Natalie Portman, Keira Knightley, Beyonce Knowles; they are just some of the celebs who can carry off the smokey eyes look with elan and sophistication. For most women, having their eyes made up in the smokey eyes fashion is a way of awakening their inner diva. The look is smoldering, seductive, and oh-so-irresistible. It is the perfect makeup for a night out. Team it up with nude lip gloss and you are sure to be on your showstopping best. But unlike our celeb idols, we do not have a team of makeup artists ensuring that we have lips that scream kiss me, hair that is perfectly coiffed, and eyes that mesmerize. That does not mean that you cannot obtain the same look. Following the step-by-step instructions for smokey eyes given in this article will help you achieve that dramatic, intense look that will help you look like a million bucks.
Directions for Smokey Eyes
What is the most important thing that you need to master in order to apply smokey eye makeup? Well, the key to the art of getting smokey eyes right is the technique of proper blending of the different eyeshadow colors that you will use on your eyes. Patchy makeup looks disastrous to say the least, and with smokey eyes, makeup if not done properly, can leave you looking like a panda bear. So, how do you get your eye makeup right? Just follow the simple smokey eye instructions given here. Before we move on to the directions for applying smokey eye makeup, you will need to ensure that you have the following makeup items at hand.
- Primer
- Eyeliner
- Eyeshadow, a light and dark color
- Mascara
- Makeup blenders and brushes
- The first step that you need to follow to prepare your eyelids for applying smokey eye makeup is to ensure that they are devoid of oils. Apply a base layer of primer on your eyelid. This will ensure that the eyeshadow is long lasting and that it does not run through the course of the day. Once you apply the primer, allow it to dry before moving on to the next step.
- While most makeup artists tend to end their routine of applying smokey eye makeup with the mascara, I often prefer to make this one of the first steps. If you do not have naturally long and curled lashes, then use an eyelash curler on them, and then apply a few coats of mascara. Ensure that the mascara does not clump up and that it is long-lasting and waterproof.
- The next step would be to apply your eyeliner. Use a black eyeliner for the best effect, but if you want to infuse color, you could also choose from green and gray eyeliner. For the upper lid, I would suggest using a liquid eyeliner. Apply a thick line on the upper lash line and end it in a winged manner (this is a personal choice).
- For the lower lid, I would suggest using a kohl pencil, as that would give you a slightly more smudged look that works very well for smokey eyes. Once you have applied kohl on the lower lash line, smudge it a little by rubbing your finger across it.
- Now comes the part of applying the eyeshadow which is the most intrinsic and important part of this look. First apply eyeshadow in a light color. Use a cream, pink, or nude shade if possible. Use this light shade to highlight the inner corners of your eye and the brow bone area. This helps highlighting the intensity of the darker shadow that you are using.
- Next comes the important step of applying the dark eyeshadow. You need to be very good at blending the color in. It is important that the shadow remains below the crease of the eyelids. Use an eyebrow brush to blend the color in properly, starting from your lash line, blending it in the upwards direction. While blending, your eyeliner will disappear and that is key to the look. Stop the color from bleeding into the crease.
- Once you have blended the eyeshadow well, your smokey eye makeup look is done. You can use a q-tip dipped in petroleum jelly to remove any excess makeup.
You may not be a fashionista or a celeb, but this look does not necessarily have to be restricted to the red carpet. You can easily mimic this look for your own special day or for a party with your friends. Glamorous and gorgeous are two adjectives that everyone will use to describe you for sure.