Smokey Eye Tips

The smoky eye is a popular and sultry makeup trick that can give you beautiful eyes. Whether it be a nighttime look you are trying to achieve or the need for something new, following a step-by-step smokey eye how-to will give you the eyes you desire.

Applying the Base

1. The first step in creating the smokey eye look is to have the right materials. You will need primer for the eyelid, black eyeliner (pencil or liquid) and black, silver or grey eye shadows. Choosing a brand is up to you, but MAC, Revlon and products from Sephora are all great choices. The primer is used to guard the makeup of any oil or grease that might be on the lids. The palette of blacks, silvers and greys are color combinations that will give the best results for a smokey look.

Creating the Look

2. The first part of application is to add the primer to the lid to guard against oil on the skin. After primer has been applied, you will need to apply your liner above the upper lashes, right along the rim of the lid. This step is followed by applying a base coat of black or grey makeup to the upper lid. It is important to stay within the upper crease of the lid. Remember that this is a bold look. Don't be afraid to apply enough of the dark color to achieve the look you are going for. Once the upper lid color has been applied, you can follow with a blended lining of eyeliner on the bottom lid. Because you are going for a smokey look, it's important to continuously blend and lightly smudge the liner so it looks even and smooth.

Finishing Touches

3. To match the smokey look that you have achieved, you should follow up with a coat of black mascara on the upper and bottom lashes. Make sure not to pump the mascara brush in and out of the bottle, because this leads to air bubbles getting trapped inside, which causes the mascara to clump. To add the finishing touches, use an eyelash curler to extend the lashes.