How To Do Smokey Eye Makeup
Beauty trends come and go but few looks are more enduring than the smokey eye. The reason for its perennial popularity? The smokey eye is versatile, universally flattering, and is ever evolving to meet current trends and tastes. Characterized by its smoked-out, hazy, smudgy effects, the smokey eye look runs the full spectrum of styles from classic to edgy, and everything in between. But its coolness comes with practice. There’s a delicate balance of blended shades to create the perfect smokey eye. And, whether you’re a pro at nailing the smokey eye and want some new twists on it, or you want to master the perfect smokey eye look, our guide has everything you need.
“The smokey eye is an effortless eyeshadow look that anyone can crush. It just takes a few tips and tricks to get that balance just right for the style of smokey you’re going for,” explains Janeena Rumsey, Glo’s Global Artistry Lead.
“And, there are so many variations on the smokey eye, it changes each season. You can use any mix of colors you like, you just always need one smoked element to give it that signature sultry look.”
What Is a Smokey Eye?
First up, let’s define what a smokey eye actually is. “It’s a blended or diffused eyeshadow effect that adds dimension to the eye area,” explains Janeena. “It’s all about building up layers with different shades and finishes like matte or metallic, to create depth, starting with dark and fading out.”
How To Do a Smokey Eye
Blending is key to achieving the perfect smokey eye. “Make sure to really build out the intensity with your darkest color at the lash line area to help make your eyes pop,” she shares. “Your brush choice will also be important to helping layer effectively and load with just the right amount of shadow.”
Generally, a classic smokey eye look usually uses browns, charcoals and grays, or the darkest version of other colors for a more modern take, then is blended with creams, beiges, and other highlighter shades.
Here’s a step by step guide on how to do a classic smokey eye look:
Step 1. Shade the entire lid with a light to mid-toned eyeshadow to create an even base layer.
Step 2. Tightline eyes and fill the waterline with a dark-hued eyeliner or Cream Stay Shadow Stick. Smudge and blend it out with a detailed blending brush.
Step 3. Choose a matte shadow that’s slightly deeper than your skin tone (transition shade) and blend into and above the crease.
Step 4. Bring definition and depth to the crease and lash line using the deepest shadows in your shade mix. Fuse all shades together with a clean, fluffy eye-blending brush for a seamless blend.
Step 5. Accent the brow bone and inner corners with lighter matte or metallic highlight shades.
Step 6. Tie the whole look together with a generous coat of mascara on upper and lower lashes.
If you’re looking for some current smokey eye makeup looks that are oh-so fresh and relevant, here are five of our favorites, as demonstrated by Janeena.
5 of the Best Smokey Eye Makeup Looks For Different Occasions
The Copper + Plum Shade Smokey Eye
“This is such a beautiful and eye-catching take on the classic smokey eye, combining such pretty shades into a really fresh look.”
How to Achieve the Copper and Plum Smokey Eye Look:
Step 1. Add shape and a light wash of color by blending Cream Stay Shadow Stick in Wicker along the entire lash line and lid, then blend through the crease to soften.
Step 2. For added depth and a color pop, line the upper and lower lash lines with Cream Stay Shadow Stick in Concord. For a deeper smokey eye, tightline and fill the waterline as well. Blend until seamless.
Step 3. Top lids with Skin Glow Powder Highlighter in Cognac for a warm, bronzed glow.
Step 4. Coat lashes with Lash Lengthening Mascara for length and definition.
The Grungy Smokey Eye
“For those times you want to add a little edge to your smokey eye, this will be your go-to.”
How to Achieve the Grungy Smokey Eye Look:
Step 1: Swatch Bonbon Cream Stay Shadow Stick onto lids and lower lash line, then blend out to create your desired eye shape.
Step 2: Add a second layer of Bonbon to outer corners for extra depth and blend until seamless.
Step 3: Apply Pitch Cream Stay Shadow Stick to the waterline then blend into Bonbon.
Step 4: Add a generous coat of Water Resistant Mascara to upper and lower lashes.
The Cool Smokey Eye Look
“Easy and effortlessly chic, this cool smokey eye is so versatile for day or night.”
How to Achieve the Cool Smokey Eye Look:
Mainly using the Elemental Shadow Palette
Step 1: Start by creating natural shape and contour to eyes by blending Cosmic into crease.
Step 2: Then add Relic to outer “V” area of the eyes and bring it down to the lower lashline and give it a good blend.
Step 3: Line and shade lids with Cream Stay Shadow Stick in Orbit, then blend to soften.
Step 4:Top Orbit with the shade Dusk for metallic shimmer.
Step 5: Deepen outer corners and lash line even more with a bit of Eclipse, then blend.
Step 6: Give lashes a generous coat of Water Resistant Mascara.
Metallic Smokey Eye Makeup Look
“A more dramatic and elevated smokey eye, the metallics in this look creates strong depth and dimension.”
How to Achieve the Metallic Smokey Eye Look:
Using the Warm Smokey Eye Quad
Step 1: Apply Frolic to lids for an even canvas to start blending on top.
Step 2: Blend Dolce into crease and lower lashline.
Step 3: Add Whiskey to the center of lids and fuse into Dolce.
Step 4: Add highlight touches to brow bones and inner corner of eyes with Linger.
Step 5: Coat upper and lower lashes with Volumizing Mascara for extra thickness.
The Fresh Smokey Eye
If you’re looking for a versatile look that is equal parts natural and fresh, this variation on the smokey eye is the way to go. The smokey eye look is usually known as a nighttime look, but this version can be worn in any setting.
“This is a fresh and modern take on the smokey eye, perfect for summer or daywear,” says Janeena.
How to Do the Fresh Smokey Eye Look:
Step 1: Blend Cream Stay Shadow Stick in Echo into the crease and lower lash line to create subtle depth and shape.
Step 2: Sketch a second layer of this same shade along the upper lash line and connect to the outer lower lash line, creating a winged shape. Blend outward.
Step 3: Highlight inner corners with Cream Stay Shadow Stick in Beam to open the eye space.
Step 4: Finish with a few coats of Volumizing Mascara for extra fluffy lashes.
“Ultimately the smokey eye is all about you and your style, so play, experiment, and discover new eyeshadow techniques, shades, and applications," says Janeena. Whether you're into more earthy shades or want to weave in more unexpected hues, the sky’s the limit with the smokey eye.
