY. You can use white, pearl, cream, beige, peach, pink or other light colors.

3. Select your dark smoky color and sweep onto eyelid using a small eye shadow brush .

4. Take an angled eyeliner brush and apply the same dark eye shadow color (or an even darker, matching one), to upper and lower eye lids, as eyeliner. Smudge and blend well. Don't apply it too heavily at the inner corner of the eye or you'll look TOO made-up.

5. Spread and blend the shadow till you achieve a smooth look. Flare the shadow slightly up and out at the outer corner of the eye for even more drama.

6. Finish with black or brown mascara.

See some examples:

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