How to do a Smokey Eye: A Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners

I. Introduction

If you’re a makeup enthusiast, chances are you’ve heard of the smokey eye. This classic look is a makeup staple, perfect for any occasion. Whether you’re going out for a night on the town or just want to add a little extra oomph to your everyday makeup routine, learning how to master the smokey eye is a must!

But where do you begin? With so many different styles and techniques, it can be overwhelming to know where to start. That’s where we come in! In this article, we’ll walk you through the basics of a smokey eye, show you how to identify your eye shape, discuss the importance of the right tools, and walk you through step-by-step guides to achieve different styles of smokey eyes.

II. Start from the Basics

Before jumping into the different styles of a smokey eye, it’s important to identify the essentials. The main elements of a smokey eye include a darker shadow or liner on the lid, a lighter shadow blended out above the crease, and a smudged out lower lash line. One important tip to keep in mind is to blend, blend, blend! A smokey eye should have no harsh lines and should seamlessly transition from dark to light.

For beginners, here’s a step-by-step guide:

Apply an eyeshadow primer to your eyelid to make your eyeshadow last longer.
Apply a light eyeshadow shade to the entire eyelid as a base.
Next, apply a medium-toned eyeshadow shade to your lid and blend it upwards towards the crease.
Using a small eyeshadow brush, apply a dark eyeshadow shade in a “V-shape” on the outer corner of the eye and blend it inwards.
Use a pencil brush to apply a dark eyeshadow shade on your lower lash line and smudge it out for a smokey effect.
Apply mascara to finish up the look

III. Different Styles for Different Eyes

One of the many great things about the smokey eye is the flexibility to switch up the style to complement your unique eye shape. Identifying your eye shape and using the right techniques can make all the difference!

Here are some styles you can try based on your eye shape:

Monolid: Focus on the upper lid rather than the crease. Create the appearance of depth by using a darker shade on the outer corner and blend it outwards.
Hooded: Use a lighter shade on the upper lid and blend it above the crease. Avoid applying a dark shade in the crease as it can emphasize the hood.
Almond: Follow the basics and switch up the shape by extending the outer corner upwards for a cat-eye effect.
Round: Extend the outer corner of the eye and bring the darker shade downwards towards the lash line.

IV. The Importance of the Right Tools

Having the right tools can make all the difference in achieving the perfect smokey eye. Some recommended tools include:

Eyeshadow Brushes: Invest in good quality brushes as they provide better control and help achieve a more precise look. A fluffy brush is ideal for blending while a small pencil brush is perfect for applying color under the lower lash line.
Eyeliner: A smudging brush or a small angled brush can help diffuse and blend out the eyeliner for a smokey effect.
Q-Tips: Q-tips dipped in makeup remover can be used to clean any smudging or mistakes.

V. Reverse Smokey Eye

The reverse smokey eye is a unique take on the classic! Instead of using darker shades on the lid, this technique uses a lighter shade while the darker shades are placed on the outer corner and blended outwards.

Here are the steps to achieve this style:

Apply an eyeshadow primer to your eyelid to make your eyeshadow last longer.
Apply a lighter shade eyeshadow to your eyelid, leaving the outer third of your eye bare.
Use a dark eyeshadow shade or eyeliner pencil to define the outer corner of your eye and the crease. Blend the edge for a smooth transition.
Using a small eyeshadow or smudging brush, apply a dark eyeshadow to your lower lash line and blend to create a smudged effect.
Finish up the look by applying mascara.

VI. Monochromatic Smokey Eye

For a monochromatic smokey eye, choose one color and use different shades of it throughout the eye. This creates a cohesive and dramatic effect.

Here’s how to achieve this style:

Apply an eyeshadow primer to your eyelid to make your eyeshadow last longer.
Choose a color and apply the darkest shade to the outer v of your eye and blend upwards into the crease.
Use the medium shade to blend the color and apply on the outer third of your eyelid.
Apply the lightest shade to the inner corners of your eyes and blend it into the center of your lid.
Trace your lower lash line with eyeliner and blend it with a small brush.
Apply mascara for a finished look.

VII. Adding Glitter

Adding glitter is a fun way to elevate your smokey eye game. Glitter can be applied on the eyelid, inner corners, or on the lower lash line for a shimmery effect.

Here’s how to add glitter to the lid:

Apply an eyeshadow primer to your eyelid to make your eyeshadow last longer.
Apply a base eyeshadow shade to your eyelid.
Use a flat brush to apply glitter on your eyelid in a patting motion.
Use a fluffy brush to blend out the edges of the glitter to avoid a harsh line.
Finish up by applying mascara.

VIII. Tips and Tricks Used by Professionals

Makeup professionals have some tips and tricks up their sleeves to make your smokey eye stand out. Here are some of the most useful:

Use Tape: Place a piece of tape at an angle on either side of the eye to get a sharp line.
Layer Eyeliner: To make your eyeliner more smudgy, apply black eyeshadow underneath to create a blurred effect.
Use a White Eyeliner: Applying a white eyeliner to your waterline can make your eyes appear bigger and brighter.
Highlight Inner Corners: Using a shimmery eyeshadow to highlight the inner corners of your eyes can make them appear more awake.
Use Lash Curler: To make your lashes appear fuller and more voluminous, use a lash curler before applying mascara.

IX. Conclusion

And there you have it! A complete guide to mastering the smokey eye. With the help of this guide, you can now confidently try different styles and experiment with different colors. Remember to practice and blend, blend, blend!

Have you tried any of the styles listed above? We’d love to see your results! Share your photos in the comments below.