Makeup: step by step to smokey eyes

A smokey eye is purely a blended eye – technically any colour or style can pass. When you smoke something out, it becomes classed as smokey (sounds very common sense I know). Nevertheless, a smokey eye with grey/black tones is a classic and the best thing about it, it’s far easier to achieve then it looks.

1.)

I would start with the eyes first for two reasons: eye shadow pigment can fall under your eyes during application, plus, when you start with your eyes first, you can blend your foundation around your shadow, creating a softer effect.. I prepped my eyes with foundation and powder, then applied this “Bourjois Colorband 2-in-1 eye shadow and liner”, in shade “grid graffiti”. Online, this comes up as £5.99. I love this stick. It leaves a smooth effect, although I probably would not wear it on it’s own. It works better as a base with other eye shadow.

Creamy eye shadow pens really bring this look to life. However, you can find a similar shades in pigments. Sweep across your lid and do not worry at this point about blending.

2.) 

I went for a Lancome eye shadow palette. You will need a matte black eye shadow and a medium grey (something similar to the middle colour).

Take the black and a small eye shadow brush, and tap across the outer edges of your eyes. Once this area is covered, use the excess on your brush to bring the black more towards the middle. Blend using a blending brush.

3.

Use your bronzer and a fluffy blending brush, and apply directly across your crease. A bronzer helps to add some warmth. Using a brown eye shadow will not work as well, because the shade will most likely be too pigmented.

This is  really where you get to blend. Remember this is the kind of look that does not require precision. It does need to be well blended with no harsh lines though. Blend the black on the lid and then blend around the bronzer.

4.)

Going back to the medium grey eye shadow colour I spoke about on step 2, use a small eye shadow brush again, and apply across the top of your eyelid. The brush really needs to be small so it avoids going into your crease. Use the bronzer almost as a guide and apply just below. Then use your blending brush and blend upwards. Take each section and keep blending in upward motions until the shadow becomes soft.

5.)

If you struggle with eyeliner, this look can help camouflage any mistakes. Take a fine brush, lift your eyelid and blend a black line with black eye shadow. Then take either a pencil or gel eyeliner and draw a line over it.

As you can see, my liner is a little smudged. I would not advise drawing a flick as I think the idea of a perfect flick goes against the lived in effect.

I recommend lashings of mascara! Also take a fine brush and apply colour under your eyes. Use your fingers to soften.

6.) 

When your eye shadow is complete, take some moisturiser or eye makeup remover and wipe under your eyes with a cotton pad. A beauty blender was my tool for this look. I found it easier to blend around the eyes instead of a brush. Then, apply your foundation and powder as usual.

I avoided using blusher as I thought it would be too overpowering. I used a bronzer on my cheekbones to add warmth, followed by my Benefit “Sugarbomb face powder” to highlight.

Tips:

• BLEND, BLEND BLEND! This look needs to be soft as smokey eyes are really about blended eyes.
• I would not use any shimmer under the eyebrows. Instead, use a concealer a shade or two lighter than your skin tone, as a natural highlight.
• Avoid going too heavy on your eyebrows.