A bold smoky eye look is a timeless makeup style that exudes drama, sophistication, and allure. Whether you’re heading to a special event, a night out, or just want to elevate your makeup routine, a smoky eye can instantly make a statement. It’s a versatile look that can be customized with different colors, intensities, and finishes to suit your personal style.
In this detailed step-by-step guide, we’ll show you how to create a bold smoky eye look, from prepping your eyelids to blending those deep, sultry shades. Whether you’re a makeup novice or a seasoned pro, we’ve got you covered with tips, techniques, and product recommendations.
What You’ll Need
Before we get started, make sure you have the following tools and products:
- Eye Primer: To create a smooth base and make your eyeshadow last longer.
- Eyeshadow Palette: Look for a palette that includes both matte and shimmer shades in dark tones like black, charcoal, brown, or deep purple. The palette should also include lighter shades for blending and highlighting.
- Eyeliners: A dark pencil liner for your waterline and a gel or liquid liner for your upper lash line.
- Mascara: A volumizing mascara will help open up your eyes and balance out the heavy eye makeup.
- Blending Brushes: A fluffy blending brush for seamless transitions, and a smaller precision brush for applying shadows to the lower lash line.
- Brow Pencil/Gel: To define and shape your brows.
- Makeup Remover: To clean up any fallout or smudging along the way.
Step 1: Prime Your Eyelids
The first step in creating any bold eye look is to prep your eyelids. Applying an eye primer will not only help the eyeshadow adhere better to your skin, but it will also prevent creasing and keep your eye makeup intact throughout the night.
Use your fingertip or a flat brush to apply a thin layer of primer all over your eyelid, extending to the brow bone. Let it set for a few seconds before moving on to the next step.
Tip: If you don’t have an eye primer, you can also use a small amount of concealer to prep your eyelids.
Step 2: Apply a Neutral Base Color
For the best smoky eye, start by applying a neutral base color across the entire eyelid to even out the skin tone and create a smooth surface for the darker shades to blend into.
Choose a light, matte shade that’s close to your skin tone. Use a flat eyeshadow brush to apply the color all over the lid, from the lash line to the brow bone. This base layer helps to set your primer and will act as a transition shade when blending the deeper smoky hues later.
Step 3: Define the Crease with a Transition Shade
A good smoky eye relies on flawless blending, and the key to that is using a soft transition shade in the crease. This will add depth and dimension to your eyes, making the look more dramatic and well-balanced.
Pick a medium matte shade, like a warm taupe or soft brown, and use a fluffy blending brush to apply it into the crease of your eye. Start by placing the product in the outer corner of the crease and blend it inwards, using small circular motions. The goal is to create a seamless gradient between the lighter base shade and the darker eyeshadow you’ll apply later.
Tip: Be patient with blending—smooth transitions make all the difference in a professional-looking smoky eye.
Step 4: Apply a Darker Shade to the Outer Corner
This is where the magic happens. To create a bold, smoky effect, apply a deep, dark eyeshadow (such as black, charcoal, deep brown, or even dark purple) to the outer corner of the eyelid. This helps add intensity to the look and enhances the “smoky” effect.
Using a dense eyeshadow brush, pack the dark color into the outer V of your eyelid (the outer third of your lid, close to the lash line) and blend it upwards into the crease. Focus on building up the color slowly, layering it until you achieve your desired level of intensity. The darker shade should gradually fade into the transition shade without any harsh lines.
Tip: Keep the darkest shade concentrated in the outer corner and avoid dragging it too far toward the inner corner, as this can make your eyes look smaller.
Step 5: Add Depth with a Darker Eyeliner
To further intensify the smoky look, it’s essential to line your upper lash line with a dark eyeliner. This helps to create a solid base for the eyeshadow and makes the eyes appear larger and more defined.
Use a gel or liquid eyeliner in black or dark brown, and apply it as close to your upper lash line as possible. You can either go for a thin line or build it up to create a thicker, more dramatic look. If you prefer a softer finish, smudge the eyeliner out with a pencil brush or small blending brush to create a smokier effect.
Tip: If you want an even more intense look, apply eyeliner to your waterline and tightline (the upper inner rim of the eyelid) to make the lashes appear fuller.
Step 6: Blend, Blend, Blend
The key to a bold smoky eye is seamless blending. Take your fluffy blending brush and use it to soften any harsh lines between the dark and transition shades. Blend the eyeshadow upward toward the brow bone and inward toward the inner corner of your eyelid, making sure there are no sharp edges or noticeable lines.
Tip: Don’t be afraid to go back and forth with the transition shades if the dark color looks too intense. Keep blending until the shadows meld into each other, creating a soft, smoky gradient.
Step 7: Highlight the Inner Corner and Brow Bone
To balance out the bold, smoky eyes, it’s essential to highlight the inner corner of your eye and the brow bone. A bright, shimmering eyeshadow or highlighter will help open up the eyes and add dimension to the look.
Using a small, precise brush, apply a light, shimmery shade (champagne, gold, or pearl) to the inner corner of your eyes. Then, use a larger brush to highlight the brow bone just under the arch of your eyebrows.
Tip: For a more dramatic highlight, use a highlighter that matches the shimmer in your eyeshadow. This creates a more cohesive, balanced look.
Step 8: Apply Mascara and False Lashes
No bold smoky eye is complete without voluminous lashes. Curl your lashes with an eyelash curler, then apply a generous coat of volumizing mascara. Focus on the roots of your lashes to give them extra lift, and make sure to coat both the upper and lower lashes.
If you want to add even more drama, apply a pair of false lashes. Choose lashes that are thick and full to complement the intensity of the smoky eye. Carefully apply the lashes using lash glue and let them dry for a few seconds before gently pressing them onto your lash line.
Tip: If you’re new to false lashes, use a small pair of individual lashes for a more natural look that still adds volume and length.
Step 9: Clean Up Any Fallout
After creating such a bold eye, it’s common to have some eyeshadow fallout on your cheeks. Use a makeup wipe or a cotton pad soaked in micellar water to gently clean up any excess eyeshadow or mascara that may have transferred.
Tip: For an extra sharp eye look, you can use makeup remover to clean up the edges of your eyeshadow, creating a defined, clean line.
Step 10: Finish the Rest of Your Makeup
Now that your smoky eye is complete, finish the rest of your makeup. Apply your foundation, blush, bronzer, and lipstick to complement your dramatic eye look. For a bold smoky eye, you may want to opt for a nude or neutral lip colour to keep the focus on your eyes.
If you prefer a more daring look, a deep red or berry lip can complement the intensity of the smoky eye. Just be sure to balance the rest of your makeup so the eyes remain the focal point.
Conclusion
Mastering a bold smoky eye can be a game-changer for your makeup routine. It’s a versatile and timeless look that works for any occasion, from a night out to a special event. With the right tools, products, and techniques, you can easily create a smoky eye that’s as subtle or as dramatic as you like.