The Perfect Smoky Eye in Six Steps

In terms of makeup, is there anything sexier than a classic smoky eye? From actresses on the red carpet to supermodels on the runway, it’s hard to escape the popularity of the smoky eye. Not only will smoky eye makeup add drama and allure to your usual beauty routine, but the look is perfect for a night out on the town. If you’d like to duplicate the look of your favorite fashionistas, here’s some foolproof tips for creating the perfect smoky eye.

Gather the Right Tools

Before you start with your smoky eye endeavor, gather all the makeup and tools you’ll need throughout the process. This includes primer, cotton swabs, two or three small shadow brushes, eyeliner, makeup remover, and eye shadow. Ensure all tools and makeup are clean and of high quality, and be sure to wash your face with soap and water before putting on makeup. Tip: if you lay everything you need out on a towel before you start, you’ll save yourself time by avoiding having to search for a tool or product.

Don’t Neglect Your Brows

Before you start applying makeup, make sure your brows are tweezed and shaped to perfection because, after all, what good is a pretty painting if the frame ruins it all? By having perfectly shaped brows you’ll feel more polished and your eye makeup will look even better. If you wait until your makeup is on to pay attention to your brows, you risk smudging your work by tweezing stray hairs.

Primer & Liner

To even out your lid tone and give you a good base to start with, use a primer. Not only will primer keep your makeup from creasing and cracking over time, but it will ensure that your eye makeup stays in place for a decent amount of time. This way, if you do a smoky eye in the morning it’ll look great through the evening and into the early hours of the morning. Once the primer is in place, line the top and bottom lids with an eye pencil. If you have small eyes, apply the liner from the middle of the eye to the outside. If your eyes are large feel free to line from corner to corner.

Add the Shadow

Eye shadows are the most important product used in a smoky eye look. If you usually shy away from heavy makeup looks, you’ll want to practice the smoky eye application a few times before going out in public. Before adding the shadow, use a small eye shadow brush or Q-tip to soften the edges of the line you just drew with the pencil. Once complete, apply a dark shadow using a sponge-tip applicator, and smudge. By the time you’re through, the eyeliner should be completely smudged and blended into the shadow. The key is to blend until the eye shadow and eyeliner are indistinguishable from each other.

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The Final Touch

Now that your smoky eye is complete it’s time to add the finishing touches. Creating a smoky eye isn’t all about the eye shadow, it’s about the overall look, so paying attention to your lashes is a must. Apply two to three coats of mascara, either black or brown-black depending on the color of shadows and liners you used. For extra oomph, curl your eyelashes before applying mascara. Once complete, throw on some bright red or orange lipstick, a bit of blush, a pair of sparkly earrings and your best little black dress and you’ll be good to go!

Wearing Contacts With Makeup

Thanks to technology advancements, it’s now less intimidating for makeup wearers to use contact lenses. But before doing anything else, please remember to wash your hands. You’ll want to stay away from oily products that could cling to contacts before going in. Make sure you put your contacts in before applying your makeup. Makeup from your fingers could transfer onto your contacts and could risk infection. When you’re ready to take off your makeup, remove your contacts first. Practicing healthy makeup habits will help reduce the risk of eye infections.